I grew up in a home where love was often overshadowed by conflict and unspoken wounds. Occasional arguments evolved into a constant undercurrent of abuse. Home was not a refuge but a battlefield. Words were weapons, silence was punishment, and affection was perverse. I learned to hide my feelings, to keep my dreams small, and to expect disappointment. The dysfunction seeped into my identity. I carried it’s weight, convinced that my story would always be defined by pain. I struggled with self-worth, battled anxiety, and often felt invisible. The more I tried to fix things on my own, the more fractured my relationships became. 

                  By the time I reached adulthood, I was hauling years of unresolved hurt; the weight was crushing. Then came the season when the pain became too loud to ignore. I found myself replaying old arguments in my mind, feeling bitterness take root, and realizing that my heart was hardening. I tried distraction, self-help books, and even avoidance, but nothing touched the deep ache inside. I was functioning on the outside but unraveling on the inside. It was in that place of exhaustion and quiet desperation I began to cry out to God—not by eloquent prayers, but by raw, unfiltered pleas: “If You are real, I need You to show me.”

              God answered in ways I could not have scripted. Through my spouse’s invitation, I accessed Christian Leader’s Institute and something in me stirred. Jesus pulled the veil away — not as a distant figure but, as The Living Savior who met me in my brokenness and bitterness.  The story of Jesus—His compassion for the broken, His willingness to reach the untouchable, His power to forgive—cut through my defenses. One night, while perusing coursework, I felt an overwhelming sense of being seen and loved, unlike anything experienced before. Christ Jesus Himself was whispering, “I know your pain, I can heal it.” That night, I surrendered to Him.

              Healing didn’t happen all at once, but it did begin immediately. Jesus started peeling back the layers of hurt, replacing lies with truth. Through prayer, Scripture, and the support of a loving church community, I began to see others as people wounded in their own ways. Slowly, reconciliation replaced resentment. Conversations however painful began to end in understanding. My hardened heart became tender again.
What I once saw as a curse, God is now using as commissioning through pathways of Certification, Licensure, Chaplaincy and Ordination earned with CLI ‘s training. Ministry is the heartbeat: proclaiming the Gospel, discipling believers, and creating safe spaces for the broken to encounter Christ.  Coaching is a natural avenue: walking alongside people, helping to draw out God-given potential through His wisdom.  As Jesus constantly restores, God’s vision will be glorified by sharing His Spirit. My past no longer defines me; it equips me.

          We have come to the realization that many needs are un-met, many people are over looked, many people are ashamed, frightened, confused and without hope. Our only desire is to share the truth of the Gospel, share the Love of Christ, share the need of forgiveness through the atoning work of Christ and to meet simple needs of those that need it the most .

          We have no million dollar buildings, no huge staff to pay, and no huge light bills to pay. Therefore 100% of the gifts received on this website go directly to the people that need it the most. The homeless community in the greater Jacksonville area. No games, no gimmicks, no lording it over people. We do not force anything on anybody and would never guilt anyone with expectations. Unfortunately, this is not true of all ministries. We rely on teaching the value of a community rather than using fear or manipulation. We also offer all our ministry services free of charge. We have freely received, so we freely give. 

Are you called to ministry? Christian Leaders Institute provides a generosity-driven, high-quality formal ministry education to equip you for your calling. Through this rigorous yet accessible training, you can earn ordination credentials that are recognized and maintained by the Christian Leaders Alliance.