Welcome! Well, the new class is here and are getting acclimated to life at McLean Bible Church. We’ll be doing a series of blogs to help you better get to know the Future Leader Class of 2010. Today we’re highlighting Kyle Cox, who works with The Rock, McLean Bible Church’s Youth Ministry, at the McLean Bible Church Loudoun Campus

My boss and I agree it’s a miracle that I’m in this program. Throughout history the only person I know that works miracles is God, so it is truly by His hand and choice that I am in this position.

To say that I expected to be in this program a year ago would be a huge lie. I studied broadcast journalism at the University of Maryland with the goal of becoming the next ESPN anchor. Nothing in my curriculum or my spiritual life at the time would have indicated that I should be working in ministry. I have known Christ since I was a teenager, but to that point I was just floating along. Prior to my senior year of college God woke me up and said play time is over, it’s time to truly follow me, and He took over my life. I studied Jesus’ words in Mark 8:34 before the semester and they revolutionized my life. “If any of you wants to be my follower you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.” My entire life I only focused on my objectives, never putting God’s kingdom first in my plans. During my final of year of college God started preparing me, without me knowing it, to enter full-time ministry.

When I applied for Future Leaders I sent it in at the very last moment, I pretty much prayed as I dropped the application in the mailbox at the post office because I wasn’t sure if it would make in time for the deadline. About a month later I was going through the interview process at the church. I walked in and met some of the other candidates and they completely blew my mind. They were all from seminary or other prominent Christian colleges, and I felt way under qualified to be apart of these final candidates. Next came the interview day. My first two interviews went pretty well, but I was the most excited about the third and final one of the day with the Rock student ministries. However, I felt the interview went pretty badly. When I left I didn’t really see myself being offered the position at the Rock, but I decided to be patient and see what God might do with this opportunity. Sure enough three weeks later I received a call and was offered a position with the Rock here at the Loudoun campus. I never thought about Loudoun as an option but God really provided beyond my expectations. I love being at this campus, my boss is a great match for me, and our volunteer staff is out of this world.

God has placed a burden on my heart for youth. Growing up I was blessed with great parents and God’s protection from most of the temptations that teens have to face in today’s world. To be honest, looking at the state of our world I don’t know how kids can live without God’s provision and avoid being crushed. The transforming power of the gospel is the only thing I can think of to free people from the troubles of the world. My prayer is that our ministry would leave a lasting impact for God’s kingdom here in Loudoun County.