🎥 Video 2B Transcript

CDS, LES, and CLA: What Each Part Does

Hi, I am Haley, a Christian Leaders Institute presenter.

Now let’s look more closely at the three main parts students often hear about: the Christian Development School, the Leadership Excellence School, and the Christian Leaders Alliance.

First, the Christian Development School, often called CDS. This school is responsible for creating and offering many of the courses in the Christian Leaders Institute ecosystem. It also offers selected adult education awards, certificates, and diplomas. For many students, this is the most natural place to begin because it is designed to be welcoming, practical, and accessible.

Second, the Leadership Excellence School, often called LES. This is the degree-program arm of Christian Leaders Institute. LES is focused on credible academic pathways. Some students move in this direction because they want a more formal degree path connected to their calling and future ministry goals.

Third, the Christian Leaders Alliance, often called CLA. This is the ordination and credentialing arm. CLA is not simply about titles. It is a study-based ordination pathway that includes local recommendations. It also provides public and officiant credentials for those who reach that stage.

These distinctions matter because they help students understand what each step is for.

CDS helps many students begin.

LES helps students pursue degree pathways.

CLA helps students move toward ordination and recognized credentials in a study-based way.

When you understand these roles, the pathway becomes much less confusing. You begin to see that the ecosystem is built to support different levels of calling, preparation, and ministry development.

This also helps protect a very important principle: formation comes before recognition. Students are not meant to chase titles first. They are invited to begin with learning, growth, and preparation.

That is why this ecosystem matters. It gives structure to calling. It gives direction to growth. And it helps students move forward without rushing ahead.

You can begin here, and you can grow step by step.