Vocational Minister of the Word Ordination Program

A Vocational Minister Training and Ordination Pathway through Christian Leaders Institute and the Christian Leaders Alliance

🙏🏻 The Minister of the Word Ordination Program

The Ministry of the Word Role at Christian Leaders Alliance

The Ministry of the Word role at the Christian Leaders Alliance requires a rigorous vocational ordination program. This program is designed for those pursuing part-time or full-time ministry work.

The ordination pathway features ministry skill development, extensive academic training, soul discernment, and local endorsements that confirm readiness for vocational service.

This program includes four ministry training courses and over 120 units of academic study. The academic portion aligns with the Divinity, Christian Leadership, or Chaplaincy Associates or Bachelor Degrees offered through Leadership Excellence School at Christian Leaders Institute or the Minister of the Word Certification options at the Christian Development School.

✨ A Vocational Minister Training and Ordination Pathway

Through Christian Leaders Institute, this pathway equips you with the confidence, competence, and credibility to serve in a wide variety of ministry fields such as:

Serve as a vocational senior pastor.

Serve part-time or full-time as a minister or pastor.

Serve in vocational chaplain parishes.


Plant new churches or community ministries.

Develop and lead a vocational Soul Center.

Serve vocationally in specialized ministry areas.

And many other vocational ministry roles.

🌱 Are You Considering Vocational Ministry?

Has God stirred your heart with a desire to preach, teach, shepherd His people, or share His Word across your community—or the world?

Do you sense a calling—not just to believe the gospel, but to proclaim it, lead others into it, and live it out with integrity and compassion?

If so, the Minister of the Word Ordination Program at Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) is your pathway forward.

This is not simply a degree program—it is a journey of formation, ordination, and transformation. It equips those discerning a call to vocational ministry—whether part-time, bi-vocational, or full-time—to become faithful, competent, and Spirit-led Ministers of the Word.

🌎 A Global Vocational Pathway

The Ministry of the Word Ordination Program prepares you to serve God’s Church with academic excellence, ministry skill, spiritual maturity, and local endorsement.

It is available worldwide through two fully aligned pathways:

The Bachelor of Divinity Degree through the Leadership Excellence School.

The Minister of the Word Certification through the Christian Development School.

✅ Practical Benefits

You will receive a program with rigor similar to historic vocational pastor training.

In states that allow degree granting, completion of the Bachelor Degree (or equivalent) is required.

In non-degree states, completion of the Minister of the Word Certification is required, maintaining identical academic and ministry rigor.

The Christian Leaders Alliance Program Fee is standardized globally.

Graduates are prepared to work in ministry fields fully equipped for service.

📚 Program Focus

The Minister of the Word Program unites academic theology, practical ministry skills, and spiritual formation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Students are shaped through three interlocking dimensions:

Knowledge — Deep understanding of Scripture, theology, and ministry philosophy.

Skill — Proficiency in preaching, pastoral care, leadership, and communication.

Character — Integrity, humility, and spiritual maturity reflecting Christ in daily life.

By graduation, every participant has been thoroughly trained in the Word and tested in real ministry contexts—ready to serve confidently and compassionately as a Minister of the Word.

✏️ Program Components

Training Includes:

Conducting weddings, funerals, and other officiant occasions.

Preaching and sermon construction.

Hermeneutics, exegesis, and biblical interpretation.

Theology and philosophy integration for discernment.

Pastoral care, counseling, and crisis ministry.

Evangelism, apologetics, and missions.

Church administration and leadership.

Ethics, relational health, and communication.


Evaluation Includes:

Academic exams and written reflections.

Mentor and local ministry evaluations.

Ministry practice assignments and journals.

Capstone theological reflection and project.

Character and readiness assessments for ordination.


Through this balanced formation, students demonstrate not only theological competence but also maturity in leadership, discernment, and service.

✝️ Training That Meets Real Needs

The program recognizes that God calls leaders in every season of life. Some are young and exploring full-time pastoral ministry; others are professionals or parents answering a bi-vocational or volunteer call.

This program provides theological depth with practical flexibility for those serving God wherever they are planted.

Every Minister of the Word—whether preaching in a pulpit, serving in a hospital, leading in a prison, teaching in a school, or ministering in the workplace—is a bearer of Christ’s light. This program trains those lights to shine brighter.

📖 Academic and Spiritual Standards

Students commit to excellence in both scholarship and character.

Requirements include:

Maintaining a 2.00 GPA or higher.

Completing all coursework, projects, and reflections.

In degree-granting states: completing the full CLI Degree Program plus additional skill training.

In non-degree states: completing all requirements of the Minister of the Word Award, which maintains equivalent rigor and cost.

🧑🏻‍🏫 Three Ordination Milestones

Ministry Officiant — Serving people in sacred life moments such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms.

Associate Minister of the Word — Teaching and leading within the Body of Christ, aligned with the Associate Degree or its Award equivalent.

Minister of the Word — Fully ordained for vocational ministry service, aligned with the Bachelor Degree or the Minister of the Word Certification.

Education leads naturally to ordination, and ordination confirms readiness to serve—in local, national, and global contexts.

📝 Why the Minister of the Word Program is Rigorous

Since 2014, the Christian Leaders Alliance has offered many ordination roles suited for volunteer and part-time ministers. However, through feedback from students, educators, vocational ministers, and denominational leaders, a clear need emerged for a comprehensive, rigorous ordination track for those pursuing full-time or bi-vocational ministry.

This program fulfills that need—ensuring that those sensing a call to vocational ministry receive the depth, discipline, and recognition their calling deserves.

🍃 A Global, Accessible Vision

The Minister of the Word Program fulfills the mission of Christian Leaders Institute:

“To launch leaders worldwide with biblical knowledge, vibrant godliness, empowered ministry skills, and a passion for multiplying disciples.”

Made possible through a donation-supported education model, CLI keeps courses free and educational service fees affordable.

Whether earning the Bachelor of Divinity Degree through the Leadership Excellence School or the Minister of the Word Award through the Christian Development School, every participant joins one global family of called, equipped, and Spirit-filled ministers proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth.

🌾 Program Costs

The complete out-of-pocket cost for the full Minister of the Word Program is $4,400 USD.

This total covers every aspect of your academic and ordination journey, including the application fee, the Associate and Bachelor level study programs, and the three ordination packages offered along the way.

The application fee is $150.

The Associate Degree or Associate Minister of the Word Certification is $2,000.

The LES Bachelor Degree or CDS Minister of the Word Certification is $3,750.

The three Ordination Plus Packages, which include the Ministry Officiant, Associate Minister, and Minister of the Word credentials, total $750.

Together, these make up the full program cost of $4,400.

💫 With Financial Support (2025-2026)

For the 2025–2026 academic year, special donor-supported financial support options are available for those enrolled in the Minister of the Word Program.

Eligible students may receive a $500 coupon toward the Associate Degree or Certification, a $1000 coupon toward the Bachelor Degree or Certification, and three $250 coupons that cover the cost of each Ordination Plus Package.

If all available financial aid is applied, the total out-of-pocket cost is reduced from $4,400 to $2,900 USD.

This generous support makes it possible for students around the world to pursue rigorous, debt-free vocational ministry preparation through the Christian Leaders Alliance.

✔️ Seven Key Benefits of the Christian Leaders Alliance Program

1. Rigorous Training, Debt-Free: Complete a respected theological education without crippling student debt.

2. Unified Education and Ordination: Progress academically and spiritually in one integrated pathway.

3. Master’s-Level Eligibility: Recognized by academic partners such as Liberty University and others.

4. Significant Cost Savings: High-quality ministry training at a fraction of traditional costs.

5. Recognized Ordination Credentials: Three included ordination packages affirm your ministerial standing.

6. Accreditation-Ready and Globally Respected: CLI is in active accreditation review (expected 2026) and widely recognized.

7. Formation of the Whole Leader: Spirit, mind, and mission trained together for lifelong ministry fruitfulness.

Minister of the Word

🫶🏼 Ordained to Share the Gospel: The Calling Story of Mustafa Olowu

My name is Mustafa Olowu, and I am deeply grateful to God for this new chapter in my spiritual journey as an Ordained Minister of the Word through Christian Leaders Institute.

This ordination represents more than a title — it is a testimony of God’s grace, faithfulness, and calling upon my life. My journey with Christ has been one of transformation, surrender, and purpose. I gave my life to Jesus after realizing that real peace and fulfillment can only be found in Him. Over the years, God has guided me through seasons of growth, challenge, and deep reflection, preparing me to serve others with compassion and truth.

Through my ministry training at Christian Leaders Institute, I gained spiritual depth and practical wisdom that have equipped me for service. The courses in biblical leadership, evangelism, and pastoral care helped me grow not only in knowledge but also in character. I learned that true ministry begins in the heart — by walking in humility and reflecting Christ’s love daily.

Today, I am committed to sharing the Gospel, mentoring others in their faith, and serving my community both in-person and through online outreach. I find great joy in helping people understand God’s Word, discover their purpose, and experience His transforming power. Whether through preaching, teaching, prayer, or encouragement, my goal is to point others to Jesus Christ — the author and finisher of our faith.

This ordination is a blessing and a charge to continue serving faithfully. I thank God for Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance for making quality ministry training accessible to leaders worldwide. My prayer is to keep growing in grace, wisdom, and boldness as I serve wherever God opens the door.

To God be all the glory.