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Testimonies

 


Mentoring Testimony 2009

Doc,

I really appreciate the effect of your study and teaching to me. I’m able to pick up what I needed. I know this is from God…Thanks, Philip

BACKGROUND

I’m an engineer by trade and a Senior Project Manager now for a company managing multi-million dollar projects. I came from the Philippines. I know this job came from God especially coming from a foreign land.

Over the years, God had blessed me tremendously and I got promoted many times. I’m became a big part
of the company. Big part come big responsibility. Performance at the highest level is expected by company management. The pressure to perform well had given me “stress” and “fear” to face my management and people in general.  

I got stressed so much that it affected my inner self. I felt very defeated to the point of feeling heat inside my chest every time somebody approaches me, even just to say hi. I know this was not good for me, especially the chemical I felt inside me being released from my chest. I know this can give me heart disease, cancer or other serious medical problems in a short time.

TESTIMONY

When I attended the Mentoring Class, I got more than what I expected. We started with Goal Setting. 
I heard that successful people set goals for their life. I set my goals and started taking steps to accomplish them. We did not stop there. I learned that I have to “know” who is living inside of me. That was one of many lessons I learned that gave me the understanding and power to live the victorious Christian life. 

After understanding biblical faith, I was able to use my faith as Jesus said in the Bible – If “you” say to this “mountain” be removed, it will be moved…and if you pray believing in your heart that you received it already, you will see it manifest.”  

My big “mountain” was the stress and fear inside of me. Now, I’m able to command them to go away in Jesus’ name --- including sickness from my wife, kids, mother, and relatives. Because of what I learned concerning biblical praying and using the faith God already gave me I have seen tremendous results compared to my old way of praying! I am now a victorious Christian. I can approach my work and people without feeling any stress and fear. That’s a wonderful feeling!

I’m also praying for things to come. I have a bigger goal, and I will share that testimony later as I see it manifest. Thanks Doc for being part of changing my life.

In Christ,

Philip

Mentoring Testimony 2007

 January 2007 I took the challenge to enter a year-long mentoring program. This program was offered by Dr. Cecil Cockerham, director of American Institute for Christian Education. I was challenged after hearing "No Dream Is Too Big" to seek God regarding my God-given dreams and to create a “dream board.” I asked the Holy Spirit to reveal to me clearly what should go on this dream board. One of my dreams was to buy a house in 2007 and have thanksgiving dinner for my family. That dream materialized in September 2007 and we shared our family thanksgiving dinner in my new town home. 

Another dream was to become a Board Certified Chaplain. I am not aware of all the steps for this dream to materialize, but I began to research the process in order to accomplishing this dream. I entered Clinical Pastoral Education in the fall of 2007. I am currently pursuing this dream to date.

I believe when God gave Dr. Cecil the vision for the mentoring program, He knew some of his children would need someone to walk along side to challenge them to move to the next level in their lives. This along with the Certified Christian Counseling Training has been very instrumental in my journey as I hear the voice of
God and obey that voice to move forward in my calling. 

The mentoring program will challenge you to look past your fears and see your God-given potential realized. This program will help you live out the Scripture in II Peter 1:3. Understand everything you need you have...It's in your hand.

Thank you Dr. Cecil for not only being my friend for life but for being my life-coach. God bless you and your ministry. 

It's In Your Hands - 2 Peter 1:3
 Carol Cooper, CCC

Christian Counselor Certification Training

Dr. Cecil,

Thank you for an awesome Level III Counseling class. I came to the class not knowing what to expect. I had prayed before the class started that I would get some hands on experience, in order to be better equipped to go out and do Christian Counseling. Each week of the class was exciting, hands on, and the captives being set free. Our last class, the make up class, was explosive! I am still thanking God for the experience of working an actual session with a client. I could not get that experience in any program I know of. I would have to go out and do this on my own.

Thank you for the fantastic, spirit-filled curriculum. and the real life preparation to do Christian Counseling.
God bless you and you staff at the American Institute for Christian Education.

Evelyn

On Par With Graduate Training

Dear Dr. Cecil, 

 
Once again, I want to thank you for the wonderful training I received during the Level I, Level II, and Level III training for Christian Counselor Certification. As you know, I am a Certified school guidance counselor and have my Master's degree in Educational Psychology. I found the training I received through AIFCE to be as valuable, if not more so, than my graduate training for the actual process of counseling.
 
Each of the Level instructors was knowledgeable, interesting and skilled in sharing their expertise with us. Rather than a lot of pedagogy, we were given practical, immediately usable tools. I'm an educator, and I believe in the value of education. I count the training I received during the Christian Counselor Certification classes to be a very important part of my education as a counselor. And that doesn't even begin to say what the classes have done for me in my personal life!
 
I appreciate so much all that I have gained from my association with you and the other people, both students and teachers, in the Counselor Certification Training. What an extraordinarily fine group of people!
 
May God continue to bless you and your ministry richly.
 
In Love and Gratitude,
 
Syandra Ingram

 

Christian Counselor Certification Training

From Betty Richards

I began the five-week course with a desire to help others and ended the five weeks with a changed life. The effects of the course came in many different forms, but the most important impact was a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father. I learned the importance of yielding my life to Him and allowing Him 100% control.

Here are some of the other changes that I have experienced:

1. 3x5 cards have become my way of sharing scripture in hospital settings. For the last two Tuesdays I have shared scripture with those who are in need of hope and direction.  At Spring Branch Hospital I used the cards to conduct a bible study in the surgery waiting room. At Houston Orthopedic Hospital the scriptures on my 3x5 cards encouraged a friend preparing to undergo back surgery. I shared scriptures for him to hold on to.

2. My prayer life has been enriched as I have a clearer understanding of who the God I serve is.

3. God has lifted the heavy burden of a deep wound that I have carried for 8 years and allowed me to put the situation in the right perspective, no longer letting it over shadow
my life.

4. I have learned the need to forgive and be forgiven, to keep a short list with God. I have helped friends to understand distorted thinking when things do not seem to make sense.

I believe that taking this class was a God appointed opportunity for me to heal and grow.  

Betty Richards

Christian Counselor Certification Training

FROM THE DESK OF:
BARBARA EUSTACE WILLIAMS
November 09, 2002
Memo To: Dr. Cecil Cockerham
From: Barbara Eustace Williams

I have worked as a social worker/counselor in the secular world over 30 years. I was trained as a "Psychiatric Social Worker" which included training in Psychoanalytical Model at Smith College and the Medical Model at University of Houston. (Note: Moses was trained in Egypt.) I loved the models.

I have served as a counselor at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for almost ten years and have tried to integrate what I have learned in the secular world and God' Word. The thing that stands out most is that the secular world does well in diagnosis but comes up short for treatment. Your "Model of Man" and "Setting the Captives Free" are awesome models (tools), and are just what the doctor ordered.

They give you the diagnosis, the treatment and most of all God's Word. God has been teaching me some of the same things; but He has blessed you, anointed you to organize them and put them in this manual. I have looked everywhere for years for models/techniques like these. I even went to Seminary and even though it
was awesome, it was not as specific as this.

Man, I am so excited. It is hard to stop studying and to go to bed. I pray that I can take all levels. I love learning. I thank God for using you, Dr Cecil and I thank you for obeying.

Barbara Eustace Williams
Counselor
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
Houston, Texas

Christian Counselor Certification Training

From Florence See

My name is Florence See. I recently completed the Level I Christian Counselor Training Course at
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. I enrolled in this training with no idea of what this class would do
for me personally.

My plan was to receive techniques to help others to be set free by counseling with them, but instead, I was
set free. The Fifty-Three Blessings "In Christ" have proven beneficial in helping me to truly understand who
I am in Christ.

I learned so many things that I needed to do before attempting to counsel others. One thing that I learned
was the technique of "rebuking" others. It was not always easy to do, but always necessary. During this
session I confronted and rebuked many people about past and present situations. It was a release for me
and I believe that in many cases it was a release to others as well.

Another thing that I learned about counseling is that the Word of God is the final authority, not opinions.
The counselor must allow the Holy Spirit to work through God's word and must also know who he/she is
in Christ.

I really liked this course training because we were not only told what should be done, but we were given
specific scriptures and instructions on how it is to be done. Also we were given some very powerful
scriptures based prayers to help us. The  "Model Man" has helped me to see the Bible from a different perspective. As I looked at the model man of biblical characters, I was able to see myself in many situations where I reacted in the flesh instead of in the spirit.

My wish is that everyone should have an opportunity to be blessed as much as I have been from this
Christian Counseling Course training. Now I feel that I am equipped to help others to enjoy the freedom
of who they are in Christ. I will not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone.

 Florence See

Christian Counselor Certification Training

 From Joyce Aubry

My insight about what God requires concerning my relationship with God and man has been greatly
enhanced through this class. I have become aware of how to more thoroughly read and study the bible.
 I had read some of the verses many times but had overlooked some of the key small words, mainly
connecting words, conjunctions and prepositions. I now see that these words are important for correct
interpretation.

By doing "The Model of Man", I learned the process for dealing with situations that will allow me to act
appropriately and in the spirit. I see the results of acting in the spirit leading to peace and abundant life
or reacting in the flesh leading the destruction and even death - physical or spiritual. I also learned
techniques and processes that will assist my counseling others within the concept of biblical principals.
Most importantly I learned that before I can help someone else I must be sure of my relationship with
God and that I am spiritually rooted. Realizing that God is the counselor I must yield completely to God
so that I may be a vessel used by God.

Joyce Aubry
Faith-Based Christian Counselor Training

ANGER/GRIEF WORKSHOP

Dr. Cockerham,

I am so happy and grateful that God set aside December 15, 2007 as a day of deliverance and healing for me. It was no accident that I received the email blast about your upcoming 12-Month Mentorship Program. Also I attended the conference call last Monday evening and during the call I heard you briefly mention about the Anger/Grief workshop being held on December 15. I knew in my spirit that I was supposed to attend.

When I pulled into the church parking lot I started welling up with tears and just knew inside it was going to
be an awesome day for me. The workshop was such a blessing because I met some great people, learned
a lot more about myself, learned some powerful techniques, was set free of DEPRESSION, willing allowed FORGIVENESS towards others I felt had wronged me, and more importantly my nugget for the whole day was I allowed myself to come back home to GOD!!!

Thank you so much for what you do and how you teach. My destined appointment in meeting you was achieved, and I am excited to start the 12-Month Mentorship program next month!!!

Continue to be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Y. Smith
Houston, Texas

Emotional Freedom Through Christ (EFTC)

Hi Dr. C,

Sorry I didn't get this off to you on Saturday but life happens. So hear it is. I went to the Emotional Freedom Through Christ (EFTC) workshop hoping it could help me overcome my "love" for chocolate. If I had any chocolate in the house, I would eat it all. When I didn't have any at home, I would go to the store and get a candy bar. I had prayed about it for years and had some limited success but I would always fall back into a craving for it before a week was over.

After using "The Method" and confessing my addiction, I was surprised when I smelled the bag of chocolate, which you put under my nose that my craving didn't seem very strong. You had me use "The Method" again and this time when the bag was placed under my nose, it smelled like rubber and I didn't want any of it!!!

It has been 3 1/2 weeks since the training and I can truthfully say my craving is totally gone. Also, I have tried the technique on other fears and I am amazed how much it continues to help me with these areas.

Thanks you for teaching me this technique, which has changed my life!!! My husband is so impressed he wants to take the training too.

M. Hurta
Houston, Texas

Emotional Freedom Through Christ (EFTC)

Hey Doc,

Just wanted to share my positive experiences in reference to the Emotional Freedom Through Christ class you offered. I LOVE chocolate and COKE and MOUNTAIN DEW!!! I really have no desire to give those up! I can eat 5 pieces of chocolate at one time!!! However, I went went through the TECHNIQUE along with the other students, not caring if it worked or not.  But, guess what??? It worked!!! I do not have the craving or desire for chocolate, coke or mountain dew!!!

I can't believe it!! It's incredible!!! In fact, I did drink a coke. At the first sip, I thought it was a Diet Coke (can't stand Diet Coke) because the taste was somewhat bitter. Also tried to drink a Dew...after a few swallows...I just didn't want it.

The possibilities are endless with this technique and keeping God as the center focal point. Our God is an awesome God, and as He works through others as His vessels, there is no limit to what He can do!!!

D. Shea
Houston, Texas