Thank you for your interest in pursuing a credential with the International Christian Coaching Institute (ICCI). Please complete all requested information in all sections or mark "N/A" if not applicable. You may save your work and resume the process at a later time, but please note that uploads will not be saved.

ICCI will not disclose the confidential information given in this application to a third party without your express, written consent. Please allow 1-3 weeks for processing.

Demographics

This information will update your profile information.

Education/Training in Christian Life Coaching

• I Agree

I completed the Christian Life Coaching Foundations I, II, and III course through ICCI.

Mentoring in Christian Life Coaching

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Field Experience in Christian Life Coaching

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Youth for Christ - Youth Center supervisor (35+ hours)
2021-2023 - By interacting and listening to youth share their life stories & challenges, I have been able to implement Biblical, practical concepts and tools - mainly in the areas of anxiety, struggles in current home life, relationship building (working with girls H.S. sport teams, friendships, parent-teen) and encouraging them to keep moving forward and make the needed changes for the life God so desires for them.

Lisa Nissen Coaching (40 hours)
2022-2023 I meet with women on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.
Conversations are focused around making decisions that align with God's plan for us, self-worth issues, distorted thoughts about God and who He is, and how He sees us. (root of symptoms are from past abuse - physical, emotional & spiritual)
Meditating on the words of Ephesians 1-3 and who we are in Christ has been so helpful!

Many focused conversations with women (individually & in group setting) include; remaining strong in the faith, encouraging & helping them re-align their priorities and where they believe God is leading them, relationship guidance, re-focusing on the truth from God's Word, and understanding the times and running with endurance the race that is set before us.

Other Professional Credentialing or Certification

Spiritual Orientation and Practice

Please define/describe your thoughts and beliefs on the following questions.

He is my personal Lord and Savior! My everything! (Matthew 28:18, I Corinthians 12:3) After studying Matthew with Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and watching The Chosen over the past few years, I have a better understanding of who He is - His compassion, mercy, unconditional love for all of us, He's desire to use the unqualified and sin stained, and gentle spirit. This has brought me to a deeper connection and love for Him.

He is God's Son, who came to earth as a man, born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins and was raised to life 3 days later. (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

Jesus is God. (John 10:30, John 1:1, 14)

He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

He has promised to come to earth again, the whole world will see Him and He will rule in great judgement, power & victory! (Matthew, 24:27-31, Revelation 1:7, Acts 1:11, Zechariah 14:4, Jude 1:14-15)

This is a very easy, Biblical method that I was taught to use as a teen.

The ABCs of salvation
Accept that we are sinners (Romans 3:23) and there is none righteous (Romans 3:10-12) and in the need of a Savior and there is nothing we can do to earn it! It is only by grace, through faith, it is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved! (Romans 10:9, Acts 16:31)

Confess your sins, commit your life to the Lord and be baptized. (I John 1:9, Acts 2:38-39)

The Holy Spirit now lives inside of you! (Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 6:19)

God's Word is alive!
Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

God's Word is 100% true and without error! God breathed and inspired!
II Timothy 3:16-17 says "All (meaning ALL) Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

The Word of God is just as true and relevant today as it was years ago.
I Peter 1:25 says "but the word of the Lord remains for forever."

My love for God's Word has only deepened as I've gotten older. Reading the Bible is no longer something I do to cross off my to-do list, but instead I'm excited to see what He is going to reveal to me, to teach me, to encourage me or convict me. He's Word never fails and time and time again He proves that He speaks to me through it. I'm blessed to have access to the powerful, mind transforming, life changing Word of God!

The Holy Spirit is a person of the trinity - God the father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

The Spirit came to the early church on the day of Pentecost - to empower and embolden them to be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4)
The Spirit dwells within the bodies (the temple) of believers. (I Corinthians 6:19, John 14:17)
The Spirit is our advocate and teacher (John 14:26, I Corinthians 2:10-11)
The Spirit is our Intercessor. (Romans 8:26)
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Spirit convicts the world of sin and righteousness and judgement. (John 16:8, Galatians 5:16-18)

I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit throughout all my life - from bringing the right Scripture to mind at the right moment, pushing me to talk to certain people, prompting me to read Scripture and then teaching me, waking me up to pray during the night, giving me courage to step out of my comfort zone, flooding me with peace that passes all understanding, giving me courage to witness to people, and convicting me of my sin. I can't imagine going through life without the Holy Spirit.

At 11 years old, I attended a missions’ conference with my recently saved parents. Bruce Porterfield, a missionary to Boliva, shared a miraculous story of when he was surrounded by a group of cannibals with their arrows drawn to kill him. He later learned through the leader that they couldn’t release their arrows on him because “something” was holding them back from shooting. That “something” was God. It was in that moment, I decided to follow the same God. The God who cares about the details of our life, the One who created this whole world and everything in it, the One who sent His son Jesus, who became our deliverer from sin.

During my teen years, I struggled with self-worth, people pleasing, suicidal ideation, and a mountain of insecurities which turned into developing an eating disorder that ruled my life for 7 years. It felt hopeless, controlling, and lonely. Even with the rising health concerns, I couldn’t imagine my life without bulimia. It was an addiction. It was during my time at Bible college, that my pastor’s wife was helping me through my eating disorder. She told me that every time I bend down to purge, I’m bowing to a throne and it wasn’t Jesus’s. Who did I want to worship? That moment was a turning point for me. I had made this my idol. The path to recovery was almost instant, considering my years of bondage to that sin.

At 33, I attended a Women of Faith conference in Montana. Leading up to this point, I’d never been a fan of women’s conferences and retreats, since, in my opinion, they often led to a lot of emotions, tears, and awkward conversations—All of which made me uncomfortable. I understand now, that I was not emotionally healthy. However, God used this moment in my life. I walked out of that big auditorium knowing and sensing that God was calling me to something more – something bigger. It was exciting and scary all at the same time.

At 38, I found myself emotionally numb due to an unhealthy pattern of stuffing, downplaying, and ignoring my feelings. With God's guidance and the help of a Christian counselor, I worked through a lot of past hurts, asked the hard questions of “Why do I feel like this?”, “Where is this stemming from?” and “What do I plan to do about it?” By working through my mental mess, I began to fully experience the gift of all emotions—recognizing the hard and uncomfortable emotions, sitting with them (NOT ignoring, stuffing, or downplaying), processing them, and replacing them with positive truth. Through this somewhat long and hard (but totally worth it!) process, a burden was lifted. I was no longer bogged down with the weight from the past! This breakthrough led me to want to help other women experience this same freedom, so I started my path to counseling.

At 39, the still small voice of God prompted me to read Revelation. This was against my will and desire, because I was planning to watch the latest episode of the Real Housewives but I put down the remote and picked up my Bible. I asked the Lord to lead me and teach me by the power of the Holy Spirit and committed to not picking up any popular books on Revelation. That was the start of a two week walk/study through the Book of Revelation. It was unbelievable! My faith, my passion, and my heart were immediately changed. That summer was spent on cloud nine, witnessing to strangers, loving and seeing people deeper, reading the Bible constantly, praying more than I ever have. In late fall, I allowed lies to start creeping in. My strong, “this is the only position” on the pre-tribulation rapture theology changed during my intense study to more of a mid- or post-tribulation rapture and it shook me more than I thought. I had put a lot of trust and confidence into the preachers, teachers, and Bible study books & guides that had taught me that theology. This honestly put me in a crisis of faith. I started to doubt some of my core beliefs, wondering what other areas I had wrong because I relied so heavily on the words and teachings of pastors. I felt misled. How come I wasn’t informed on other timelines? Or equipped to endure? If I felt shaken, who else would feel like this? I wanted to share my new understandings with everyone. But the lies kept coming, “Who do you think you are? You’re no theologian, no pastor, no teacher, you don’t know the Bible. Why would anyone listen to you? You’re not even witnessing right. No one wants to talk end-times.” And on and on they went. Although I was thankful for the truth, negative thoughts began to take root. With the new uncertainties of the world, anxiety crept in and left me sleepless, restless, deathly skinny, confused, and ultimately robbed of my joy. It was a hard battle. At times, it felt like the anxiety and fear would never end. But by the grace and loving kindness of God, strong support from family and friends, and coping skills learned earlier on in my journey, I am here today. I am stronger in my faith, released from the grip of anxiety and fear, emotionally healthy, and confident that God has a plan and purpose for each of us who love Him.

My practice will be coaching women and teens through anxiety - noting what the triggering event is, identifying the emotion/feeling at that time, asking why they feel like this (what thought/difficult memory maybe contributing to this), asking if there is any support to this negative thought and then establishing new thoughts that are true and backed in Scripture. Capturing, demolishing and renewing our thoughts (II Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:2). Other areas of focus will include emotional health, self-worth, life transition, and spiritual growth.

In my current coaching interactions with women, we focused on self-worth/value. When someone has been told or it’s implied, that they are not wanted, good enough, loved or love is based on performance, it often spills over into how we believe God feels/views us and how we view Him. These core beliefs affect our behavior especially in a time of turmoil. I believe that understanding the truths about God’s character and knowing how He views us is the foundation to healing. When our views/beliefs about God are distorted, our thoughts and behavior will reflect that. This process begins by reading through Ephesians 1-3 - having them circle every time is says ‘In Him’, ‘In Christ’, ‘In love’, and ‘But God’, and then underline what is that has been given to us or who we are because of it. Meditating on who we are because of Christ in us, is life transforming. If you’ve ever felt unworthy of love, you can know that in Christ we are chosen, blessed, redeemed, adopted, given an inheritance, sealed, loved, created for good works, saved, alive, citizens of heaven, bold, access to knowledge and wisdom, and we have hope. Regardless of what we are told or feel from others, these truths stand firm.

Opening and closing each session in prayer is important and something I try to incorporate every time. Also, I cannot do this coaching practice on my own strength and knowledge so I will be personally praying for guidance and wisdom constantly, knowing that He will give freely to those who ask (James 1:5). Meditating on these truths/works and promises of God will transform your mind. Our thinking changes the narrative of our living.

I’m a huge fan of worship music and how it can positively impact your thoughts and attitude. It’s often playing in my house, office, going for walks and in the car. When you’re in a state of worship singing about the goodness of God, it’s hard to be gripped with fear, anxiety, and self-doubt.

Though I will include solitude as part of the disciplines for clients, as a people person who is very task oriented, it’s difficult (not impossible) for me to make purposeful time away from all the noise and busyness of life. However, I have found the value when I do spend time alone for the purpose of hearing from the Lord. I never walk away disappointed.

ICCI Applicant Attestation

Note: The following statements require your attestation (affirming each one to be true to the best of your knowledge). Please be sure to respond to each and every section regarding yourself and your Life Coaching practice or ministry.

The foundation to all work and identity as a Christian Life Coach is a living, vibrant, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The following statements require your attestation (affirming each one to be true to the best of your knowledge). Please be sure to review each and every section that directly pertains to you and your professional life coaching, and/or ministerial work. The information it contains is important and will be referenced in the Application Form. Depending on your responses, additional information may be required in order to process your Application. 

SECTION A: Christian Personal Testimony

SECTION B: Christian Coaching Testimony (Required)

The practice of Christian Life Coaching genuinely incorporates scriptural truths, biblical principles and guidance, and a Christian value system into one’s coaching/ministerial practice, theoretical orientation, and professional life. ICCI is dedicated to credentialing Christian Life Coaches, not simply people and lay helpers who happen to be Christian, but do not incorporate their faith into practice. Please respond to the following items by checking the appropriate box: (Required)

SECTION C: Ethical Integrity (Required)

Each applicant must demonstrate and maintain ethical integrity in all Life Coaching, ministerial, and professionally related activities. Please note that a Yes answer to any of the following questions will not necessarily disqualify you for the credential you are seeking. If the case has been properly remedied and/or disposed of, and you are under no current ethical complaint or investigation, then the application process can proceed. Please respond to the following items by checking the appropriate box:

• I Agree

ICCI Applicant Agreement

CERTIFICATION

Applicants certify all information in the Application Packet is true and complete, and understand they have the burden of producing all information necessary for ICCI to fairly and fully evaluate their qualifications, background, ethics, and Christian character in order to be considered for one of the ICCI credentials. They agree to inform ICCI of any changes in this information. Misstatements or omissions from the Application may be cause for denial of appointment or reappointment of the credential. Applicants further agree that any subsequent adverse information about them and/or their practice may be cause for disciplinary action – including the possibility of having the credential suspended or revoked.

AUTHORIZATION

Applicants authorize and give the ICCI consent to contact and, without restriction, discuss any issues pertaining to their character and qualifications with individuals submitting recommendation forms or providing mentoring services. Consent is given for the release of all information, records, and documents, by whatever means the ICCI chooses to collect this data, and to assist them in the good-faith evaluation of their Application. If a question arises in the future about their character and qualifications to the credential, they agree to assist the ICCI in its efforts to resolve any questions it may have.

INDEMNIFICATION

Applicants release from any and all liability ICCI, Hope Together Network, LLC, Hope for the Heart, JAWS, LLC, and any individual officers, directors, employees, or agents of these organizations for any and all acts done in good faith and without malice or intent to harm in connection with the evaluation of their Application for an ICCI credential.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

If a dispute arises between the applicant and ICCI regarding the application or any future matter, applicants agree to engage in dispute resolution that (1) first attempts direct negotiation; (2) then attempts mediation with a mediator acceptable to both parties; (3) then uses arbitration and binding arbitration to resolve the matter, which mediation/arbitration shall take place in Dallas, Texas.

CREDENTIAL RESOLUTION

Applicants resolve to support the mission and goals of the ICCI and further agree to abide by and fully adhere to the ICCI Doctrinal Statement. They have not hidden, nor omitted any necessary information related to receiving the credential. If they qualify, they will hold their ICCI credential in the highest regard, honor the calling of God in Christian Life Coaching, and maintain both excellence and an ethical stance as a servant-leader in the field. Furthermore, they will strive to avoid all behavior that compromises the name of Christ, the cause of Christian Life Coaching, and the purposes of the ICCI.

Applicants acknowledge they have read, discussed as needed, and fully understand this Agreement. They acknowledge that by signing the formal Application Form, they do hereby agree with all consent and authorization statements that are described herein.

• I Agree

Credential Requirements

Basic Requirements

Continuing Education Requirements

All ICCI credential holders are required to obtain 15 CONTACT HOURS of Continuing Education on an annual basis and these hours must incorporate biblical principles and coaching skills with theory, knowledge, and practice.

Continuing Education is a term that applies to obtaining contact hours across a broad range of post-secondary (beyond high school) learning activities and programs. Some examples include degree credit courses, non-degree career training, self-directed learning, experiential learning, seminars, symposiums, workshops, conference presentations, and classroom lectures. The method and format of delivery may be face-to-face, distance/online learning, printed texts/workbooks, the use of videotaped materials, etc.

ICCI approved Continuing Education and competency activities can occur in the following categories:

Category #1: Continuing Education activities that the credential holder ENGAGES in as a RECIPIENT

NOTE: A minimum of ten (10) contact hours of the required total number of hours must be from Category #1

• Formally organized learning (college/university courses, workshops, seminars, professional or ministerial conferences, presentations, home study, etc.). The delivery of content may be either face-to-face or electronic (e.g., CD, DVD, computer, Web-based, etc.)
• Training experiences at churches or other Christian organizations that resulted in a certificate of completion or other verifiable documentation of participation
• Publications (e.g., journals, magazines, etc.) that have a CE component and a process providing verification of completion
• Coaching supervision and/or consultation that is received and documented

Category #2: Continuing Education activities that the credential holder PROVIDES as a FACILITATOR

• Facilitating, training or presenting at an organized conference/seminar/class that incorporates biblical principles and life coaching skills with theory, knowledge, and practice (the same presentation may only be used once in a renewal period)
• Teaching a post-secondary class that incorporates biblical principles and life coaching skills with theory, knowledge, and practice (the same course may only be used once in a renewal period)
• Producing new training materials and/or curriculum that incorporates biblical principles and coaching skills with theory, knowledge, and practice
• Publishing (a book, book chapter, journal/magazine article, etc.)

Acceptable Forms of Documentation for Continuing Education activities:

• Certificates of Completion
• CE letters or other forms documenting participation
• Official transcripts and/or diplomas
• Reprints of published articles, book chapters, training materials, etc.
• Proof of presentations that were given and/or courses that were taught
• Formal letters from supervisors and/or consultants

• I Agree

References

Processing your application begins when all references are received. Please alert your references to watch for emails from ICCI requesting their reference for your credential approval. White-listing our email address ([email protected]) will ensure emails arrive in inboxes rather than spam/junk folders

Sign and Send

• I Agree

I affirm and attest by my electronic signature below that I have answered all questions in this Application truthfully and have done so to the best of my knowledge and with full disclosure. I further authorize ICCI to verify this information and understand that in the process of verification, these facts might become known to third parties. I expressively waive any claim to confidentiality of the material enclosed in this Application except where otherwise noted.