Clergy Journey Led to CLI and CLA
My name is Heidi Bradley, and my clergy journey led me to the Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance. I grew up in a suburb outside of Philadelphia, PA, raised by a single mother. I spent most of my summers with my grandparents as a youth. We had daily Bible stories, and they took my cousin and me to their church’s VBS. At age ten, I accepted Christ as my Savior with the guidance of my grandparents. From then till I was in my twenties, my mom took me to a local Baptist church every time the doors were open.
Wandering and Returning to the Lord
After I left my mother’s house, I went through a period of rebellion and strayed from God. I always knew I had to get back to church and develop my relationship with God; however, the distractions of the world took my eyes off Jesus. After my third child at age 29, I started going to church again because I wanted my kids to know Jesus as I did. I started getting involved back at church and reading my Bible. That was the best decision in my life I had made so far to study God’s word. My life has changed dramatically to recommit to the Lord and develop a genuine relationship with my Holy Loving Father. I am forever grateful for God’s forgiveness, endless mercy, and, most important, His sacrifice of His only Son for our sins to have Him and eternal life.
Struggles
It is not easy being a Christian, but my faith and hope enable me to endure and persevere. I have been through many trials. However, all pain has a purpose, and God has a plan for His children. My husband believes in God but does not have a relationship with Him. That has put a significant strain on our marriage.
I pray for my husband’s salvation every day because, with God, nothing is impossible. My husband has been a heroin addict for the past five years. He emptied our bank account, stole from his children and me, and, a year ago, our house foreclosed. It was a lot to bear. I cried many times, but ultimately, I know God is in control, and this pain has a purpose.
Clergy Journey Led to CLI and Ordination at CLA
I am the spiritual leader in my family and extended family. Through the Christian Leaders Institute, I plan to become a better spiritual leader not only for my family but for my community as well. Receiving the deacon minister ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance is another step on my clergy journey. I know many other families have suffered as I have with a loved one that is an addict that desperately needs Christ’s love and help. I want to help those families have hope and faith. Because having a relationship with God will allow them to endure and finally have peace.
Learn about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost degree? Check out the Christian Leaders College.
Author: Henry Reyenga
Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.
