Dr. John Mark Yeats, the president of Corban University in Salem, was the keynote speaker Thursday morning at the 2025 Clark County Prayer Breakfast, and he says adults should make a stand for the younger generation

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

The title of the keynote speaker’s words on Thursday morning was “It’s For Our Kids.”

The challenge, though, was for the adults in the room, to make a stand for our children.

That was the theme at the 24th Annual Clark County Prayer Breakfast, held at Hilton Vancouver.

“It is our responsibility, when we think about the coming generations, to transmit our values, to transmit our appreciation for God’s design of life,” said Dr. John Mark Yeats, president of Corban University in Salem, after he gave the keynote address. “That every life matters, that we transmit the faithfulness that we are supposed to live. If we can do that, we will see a coming generation that continues to blossom and grow.”

The vision of the Clark County Prayer Breakfast is to inspire Clark County residents to honor, encourage, and support each other. The mission is to inspire residents, businesses, and organizations to honor, thank, and pray for community leaders and those who serve and protect us.

Yeats is proud to lead a Christian college in the Northwest, the last one in the region, he proclaimed, that requires each student to profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

“At Corban University, we exist with one simple mission,” he told the audience Thursday morning. “To educate Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.”

There are so many other avenues to reach young people, though. 

It starts with all adults of faith.

“When we think of the kids, we need faithful men and women to rise up, to speak up, to stand up, to sacrifice, to show Christ above all,” Yeats said.

He then shared a personal story about his grandfather. A youngster who struggled in school, he was sent to the garage in hopes that someone could teach him how to “turn a wrench.” The mechanic not only taught the boy a trade, but the mechanic also shared the story of Jesus.

“The mechanic began the process of sharing with my grandfather of the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. My grandfather didn’t know anything about hope,” Yeats said. “This Good News transformed his life and gave him a community.”

Those discussions changed a boy’s life, and generations to follow. Yeats’ grandparents met because of their faith. They raised a family. Yeats’ father became a pastor and an author, a leader of churches throughout the Midwest. Uncles, siblings, cousins, all flourished because of the mechanic who once told a young boy about Jesus.

“All because someone did this,” Yeats said. “A name we don’t even know decided my grandfather had worth and value and chose to invest in him. All because he understood, it’s for the kids.”

Years later, Yeats and his wife find themselves living in Oregon.

“Corban University was looking for a president,” Yeats explained. 

Turns out, his late mother-in-law was born and raised in Salem.

“There was a really sweet connection there,” Yeats said. “My wife and I love the Pacific Northwest. We just love it. There are so many great things here.”

Including the Clark County Prayer Breakfast.

“This event is such a reminder for people of all faiths, but really across the Christian community, we have to be praying,” Yeats said. “And we have to be seeking God above all. If we can do that and unify on that, we can rise together.”

The breakfast honored civic leaders and public officials, and also allowed for nonprofit organizations to provide a snapshot of what they stand for in Clark County. The platinum sponsors of the breakfast are US Digital, Holland Partners Group, and King’s Way Christian Schools.

Dr. Jason Tindol, superintendent of King’s Way Christian Schools, addressed the audience, as well. 

Also, 12 students at local faith-based high schools took turns to pray for a number of people. They prayed for teachers, families, businesses, political leaders, churches, the military, first responders, those in the medical field, for the unborn and orphans, for those battling addictions, the elderly, and those who are unemployed. 

In all, more than 40 local businesses and organizations sponsored this year’s prayer breakfast.