Small Groups or Bible Studies are a staple of a local church. Local volunteers often fill these leadership roles at the local church. Christian Leaders Institute has designed a program of study that brings free ministry training to Christian Leaders. This program includes 26 credits of ministry training.
Steps to be ordained as a Small Group Minister
- Enroll at Christian Leaders Institute and complete the Getting Started Class: Scholar Orientation.
- Complete the Deacon Ministry Award
- Christian Leaders Connection (3 credits)
- Christian Basics (3 credits)
- Ministry 101 (3 credits)
- Complete the Deacon Minister Ordination Class (1 credit)
- Get three recommendations from your local community, possibly including a Christian Leaders Alliance ordained mentor.
- Receive your official ordination documents from Christian Leaders Alliance, sent through the Christian Leaders Institute offices.
- Be ordained by the laying on of hands.
- Be included in the Christian Leaders Alliance ordination directory.
- Complete the additional 15 credits of ministry training
- Old Testament Survey (3 credits)
- New Testament Survey (3 credits)
- People Smart for Ministry (3 credits)
- Church and Ministry (3 credits)
- Developing House Churches (3 credits)
- Take the Ordained Small Group Minister Class (1 credit) and order your updated ordination credentials.
Ordained Small Group Minister (1 Credit)
This one credit hour class is for those leading small groups or Bible Studies. The dynamics of this course are centered around leading small groups at local churches. Your studies will focus on three areas. The first is Biblical content. The second is relationships and group dynamics. The third is communication.
As an Ordained Small Group Minister, your training will be for the following roles:
Small Group Minister
House Church Minister
Bible Study Leader
Sunday School Teacher
Cell Group Leader
Ordained Small Group Minister Training Requirements Review:
- Christian Leaders Connection (3 credits)
- Ministry 101 (3 Credits)
- Christian Basics (3 credits)
- Old Testament Survey (3 Credits)
- New Testament Survey (3 Credits)
- People Smart for Ministry (3 credits)
- Church and Ministry (3 credits)
- Developing House Churches (3 Credits)
- Deacon Minister Ordination (1 Credit)
- Ordained Small Group Minister Class (1 Credit)
Total Credits: 26
Hometown Calling Ordination
Hometown Calling
Greetings! Stand firm in the love of Our Father through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Walk in the Spirit, who unites us as brothers and sisters throughout the world. My name is Mary Whitlow. I grew up in and now have a hometown calling to Muskegon, Michigan.
I love living on the Sunset Coast along the shore of Lake Michigan. Despite the beauty of its natural surroundings, my hometown struggles with poverty, crime, urban blight, and racial tensions. I have left at various times to serve God and teach in other cities and countries, but I keep being drawn back.
I have also had many opportunities to bring Jesus’ love to young students in the public schools and someday hope to minister in a local church with children and families. Therefore, my dream is to teach families how to study the Bible together.
Hometown Calling, Ministry Training, and Ordination
My husband, Jeff, and I both take classes at Christian Leaders Institute. We are planning to start a house church for those who are unable to attend church on Sunday morning. This house church will be a place where leaders are raised up to minister in our city.
I also participate in a Christian movement called DeColores. DeColores holds three-day retreats to teach men and women the basics of Christianity, ignite their love of God, and build an interdenominational community of believers. With the Deacon Minister ordination with Christian Leaders Alliance, I can serve as a Spiritual Director on these weekends.
Please lift my husband and me up in your prayers as we are undergoing a great deal of spiritual warfare aimed at destroying our marriage. By the grace of God, and the power of the blood Jesus shed, we will stand firm together. We know we are called to ministry together as a couple and know a three strand cord is not quickly broken.
Ordained Deacon Opportunity
Ordained Deacon Opportunity
My name is Sherry Marshall, and I am thankful for this ordained deacon opportunity I was born in 1976 to two loving parents. I am the youngest of three children. I married a wonderful man, Todd Marshall. Together we have six children, two girls, and four boys. We live in Duchesne, Utah. We run a small mom and pop carpet cleaning company.
Early Life and Salvation
As a young child, we did not attend church except for VBS. Mainly done so my mom could receive a break during our summer break from school. I did not come to know the Lord until much later in life.
My first marriage was full of emotional and physical abuse. Eventually, I was able to break free but was full of anger, low self-esteem, and trust issues. Then I met and married my forever husband, Todd. He is strong in his faith and convinced me to try church. We tried a couple of them, however, nothing seemed to make sense. To be honest, I was going because he asked me to. I did not believe it would make any difference. He kept telling me and praying that I would hear from God. After much encouragement, I decided to try one last church. By the end of the service, I was at the altar crying and asking Jesus into my heart. I am forever grateful. His love, prayers, and patience are a testimony and example of how faith works.
My Calling
Today, I face many challenges in raising and counseling my children. Some are still at home and others have left the nest. My goal is to offer the best biblical advice and instill the love of Christ into their hearts. My prayer is to be a place of hope and a resource for change and spiritual guidance. I want to have a lasting impact on this generation and the generations yet to come. I feel called to teach people, especially my family, that it may not be that God is not speaking. It may be that we are not listening to what He has to say. I want to instill the value that reading the word of God is truly important but obeying the word of God is crucial to a life well lived.
The Many Blessings in CLI
With the free training at Christian Leaders Institute, I have this ordained deacon opportunity. I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful study program and plan on taking additional classes. I have plans to lead a women’s group at my local church. This ordination with Christian Leaders Alliance will strengthen my ministry. Every day and with every class, I am more prepared to talk with others, guide them, and pass that knowledge along. I am truly blessed by this program, and I praise God for you all.
Approved Minister Ordination
Approved Minister Ordination
My name is Dexter D. J. Cartwright, and I am excited to receive my approved minister ordination. I am the last of five children born to Cleveland and Etoile Cartwright. While in my mother’s womb, it was prophesied to name me John. John is my third name. My mother was confident that God called me. While pregnant with me, my mother gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. She joined an Assemblies of God church. She became a founding member of Glad Tidings Tabernacle in Nassau, NP; Bahamas. She was an elder there up to her transition to eternity to be with the Lord on February 24, 2016.
On the other hand, my father was an Anglican by faith. My parents married in the Anglican church. My father rededicated his life to the Lord at the age of 64 in Glad Tidings Tabernacle. I served as a Deacon, President of the Men’s Ministry, and a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God in the Bahamas including the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Saved by Grace and Call to Ministry Study
I gave my heart to the Lord in February of 1976, the year I was entering grade 7. My walk with the Lord was a wavering one into my early twenties. I thank God for my praying mother. I got back on track eventually and obtained a Ministerial Diploma from the Assemblies of God Bible College in the Bahamas. Then I received a Bachelor of Religious Education from York Christian College and Divinity School. Recently, I completed a Bachelor of Theology from North Carolina Theological Seminary, and I am completing a Master of Theology also. Then, I also completed several courses with Christian Leaders Institute achieving about 40 credits.
Christian Leaders Institute Ministry Study
Since enrolling with CLI, I see and understand the Scripture in a much different light. CLI courses are very informative, which encourages research and introspection. These courses enhance my knowledge and ability to engage others to decide to serve the Lord. I enjoy the videos and self-paced courses.
I am the founder and CEO of Separation Lifestyle Ministries International: a Prayer, Counselling, Evangelistic, and Missions ministry to the Bahamas and the world. It is an interdenominational ministry. I minister unto the Lord as He directs. By the Grace and Power of God, I intend to serve Him and worship Him in Spirit and truth.
Please keep my wife and me in your prayers as we minister in the name of the Lord. I am married to Jacqueline, and we have two adult daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren. My wife is the Founder and CEO of Daughters of Ruth Ministry. It ministers to abused children and women, encouraging them to take off the masks that they wear. We minister where the Lord sends us. We are also volunteer members of Prison Fellowship Bahamas and by extension Prison Fellowship International. The courses that CLI offers help to make ministry easier.
Approved Minister Ordination
This approved minister ordination of deacon minister will help me and my wife to minister more effectively. I want to be a part of the Christian Leaders Alliance to progress further. I see this as the Lord’s doing. As the Scriptures declare, “…there is wisdom in the multitude of counselors.” To God, be the glory!