Ordained Chaplain Ministry

I am married and have a total of six children, two of the six are still living at home. I have been self-employed for 25 years. I have a degree in Paralegal studies and spent a good number of years working in law firms. During that time I saw many people whose rights were being violated and they had to walk away from the fight because they didn’t have the money to pay for legal services. That is when I decided to go out on my own and bring services to the needy for little to no money. I drafted wills and family law documents and found that I spent many hours working as a mediator or mentor to the clients. Those were very good and joyful years until the Lord pulled me in a new direction, one of ordained chaplain ministry. I felt the calling of God in many areas of my life but found it easier to minister in the areas God has gifted me. I became a worship leader and lead worship at a woman’s crisis center three days per week, I worship in truth and spirit and it brings me such joy to worship God and teach doctrine through song.

Five years ago, the Lord called me away from the legal field and I came home to take care of my mother-in-law who had dementia. Three years ago, I started volunteering at the woman’s crisis center leading worship and teaching Bible studies. As the center was growing, I was blessed to be able to teach life skills classes, Bible studies, lead worship and drama, and work the resource room. I eventually went on to be the head mentor which fits right into the gifts God has given me. This was very rewarding work.

I feel God’s calling on my life to go deeper in ordained chaplain ministry and to get out of the box I was in. I was brought up to believe there is a God. But I married young and after my marriage broke up, I turned from God. I spent about three months living in the world and really couldn’t stand myself. I then ran from that and married into a bad situation with a non-believer. I spent the next 14 years swimming uphill. I accepted Jesus as my Savior 27 years ago after a night of crying. I couldn’t take the abuse anymore and I was frozen in fear. It felt comfortable being in the arms of Jesus. I was overcome with delight to be back and vowed to walk in obedience forevermore.

The way that I hope to use my ordained chaplain ministry training is to be able to reach out into the world with confidence. I have the gift of mercy and compassion. When I took care of my mother in law, I was really her compassion minister. Without any prior preparedness, I stood up at her funeral and led. It felt natural to me to do so, to comfort everyone, to speak about her in delightful ways, and to tell the audience about her faith in Christ. I want what the Lord wants me to learn as much as He want’s me to learn it. I want to be strong in my mentoring of other’s and grow strong leaders that will go out and reproduce. Several people who know me well say that I reflect the image of Christ. They say that I would do well going into the public in hospitals, nursing homes, and at crisis centers and comforting them as Jesus would. I want to reach as many people as I can with the gospel news and guide them to the path. The deacon ordination, I believe, will assist me in my desire to be an encourager to the sick, the dying, the broken, and the grieving. It will also be the encouragement for me to continue my studies and finish with the Ordained Chaplain Ministry role. Currently, I am a part of a transition team in a church plant. This is a big project and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

God has opened several doors of opportunity for me since I started the deacon ordination program. I am so grateful for the contributors to Christian Leaders Institute for making it possible for me to go to school with little to no costs. I have often heard that people will only give as much as they paid for something. I don’t feel that way. Because of the work and efforts of others, I am appreciative and desire to do excellently for their generosity. Please pray for continued guidance growth and protection on my ordained chaplain ministry journey. The attacks of the enemy have been almost unbearable at times. I’m excited that my ordination will be under the cover and protection of the Christian Leaders Alliance. Having this opportunity to be blessed with a scholarship means the world to me. I believe this is God’s timing and He has gone before me and prepared the way. There are many certificates and short courses out there for a minimal or one-time fee, but having a scholarship means I can do it God’s way. Wherever God wants to send me or direct me next, I will be prepared. Thank you, and praise God for His faithfulness!

Author: Henry Reyenga

Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.