My name is Elizabeth Stobb-Mourer and I am defined by God. I am a Christian, a child of God, a Princess of the King, a Bride to my Groom, an Heir of His throne, and most Beloved of my Most Holy Creator. This statement took me decades to realize. I have been beyond blessed by Christian Leaders classes!
“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…” Revelations 3:20.
I am a bit older than many with my conversion story and I am finally choosing the crooked path made straight. I am nearly 60 years old, a nurse, a mother, and a grandmother. I was raised by legalistically rigid Roman Catholic parents. God blessed me with Christian grandparents who are my heroes. They were taken home too soon. My Opa, Oma, Poppy-Bob, Nana, Grandpa and Grandma-Connie taught me to love Jesus with my whole heart and soul.
I grew up desiring to please Jesus. As do many from extremely dysfunctional families, after high school I chose a path of escape and wrongly married the first man who promised to “save me” from my abusive situation. I was blessed with three amazing children. Despite this, I turned from my God. I felt abandoned by the faith that had helped me maintain my sanity as a child. For 30 years I wandered in a desert of darkness and pain, seeking peace in exploring different religions, art, crafts, homesteading, pleasing others, and knowledge. There was no peace there, for the waters of life cannot flow in dry wells. In 2011, I fell to my knees and begged God to come back into my heart. Many things began to change.
“Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.” Jeremiah 18:3-4
God took my mess and began turning it into His message. I started a new walk, studying His Word, and reading the Bible twice through. I desired to learn more. I took Bible basics courses through Christian Leaders Institute. I was going to church every Sunday, watching Christian TV daily, changing the way I lived, and losing “friends” and family who disapproved of this new person God was sculpting. In 2016 I thought I had arrived, but I was still doing more by works not faith. That is when the floor fell out from below me.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
I fell apart. I was very ill and needed surgery and medical treatments over that next year. I lost my job, my living situation, and lost a person I thought was a “Christian” whom I had assumed would be there for me. I was helpless to do anything for myself. I realized I had to give myself over to God completely. I began allowing God to mold me into who He wants me to be. I spent six months without TV, immersed into His written Word, in Christ-centered therapy, finding which direction God pointed me towards, and continuing my Christian Leader Institute studies. I was blessed with a new job, housing, and church family. God carried me the entire way.
“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14
I clearly heard my Master’s voice tell me “Gather My sheep. I will save you from the wolves.” God spoke these words to me repeatedly until I listened. I had His mandate over my life, and I knew I was running out of time. Some go out and minister their way. My greatest fear was saying the wrong thing and leading His children down the wrong path. The more responsibilities I am given, the more responsible I am. I cannot do this without having a firm foundation of God’s Word.
I researched and prayed and found Christian Leaders Institute and began my studies to learn how to properly Minister to God’s flock, His family, His church, and His body. The online structure and affordability allows me to learn and grow in God. My pastors and church family support my education and are guiding me in apprenticeship. I volunteer at our local soup kitchen and with the homeless, serving the lowest with love and grace, as I learn much of God’s Word from this as well.
I am closing in on my Bachelor’s of Divinity, and taking business courses, and various certification courses I feel will be necessary to utilize. I am starting my own ministry online to spread His Word to this newer generation who are computer based and not comfortable reaching out face to face to connect. I am a Deacon serving in our church. I have earned my Certificate in Ministry and Pastoral Certificate as well. I am a certified parish nurse through WNY Parish Nurse Ministry, a worldwide organization serving the needs of individuals and families in parishes/churches/synagogues/religious and cultural groups. I am now a Certified Life Coach through CLI. I am looking to incorporate it all with Just Ask Ministries and bring it into the county in which I live.
“Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.” Luke 12:36
By His grace I have been saved, because of His grace I am learning through Christian Leaders Institute to do God’s bidding and spread His Gospel of Good News. My deepest desire is to serve God. I eagerly look forward to the day I can be eternally with our Lord, our Creator, our All-In-All in Heaven, His Bride at His wedding feast, and I look forward to being with you all there.
May God’s blessings be upon each of you.
