Wedding Officiant Training and Licensing

Hello, my name is May L. Banks. I study at the Christian Leaders Institute for ministry and wedding officiant training and licensing.

I am married to Tivester H. Banks, Sr. We live in Lynchburg, Virginia, where we are members of a Baptist Church. My wonderful husband and I are the parents of three girls and three boys. There are twenty-seven grandchildren and four great-grandsons. We love our family and thank God for them every day. Our deepest desire is to be more like Christ and teach them the same.

I am an Associate Minister and aide my Pastor in the morning worship. Also, I am the head of the clothing ministry in our church, monitor all ministries for compliance with rules and documentation, and minister to the community.

I was baptized at 10, 13, and at 42 years old. I was baptized again at 42 because I finally understood what being baptized meant. It was such an amazing day and one that I will never forget. Giving my life to Christ has changed my life forever. I knew as a child there was something different about me but growing up in a church that didn’t teach about gifts made it difficult. There were also biases toward women in ministry. The only role in the church was to be a missionary. I trained for nine years and never met their expectations, but I was continuously asked to represent the church in meetings.

My Christian Journey

My mother prayed about everything and always believed in God. But, my father was an alcoholic and abused my mother. We were the poor children that everyone thought would be nothing. However, Mom kept praying and guiding us. Because of her example, we learned that Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, would carry us through all difficult times. Even though I didn’t know God the way I do now, I knew He would help me and lead me.

For years, I knew I was a minister but I was afraid to tell anyone. I felt I wasn’t worthy nor as smart as other ministers. I thought to myself, how do they know all these things? So, I questioned God for so many times. But, the day I confessed to my Pastor my calling, life became better and more peaceful. My Pastor took me under his wing and began to teach me. After three years of training, he licensed me as a minister of the gospel. I am still in training and learning proper procedures, but I get to do hands-on ministry with the clothing room. My dream is to minister to people full-time. I want to be their friend, truly concerned about their lives and difficulties. To show them the light of Christ through my daily living is my desire.

Study at CLI for Wedding Officiant Training and Licensing

I am thankful to Christian Leaders Institute for offering free ministry training. I needed to know God in a more in-depth way. Many days, I read the scriptures and felt completely lost, but now all that has changed. I read with understanding and with interest. All my fear and anxiety of wondering how someone else sees something I don’t see has vanished. I have taken courses with CLI since 2018, and I can’t seem to get enough of the amazing courses that are being offered. There is now no reason to wonder if I am equipped to do work for God. CLI has a course for every training that a minister or Christian would need.

I recently finished the course in being a Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant. I searched for years for wedding officiant training and licensing. But, I was unsuccessful. Many people still feel that it’s not a woman’s place in the denomination that I worship with. However, I was given permission to get training and licensing elsewhere. I am so thankful that CLI offers the course based on the call of God and not my gender.

I am becoming a new person and a free person. For this, I will be forever grateful to CLI. I would never be able to afford the quality of education I have received. It is so amazing that CLI loves Christ so much that they are willing to train anyone that wants to grow in Christ and become the revival leader that they are called to be.

Steps to Sign Up At Christian Leaders Institute

Step 1 – Register for a free study account that automatically enrolls you in the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2. 

After you register, you will automatically be enrolled in the “getting started” course. You will locate the course at your “home” button when logged in. Scroll down to find the Christian Leaders Getting Started Course Part 1 &2 Link. Click the link and open the course.

Step 2 – Complete Part 1 of this course, and then you are allowed to enroll in mini-courses or regular courses. 

The Christian Leaders Getting Started Class Part 1 shows you how to enroll in courses and mini-courses. Part 2 of the course connects your calling into ministry with programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute. Part 2 will offer some ministry training and introduce you to the other programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute.

Learn more about ordination at the Christian Leaders Alliance. Interested in a low-cost college degree? Check out the Christian Leaders College.