This June, the Middle School Ministry took 9 8th graders to Clarkston, Georgia, to share the gospel with refugees residing in the area. Led by Jordan and Aslyn, the group partnered with Clarkston International Bible Church, who trained them on how to minister and evangelize to refugees each morning. In the afternoons, students helped lead a backyard Bible Club for about 20 children living in a nearby apartment complex, many of whom come from refugee families. 

Jordan’s hope for the trip was for students to learn more about evangelism, cross-cultural ministry, and world religions to better equip them for service in Charleston and beyond. He was encouraged by the students’ positive attitudes, eagerness to learn, and especially by how well they loved on the refugee kids that week. He commented that many of these students had never participated in a gospel conversation before but that by the end of the week, they all were able to either share the gospel personally or watch someone they know do so.

Aslyn commented that one of the highlights of the trip was interacting with Ms. Mariam, a Pakistani believer who fed the team and encouraged them with her testimony of faith. “Ms. Mariam was full of the joy of the Lord and encouraged us to enjoy God and His goodness. Our night at her home was full of so much laughter as we ended the night dancing,” Aslyn recounted. 

This trip was a success in more ways than one. Not only did ECBC students grow in their knowledge and abilities to share the gospel cross-culturally, but many gospel seeds were planted among these refugee children. Most of them came from families who practiced other religions and had never heard the gospel before. 

Please be in prayer for the students who went on the trip and for the children and families with whom they shared the gospel. Below are some specific prayer points: 

• Pray that as the gospel goes forth in Clarkston to people from Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu backgrounds, many will come to follow Christ.
• Pray for Pastor Trent and his wife Elizabeth as they continue to follow up with those who heard the gospel on this trip and as they continue to minister among the refugee families in Clarkston. 
• Pray that Clarkston International Bible Church to continue to be fully funded and staffed with coordinators and interns.