Greater Works: Bearing Fruit in God's Economy of Increase

GREATER WORKS
By Terry Sparks, Executive Director

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."
— John 14:12 (ESV)

Have you ever wondered how you could do greater works than Jesus?

It is the nature of God’s economy for there to be a continual state of increase. The seeds in the apples on a single apple tree will produce multiple times more trees. Even Jesus spoke of Himself as a singular vine from which multiple branches bear an abundance of fruit (John 15:1–8). In fact, in John 15:8 Jesus tells us:

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

We prove to be His disciples by bearing much fruit—not just fruit. Jesus is not satisfied with just fruit. A true disciple of Christ should expect to bear much fruit by letting Christ live His life through him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told His disciples that they would produce “greater works” than He did "because I am going to the Father." What was the significance of His going to the Father? Because He went to the Father, He sent us the Holy Spirit. Every true believer receives the Holy Spirit.

In the original Greek text of John 14:12, the word “works” does not appear in the second clause—only the adjective “greater.” “Works” is a faithful translation because Jesus had just referenced “works” in the first part of the verse.

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, you should expect to duplicate His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17). Ask God today to show you the “greater works” He wants you to carry out in your home, your church, and your community.

"The unfinished task which lies before us is no greater than the unlimited power of God behind us."
— Fred D. Jarvis

God is allowing us to do "Greater Works!"

🎓 CLASSROOM HIGHLIGHTS: FALL 2026 COHORT

Real voices and theological insights from our ongoing morning and evening courses.

Our Fall 2026 semester is in full swing across both our Day Class Morning Track and our ELIM Institute Evening Track (serving Burmese leaders). The morning students have just wrapped up intensive practicums in Bible Study Methods (BSM) and are diving deep into Old Testament Survey (OTS).

🌍 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: GLOBAL MISSIONS & OUTREACH

🎓 Alumni Spotlight | Meet David

• Name: David
• Home Country: Myanmar (Burma)
• Ministry Focus: Pastoral leadership, daily small group evangelism, and community education.
• Theological Growth: David's training at Clarkston Bible Institute (2019-2020) equipped him with practical ministry skills and biblical grounding, allowing him to shepherd a growing congregation of 260 members and sustain active small group outreach amidst severe local curfews.
• In His Words:

I would like to share about my ministry in Chin State, Burma. There are 58 houses and 260 members at my church. I started a small group and preach the gospel every day. As you know, from 6pm to 6am no one is allowed to go outside (Due to martial law and curfew restrictions). If I hadn't attended Clarkston Bible Institute I wouldn't be equipped to conduct the small group ministry. In addtion, I also started Nursery School in 2024, by the grace of God. The school year begins June to March every year. I have 5 teachers and 50 students this year. All are volunteer teachers. I pray that God continues to send his manifold blessings upon the Clarkston Bible Institute."

🌲 Thailand / Burma Border Training Center:

We give praise for continued progress at the 5-acre training center near the Thailand/Burma border which is being established with the goal of equipping displaced youth who are hungry for God's Word and training emerging leaders to minister to their communities. The goal is that the project will be completed and ready in early spring to meet and serve as the location for the upcoming youth camp the first of week April and the seven-month mission training school afterwards.

🎉 SAVE THE DATE: CBI 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

Join us as we celebrate a decade of God's faithfulness in training refugee, immigrant, and international leaders!

• Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
• Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT (Catered Fellowship Dinner at 5:00 PM | Program at 6:00 PM)
• Location: Clarkston International Bible Church (CIBC) Fellowship Hall & Worship Center
• Highlights:
  • 10-Year Retrospective Video Presentation
  • Special cultural musical performances and worship led by our international fellowship
  • Live and video testimonies from alumni serving in Uganda, Kenya, Nepal, and Myanmar
  • Interactive ministry displays and global mission highlights

🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS & SCHEDULE

• Daily Monday - Friday (9:00 AM EDT): Sep 1–30, 2026: Fall Old Testament Survey (OTS) module in session (Historical, Wisdom & Prophetic Books).
• Weekly Tuesdays & Thursdays (9:30 PM EDT): ELIM Institute Burmese Cohort Class (Live Zoom with translation).
• Nov 7, 2026 (5:00 PM EDT): CBI 10-Year Anniversary Celebration at CIBC.

🎒 CURRENT NEEDS & PRAYER REQUESTS

💲 Financial Needs: Student Scholarships

Become a life change partner by helping to provide tuition for theological education and course materials to international church leaders and refugee students in Clarkston and abroad.

🙏🏼 Prayer Points

• Praise: Thank you for your prayers for a new teacher. We are pleased to report the addition of a new teacher to our staff.
• For Our Students: Pray for clarity, diligence, and spiritual fruit as our students balance family, work, and rigorous Old Testament studies.
• For Myanmar / Burma: Pray for peace, safety, and physical protection for our alumni, students, and their families amidst intense civil conflict and forced conscription.
• For Daniel in Uganda: Pray for the fruitfulness of the discipleship school and ongoing community ministry in Mukono.
• For the 10-Year Celebration: Pray that our gathering on November 7 will be a powerful time of thanksgiving, unity, and renewed vision for the next decade of ministry.

Clarkston Bible Institute (CBI) — Entrusting God's Word to Faithful Leaders (2 Timothy 2:2)