Ordained Commissioned Pastor

My name is Nissen Youhan and I am blessed to become an ordained Commissioned Pastor. I was born in Iraq to Christian parents. I lived all my life as a Christian by name, but I didn’t have any kind of relationship with Christ. I used to go to church occasionally, not to worship but to meet with friends. I am married and have five children and six grandchildren.

During the Gulf war (when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait), I fled Iraq and entered Turkey with my family (wife and four children, two boys and two girls at that time). After suffering in a refugee camp, we were accepted to Australia as refugees. After arriving in Tasmania, Australia, we started a new life there. Then we moved to Victoria to be close to people from our community (Assyrian people). In Melbourne, Victoria, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

From the first day of my life with Christ, I began to think about learning the Bible and becoming a Bible teacher or an ordained Commissioned Pastor. I tried to do a Bible course but I found myself struggling in many areas. As we newly arrived in Australia, I had to work hard to establish ourselves, to have my children in the schools, to provide their needs at home and at school. I also was thinking about how to be a good example for my kids. So I didn’t have time to attend Bible College. I didn’t have money to pay for the costs of Bible College either.

After accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior, I became a member of the Assyrian Assembly of God church. I felt the calling of God in my life. Although I was educated academically (I have a Bachelor Degree of Surveying), I didn’t have enough knowledge about the Bible. I worked very hard in the church. I attended all the activities, all prayer meetings, all Bible study meetings. In 1999, I was ordained a deacon in the church. My ambition was to study for ministry but my circumstances were not helping me financially or in timing.

Finally, the Lord opened the door for me. While I was browsing to find a website to study the Bible, I came across the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) website. When I checked their conditions I was amazed. I said, “They are offering ministry courses? Unbelievable!” I thank God for CLI, they are doing an excellent job teaching, training, and providing a quality education. For all those who can’t afford to pay to study, at CLI, they are doing it for free. After attending the online study with CLI, I obtained my first certificate in a matter of a few weeks. Then I worked tirelessly studying day and night until I obtained my diploma in ministry as an ordained Commissioned Pastor. All thanks to my God who led me to find Christian Leaders Institute.

Learn more about ordained minister study programs at Christian Leaders Alliance.