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Recently, Susie Battle of MBC Loudoun interviewed Mike Reed, the Director of Student Ministries at MBC Loudoun. Read Part 1, Part 2

SB: What excites you most about what God is doing in the Rock?

Mike: He is literally changing lives. We’re really seeing 2 Corinthians 5:17 new creations – not just kids who say they believe in God, but disciples who are actively displaying those attributes. It’s really cool. The Bible says believers are a brand new person, and we can really see that in these kids. It’s a challenge seeing immediate fruit in kids’ lives, but it’s cool to see them embracing God.

SB: And you get to disciple these kids!

Mike: If a kid asks me to meet, I’ll never tell them no. If I see potential in a kid, I definitely pour into him. I also look for kids who seem off the deep end. Those are really fun challenges.

SB: You’ve preached over 100 sermons. Which ones have been most challenging for you personally?

Mike: Definitely when we taught through the book of Galatians last year. It really made you examine if you were doing the daily duty of a Christian because you felt like you were gaining favor in God’s eyes or just out of a response of gratitude for the mercy and grace He’s shown you. It made you examine if your salvation is through works or through truly relying on Christ. The whole series was called “Grace in Galatians.” I think it can be a real challenge to accept God’s grace because we’re taught we have to earn everything in life. It’s hard for us to understand that by doing nothing, God is crazy about you. God just walks up and hands it to you.

The kids all say that was their favorite series. We were in the café then, and kids were standing in the back.

SB: Oh yes, the days of the café! Are you enjoying your new space?

Mike: We can breathe! We don’t have to bring in the stage every week and look at PPT on a TV screen that kids have to squint to see. It’s really great.

SB: I hear you have amazing volunteers – really consistent and devoted.

Mike: Very devoted. They come to everything. They go to a regular service and the Rock service every week. Rich runs sound for both services every week as a volunteer. Our volunteers are amazing. Our House Group Bible Study volunteers come every Sunday and every Thursday. They’re amazing.

SB: Do you have any advice for parents of teens?

Mike: Don’t only tell students what to do as spiritual disciplines. Live them out. They will make much more of an impact by watching you do it than hearing you tell them to do it.