The Difference a Week Can Make: Students Use Fall Break for Missions in Clarkston

Known as the most diverse square mile in the U.S., Clarkston is home to a massive refugee population, representing more than 100 people groups — many of whom are still unreached. With devotees to all the major world religions, Clarkston is a strategic hub for cross-cultural engagement and refugee ministry.

With a heart for every student to engage cross-culturally in missions, The College sent a team of 20 house system students to Clarkston to learn from missionaries with the North American Mission Board and to engage spiritual lostness through a variety of local ministries. Each of these experiences offered students opportunities to learn and to share the gospel with those who did not know Christ.

“Every opportunity we participated in in Clarkston was geared toward the Great Commission,” shared Chloe Rutherford, Southeastern’s student mobilizer and one of the Clarkston team leaders. “Whether that was worshiping with a multi-ethnic congregation, learning about how to care for refugees, or sharing Christ with families from South America, the gospel was at the heart of every experience.”

Chloe, who served in Clarkston with GenSend over the summer, was eager to return to Clarkston with a team of students from The College because she knew their heart for the nations would be encouraged, just as hers was during the summer.

“It was encouraging to go back this fall break with the house system to see the students joyfully embrace and serve the people in Clarkston,” commented Chloe. “I had a similar experience the first time I went to Clarkston, so it was a joy to share it with others from our school. Our team was willing to get uncomfortable for the gospel, so that’s always encouraging.”

During the week, students helped with after-school programs, taught ESL in several homes, served in refugee ministries, and visited local temples, sharing the gospel and their testimonies with people who did not know Christ. As students leveraged their fall break to serve the nations, God blessed their willingness to go and gave them opportunities to see him draw people to himself.

Reflecting on highlights from the week, students walked away encouraged and excited — eager for other house system students to also experience the blessing of ministry in Clarkston.