Don't stop singing

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19

It was Easter Sunday 1998. A handful of believers had gathered inside a store-front located on a square in downtown Brussels, Belgium. We were there to sing praises to the resurrected Christ and to worship our Lord. In the middle of the square was a basketball court. Around 10, older teenage Muslim boys were loudly playing basketball, laughing, and shouting. As we began to sing our praises, the Muslim boys suddenly grew silent. Then quite unexpectedly, at the windows and at the door, these young men began banging loudly on the glass, almost breaking it! They started screaming “Shut up! Shut up! We don’t want to hear about your Jesus! Get out of our square. Shut up!”

Since the beginning of Christendom, Jesus had warned of the hostility and the hatred that the world would heap upon his followers. Yet, even with his warning, the venom of the world’s opposition is hard to understand. Isn’t the gospel supposed to be “Good news?” So, Jesus teaches us an up-side down, that-doesn’t-make-sense, un-natural way to respond to this type of hatred. He says:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you …. 32  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love you.” Luke 6:27-28; 32

Here at Clarkston Bible Institute, we challenge you to learn the Word of God, not just for yourselves and your church, but also for the haters. Will you take it outside the walls of your church into the marketplace where 97% of the world will hate you for it? That’s a sobering question. Violence against a Biblical worldview always has been and always will be a frightening reality that comes hand-in-hand with the telling of the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

Our little children were frightened that day when the Muslim boys began banging on our windows. They began crying and cowering into their parent’s arms as the shouting continued.

But, we didn’t stop singing! It was Easter Sunday and our Lord Jesus Christ had risen!

It’s our prayer for all of our Clarkston Bible Institute graduates and all of our future graduates, that you will never stop singing. Jesus is Lord of all! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

🌍 Impact Report: Beyond the Classroom

Refugee Ministry Update: Courage in the Forest

In our last newsletter, we shared, we were overjoyed that 51 Karenni youth (a Burmese ethnic group) were baptized during a summer camp that was held last month in the region near Thailand/Burma (Myanmar). To escape the threat of the Burmese military, the camp was held deep within the forest from April 2–29. The program was led by three of of our own Clarkston Bible Institute graduates and one of our graduate’s wife. Due to security and safety concerns we have removed the videos associated with this trip from our social media platforms.

These 51young believers now join 43 young people who were baptized last year plus another 18 who wanted to be baptized but were too young, and all of them share a deep hunger to be discipled. Currently living as displaced people and refugees in a camp in Thailand, their situation is urgent.

Good News:  The leader of the summer camp was able to get a 60-day visa, and he and his family are there for 60 days to disciple and train disciples. He wants to stay there and minister so pray that he can make some progress on obtaining a long-term visa while there. 

Please pray for us as we seek to provide ongoing discipleship for these 112 young souls in such a challenging environment. We request that you consider contributing to this initiative.

If you are someone you know is interested in attending Clarkston Bible Institute this Fall apply now.

If you are an Alumni of Clarkston Bible Institute you are always welcome to attend any of 2026-2027 Classes Regular Session at no cost.

🗓️ Upcoming Events

• 27 JUL 2026: Start of the semester for the class of 2026-2027.
• FALL 2026: Clarkson Bible Institute will mark its 10-year anniversary.

🎒 Current Needs & Prayer Requests

💲Financial Needs:
We are currently seeking funding for our Student Scholarships, particularly for students from Myanmar. Many of our international students, particularly those from East Africa and South East Asia, rely on these scholarship funds to complete their one-year intensive training.

🙏🏼Prayer Points:

• For Clarkston: For peace and dignity among the diverse families living in the 30021 zip code.

• For Future Leaders: That God would call more students to join our next Clarkston area cohort, which starts in July 2026.

• Pray For Teachers: That God will send Clarkston Bible Institute at least two more teachers with the same heart as our board and current faculty.

• Pray For Thailand, Burma (Myanmar)Teachers: Pray for us as we seek the best way to provide ongoing discipleship for those that are coming to Christ in Thailand and Burma (Myanmar).