We are excited to report that we had six students in our inaugural class, two Americans, two from Myanmar (Burma) and two from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Four graduated. One of those that did not graduate decided to go to seminary. The other had difficulty making his schedule work and eventually finished five of the ten courses.
Two of the graduates immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, one from Myanmar (Burma) and one American. The graduates from the Congo are both from the same Swahili speaking Congolese church. One is the pastor, and the other was key to helping the church begin. The good news is the church has grown significantly since graduation.
The graduate from Myanmar went back to his home country to tell his people about the Holy Spirit. The American graduate is currently in language training preparing for missionary service in Chad.
Our second graduating class included fifteen students. The fifteen graduates include three Burmese pastors, a Burmese youth pastor, a Burmese church leader who will become a pastor, a Karenni (people group of Burmese) church leader and two Karenni gap year students who graduated the previous May from high school, two Congolese church leaders, a leader from the Ivory Coast, an American who is an elder in an Arabic church, and three more Burmese church leaders.
We have fifteen students in our current class. Seven are Burmese, three are African American, two are Sudanese, another moved to Clarkston from Sudan with his parents when he was about two years old, one is a mixed race American, and one a white Caucasian American. Four of the Burmese students were referred by previous Clarkston Bible Institute graduates.
Abraham Deng and Family Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Sudan
Marital Status: Married to Rena
Children: 3
Education: 2 years college
Occupation: Missionary
Pastoral Experience: 15 years
Ordained: No
About CBI: I have found the teaching to be simply presented in the manuals, and I look forward to using this training in the villages of Sudan.
Armin McMahan Class of 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Marital Status: Married to Colleen
Children: 3
Education and Experience: Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Licensed Social Worker in Ohio
Occupation: Missionary, Globe Ministries
About CBI: Clarkston Bible Institute helped me to be more intentional in Bible study. It is equipping me for intermediate and long-term discipleship ministry.
Auko Choza Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Marryshia Choza
Children: 3
Education: Bachelor of Theology, Yangon, Union Bible Seminary, Yangon
Occupation: Pastor of Mara Evangelical Church
Pastoral Experience: Malaysia 1 ½ years
United States, Tucker, GA 5 years
Ordained or Licensed: by Rev. Dr. L.B. Siama
About CBI: I studied the Word of God in school in Burma, but I did not understand very well; Now when I read and study the Bible, it is very clear, and I have confidence in my ministry.
Aw Reh Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Thailand
Marital Status: Single
Education: High School Graduate, Clarkston, GA
Church Experience: I work with youth, sometimes practice for Bible study and lead worship.
About CBI: I am learning and understanding more about God.
Ceu Peng Lian Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 3
Education: Bachelor of Theology, Chin Christian College, Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar
Occupation: Pastor of Georgia Chin Baptist Church
Pastoral Experience: 2 years
Ordained: No
About CBI: Most of the members of the church I pastor are from Myanmar. After we are 7 or 8 years in America we experienced that our kids have been impacted negatively by the American culture, especially thoughts about religion and morality. I came to Clarkston Bible Institute to find help for how I can help our kids. The teachers are good and well prepared, and I appreciate their devotion.
Ganaro Makor Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Sudan
Marital Status: Single
Education: Associate of Science
Occupation: After School and Summer Camp Coordinator at Clarkston International Bible Church
Church Experience: Care Group Leader
About CBI: I have enjoyed surveying the Old Testament through Clarkston Bible Institute, and I am challenged to deeper study.
Issa Mpenda Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Marital Status: Married to Nehome Wichonja
Children: 3
Education: High School in Kigoma, Tanzania
Occupation: Construction
Church Experience: Church Secretary of the Leadership Committee
About CBI: I understand more about the Old Testament and New Testament and can share with others. I learned more about God, His Power and how He works in people’s lives. I now am motivated to help others.
John Pauno Zo Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 3
Education: XII Class College
Occupation: Part-time ministry in Zo Presbyterian Church
Full-time work at Inland Seafood in Tucker
Pastoral Experience: 2 years ministry at Zo Christian Fellowship in Malaysia
In 2014 Assist Pastor of First Zo Christian Church in USA
In 2016 Assist Pastor of Zo Presbyterian Church in Clarkston
Ordained: 2012 in Malaysia
About CBI: Attending Clarkston Bible Institute has very much impacted me personally and in my ministry because I have learned how to preach and how to study the Bible, especially Observation (What does it say?), Interpretation (What does it mean?), and Application (What shall I do?). Thank you to
Clarkston Bible Institute faculty.
Jonathan Ramon Harper Class of 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Marital Status: Married
Children: 2 daughters
Education: High School graduate, Film School, Atlanta Area Tech
Occupation: Service Department Toyota dealership
Pastoral and Ministry Experience: 16 years
Ordained: December 11, 2016
About CBI: I am very glad to be part of Clarkston Bible Institute. Terry has been very gracious to allow me based on my schedule. Clarkston Bible Institute teaches one a lot about Bible knowledge, theology, ministry and preaching. The manuals provide a more in-depth overview of the Bible.
Lillie Hayes Class of 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Marital Status: Single
Education: Junior DeKalb Technical College
Occupation: Tax Professional
About CBI: Attending Clarkston Bible Institute has helped me get a better understanding of God’s Word through extensive studying of the Bible. It has strengthened my faith. I have learned God’s instruction for life is in His Word, and it gives me hope and wisdom. I also love fellowshipping with my classmates and instructors.
Luca Peh Class of 2019
Date of Birth: November 12, 1957
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Klaesay Maw
Children: 4
Education: Level 6, ESL
Occupation: Home Care for elderly people
Church Experience: Committee member
About CBI: I know how to study the Bible, and I know more about God. This training has given me more confidence to teach others.
Lukozi Pilipili Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Marital Status: Married to Azama Kamango
Children: 6
Education: High School Graduate, Kala Institute
Church Experience: Assembly of Christians of Kinshasa
About CBI: I know God better and am more obedient. This training has inspired me a lot, and I can now preach.
Moses Thein Aung Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Single
Education: GED
Occupation: Youth Pastor, Cross Assembly of God
Ordained or Licensed: No
About CBI: Clarkston Bible Institute is an answer to prayer for ways to understand the Bible. I have been helped in my youth ministry.
Niang Muan Ciang Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 6
Education: High School
Occupation: House Wife
About CBI: I now know the Holy Spirit helps me understand the Bible as I share with my Sunday School class. Clarkston Bible Institute has helped me be more like Christ and has helped me stand against temptation. I am so happy to be here.
Pa Tin Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Khin Ma Lwin
Children: 5
Education: Bachelor of Theology, Hakha, Myanmar
Occupation: Pastor of Georgia Zotung Baptist Church
Pastoral Experience: 17 years
Myanmar
Malaysia
United States, Decatur, GA
Ordained: by Zotung Baptist Association, Myanmar
About CBI: I know more abut God; study about God basically and systematically has helped and encouraged me for my ministry.
Patricia Rivas Class of 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Marital Status: Single/Divorced
Children: 2
Education: Some College
Occupation: Tax Professional
About CBI: Clarkston Bible Institute has been very helpful with my witness about Jesus to others. I now understand that I’m very important to God and realize that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Peter Na Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 1 Daughter
Education: High School
Occupation: Senior Home Care Part-time
Pastoral Experience: Leading Home Church 2 years
About CBI: Clarkston Bible Institute has helped me a lot to learn how to study the Scriptures, and now I have confidence to teach others.
Pray Meh Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Thailand
Marital Status: Single
Education: High School Graduate, Clarkston, GA
Church Experience: I mostly lead worship for the youth.
About CBI: I am getting closer to the Lord, learning to love others, and have greater confidence to minister to others.
Rachel Buck Class of 2020
Country of Origin: United States
Marital Status: Single
Education: Bachelors Degree, Georgia State University
Occupation: Nanny
Church Experience: International Student Ministry
About CBI: Clarkston Bible Institute has given me a better understanding of the Bible. I’ve fallen more in love with Jesus and as a result been able to share of his love more effectively with international students who come from countries where hearing the Gospel would be illegal or dangerous.
Yao Roger Kouassi (Roger) Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Ivory Coast
Marital Status: Married to Pierretta Olga Kouassi
Children: 6
Education: University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Occupation: Mission Salomon Pastor, Attorney in Ivory Coast
Ordained: No
About CBI: I wanted to grow deeper in sound doctrine. People tend to preach what they think rather than the Word of God. The truth is only what is written in the Word of God. I am more comforted in what I preach and communicate to others. I am learning the importance of discipleship.
San Aung Than Tuep Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Nan Yin Than Tuep
Children: 1
Education: Basic Education State High School, Matupi, Myanmar
Church Experience: One of the leaders of Matu Christian Church in Tucker and Chin Christian Fellowship in Malaysia
About CBI: I thought believing God was enough, but I now understand the need to obey based on practicing the Christian faith. I shared with the church how to study the Bible and what is in the Bible.
Sui Hmung Lian (David) Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Cer Cin
Children: 2
Education: Bachelor of Theology, New Life College, Bangalore, India
Occupation: Pastor of Mara Baptist Church, Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar
Pastoral Experience:
1994 – 1999: a missionary at Htilin Town, western part of Myanmar
2000 – present: Teaching, preaching, and counseling ministry at Mara Baptist Church, Chin State, Myanmar
Thla Ki Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 2
Education: High Diploma
Occupation: Department Leader
Pastoral Experience: Serving as church chairman at Mara Community Church, Clarkston, Georgia
About CBI: Attending Clarkston Bible Institute has helped me grow spiritually. I know how to better study the Bible, and I appreciated learning the origin and background of the Bible.
Thomas Hrang Lian Class of 2019
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married to Esther Sui Te
Children: 2
Education: Bachelor of Theology, Hakha, Myanmar
Occupation: Pastor of Georgia Lautu Baptist Church
Pastoral Experience: 6 years
Myanmar
United States, Tucker, GA
Ordained or Licensed: by Lautu Churches of America
About CBI: I understand better the plan of God in the Old Testament and New Testament and have taught the people in the church I pastor.
Van Ro Lian Class of 2020
Country of Origin: Myanmar
Marital Status: Married
Children: 4
Education: Completed High School
Occupation: Printer, Treasurer in my church
About CBI: I better understand how to teach the Bible to people in my church. After graduation from Clarkston Bible Institute, I want to be an evangelist.