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 Minister Ordination program (10 credits)
- Take additional Ministry Training (20 Credits)
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- Ministry 101 (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: 20 Additional 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
Pastoral Care Ordination
My name is Nico van Wyk. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute and am getting the Pastoral Care Ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance.
My Journey
I grew up in a typical Christian household, where my parents nurtured my love for Christ and His work. However, as I ventured into the world, I prioritized everyday life’s demands over my calling to full-time ministry. Despite this, my love for Christ remained steadfast.
In 2016, my wife and I embarked on our first cross-cultural outreach. This experience reignited my passion and affirmed my calling to ministry. Over the next two years, I earnestly prayed and sought God’s direction. I knew that He wanted from me. In 2018, we decided to sell all our possessions and dedicate ourselves to missions.
Study at CLI for Ministry
I immersed myself in theological and missions studies during this period, beginning with programs at the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) in January 2020. Following God’s leading, I engaged in various awards and ordinations, eager to equip myself for the journey ahead.
Our hearts are drawn to serving in rural areas, wherever God leads us. Our time in the villages of Malawi revealed a profound need for pastoral care, mentorship, and training among lay field pastors who lacked formal education. Thus, pastoral care and mentorship became our passion and a primary focus of our African ministry—to share God’s love and grace with everyone we encounter.
Pastoral Care Ordination
Completing my Pastoral Care Ordination means I can apply for my work visa in Malawi. We can then join our organization’s team. I can focus on what God has called and prepared me to do.
We will soon embark on our journey to start our ministry in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Central Malawi. Pastoral Care will be our main focus, working mainly with Refugees from DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. The knowledge and skills obtained through my studies at CLI have equipped me for this work. This ordination will be the tool that opens the door.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Marriage Ministry Training
My name is Candice Wright, and my best friend Zach is my husband. Married for five years now, we have known each other for almost 20 years! Now, I am getting licensed as a Christian Wedding Officiant through training at the Christian Leaders Institute and ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Therefore, CLI has given me the marriage ministry training that I needed.
My Journey
Like everyone else’s, my journey is unique. As a young child, I grew up in the church. My parents actively participated in the church, which in turn grew a passion inside me for helping others. Christ’s hands prominently on my shoulders from a young age, guiding me and providing me with vivid dreams I would share with my mother. God was speaking to me.
Unfortunately, my path strayed from God, and I became very depressed and anxious. I fell victim to alcohol and substance abuse. I turned to the occult for answers rather than to the One who was always there. Thankfully, my mother never stopped praying for me, and God answers prayers for those who believe.
When I turned 30, I started to question things again. My eyes opened, and I began reading my Bible, searching for answers. At the age of 31, I opened my heart and gave my life to Jesus Christ again. My Father in Heaven welcomed me with open arms as Jesus wiped my slate clean of past transgressions!
Called to Lead
I was put on my journey for a reason: my calling is to lead others to Christ. I have since started a weekly Women’s Bible Study group. By the grace of God and with the help of the Christian Leaders Institute, I plan to expand this group in the future. Furthermore, I know I’ll successfully spread the gospel and message of Jesus Christ.
I have a passion for helping others, and I love helping couples start their new journey of marriage with a solid foundation. God has blessed me with a wonderful, thriving marriage, and I want others to experience that same love and security.
CLI: Marriage Ministry Training
When I started my calling to ministry, I had no idea where to start. I knew one thing, though: God answers prayers. I prayed for Him to open doors and opportunities for me to serve in His ministry. Christian Leaders Institute came along, specifically their Christian Wedding Officiant course.
This course has given me the knowledge and foundation I need to guide other couples on their special day. It is vital to anyone wanting marriage ministry training for their ministry. The importance of pre-marriage meetings is unprecedented. This foundation can keep a marriage together through all that life offers, with God being the center.
After this program, I plan to continue through other CLI courses. CLI will build my knowledge tool belt to help guide others to Christ through my growing ministry. The fact that CLI has free courses is what led me here, as we did not have the extra income for me to go to seminary. Therefore, these tuition-free courses are perfect for me and anyone starting on their ministry journey.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.
Wedding Officiant Program
My name is Coreta Morris Boswell. My husband and I have three beautiful children. We have lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for about six years. I am a student at the Christian Leaders Institute in the Licensed Wedding Officiant Program. Getting my Christian wedding officiant license with the Christian Leaders Alliance gives me a good standing in my community.
My Journey
Previously, I lived in New York City. I have always loved the Lord and always loved going to church. I gave my life to the Lord over 18 years ago now. To walk with the Lord was the best decision for me. God has repeatedly proven how much He loves and cares for me. God saved me from my deathbed and smoking addiction while I lived in New York City.
I moved to Florida in 2017, and while living here, a friend invited me to a Pentecostal Church. I met a wonderful man of God and his wife and started attending their church there. As God never gave up on me, my pastor and his wife never gave up on me. My pastor always tells me that the Lord has a plan and purpose for my life.
Wedding Officiant Program at CLI
My pastor told me about the Christian Leaders Institute with tuition-free online classes. Therefore, I took one of the online courses in ministry. I thank CLI for having these free, high-quality training courses so people like me can fulfill the call of God for their lives and go through the ordination process. The anointed education at CLI enables me to reach out to others more effectively. To have my official Christian wedding officiant license, I can perform my daughter’s and family and friends’ weddings when it’s time for them to marry. I thank CLI for this amazing course and ministry training. The licensed Christian wedding officiant program is encouraging me to continue my journey of serving God.
Register a Study Account
Register for a free study account, which will automatically enroll you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.
When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.
The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:
- Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
- Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities.
Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.
Find out more about women in ministry here.