Since the start of my own blog, I’ve had the unique opportunity to interview some of my peers who are doing extraordinary work in extraordinary times. Their insights, perspectives and wisdom have sharpened me as a servant, husband, pastor and leader. Based on the numerous e-mails, calls and texts, I am confident to report that these interviews have impacted our readers as well.
To start 2017 off right, I knew I needed to interview someone whose passion and drive represented this generation well. I thought. I prayed. And a name popped up: Landon Schott. Some of you may be very familiar with Landon and his ministry. For others, this may be your first time hearing of him. But, his impact has made an indelible mark on how this generation receives Christ-centered quality content. Landon is a preacher, leader and trailblazer. Along with his wife Heather, Landon is the founder of REV Ministries and REVtv.com, a global media ministry serving youth and young adults. Landon is a profound preacher, prolific writer, and a proven leader. During our conversation, it was evident that God is working through Landon in ways that will continue to reverberate for generations to come.
It’s my prayer that your heart, mind and spirit will be strengthened and encouraged through this conversation.
DEEPEST DESIRE
RF: Landon, as the founder of REV Ministries and REVTv.com, your mission is to turn the hearts of a generation to God. You unapologetically emphasize the need of making Jesus famous. With this passion, what is your deepest desire to see among our generation of millennials and young adults?
Landon: Thanks Ryan. My deepest desire is to see a developing passion for God in our generation. At the start of 2017, we are embarking on a 21-Day Challenge of calling our nation to prayer and fasting (To find out more or to download the app for the 21-Day Challenge, check here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/21-dc/id946555591?mt=8). I found out that more you are in His Presence, you reflect Him more. It’s my desire to see the Holy Spirit move in our generation due to our passion to know Him more.
My other desire is to see disciplining take place. Our generation is know to do the BIG, BRIGHT AND RELEVANT. We are good at great events but horrible at follow-up and follow through. We make a BIG SPLASH but wind up TREADING WATER. My desire is to see a greater focus on corporate discipleship in the church and individual discipleship within families and communities. Being a leader in student ministry for 18 years, I championed daily discipleship. You can’t just do a bible reading plan (while this is needed). It’s a daily walk with God.
Recently, God released this revelation to me. In the Scriptures, Samson gave up his secret and he lost his strength. God said,
“When you give up your secret place, you lose your strength!”
We cannot afford to lose our strength!
I also desire to see greater biblical literacy on a national level. False teaching is rampant because many Christ-followers are biblically illiterate. We must go back to prayer and reading of God’s Word. For me, it must be the center of my life. I pray that same desire and passion will grow in our generation.
JESUS FOR A GENERATION
RF: It’s evident in your mission and vision that you desire to see Jesus made famous. How does this generation do that, even in the midst of opposition and apathy?
Landon: One time, a gay Christian leader told me that there is a difference between “good news” and “good advice”. They followed up by saying that not all of the Bible is “good news”. Immediately, I thought this was faulty perspective. The Bible is the Good News representing the Hope of the World. This hope is reflected in the person of Jesus Christ. Making Jesus famous is one day at a time. One decision at a time.
Practically, it’s obedience. Daily obedience to His Word. In the small things and the big things!
GAY AWARENESS
RF: You recently wrote a book called “Gay Awareness: Discovering the Heart of the Father and the Mind of Christ On Sexuality”. It caused quite a stir and a buzz, especially on social media. You’ve addressed many questions surrounding the book in the media, but here’s my question: why did you write this book?
Landon: Obedience is the reason I wrote it. A book for those who have a heart after God but their true temptation is same-sex attraction. I have taught on this subject before and are drawn to the gay community. I love the gay community. And writing this book was an assignment within an assignment. When writing the book, “Jezebel: The Witch Is Back”, I shared how she promoted homosexuality. I wanted to address this issue with sensitivity, compassion and His grace.
I say obedience because I didn’t want to write this book. I knew the response would be intimidating. I had a prayer walk with God. And the Holy Spirit said, “It is worth fighting.” After that, I was more afraid NOT TO OBEY that the consequences of obeying. The first way of responses was attack driven. But as the dust settled, it became an Amazon Best Seller overnight.
In the book, I cite 400 Scriptures on sexuality and the heart of God surrounding it. I’ve been encouraged by the numerous testimonies of how the book changed their lives. One reader shared how Gay Awareness was like a spiritual detox. After reading the book, the reader shared how they struggled with the temptation of same-sex attraction but had to follow God’s leading to go to Bible College. Ryan, this is one of my assignments.
And I’m grieved. I’m grieved at the gay Christian contradictions. I’m grieved how gay rights have been on marketed as on par with the Civil Rights movement. But, if we don’t have these conversations with the gay community, we forfeit the opportunity to share the love of God.
RF: You speak of the Civil Rights Movement in relation to the gay rights. As a leader, what do you feel is the civil rights movement of our day?
Landon: We need to talk directly and frankly about justice. But, not the politically correct social justice like the world tries to quench the thirst. Even the Civil Rights Movement did not quench the thirst. We are still thirsting after justice, now!
What I speak of is CIVIL RIGHTEOUSNESS: Heaven’s justice, not our own. I will be leading a prophetic conference in 2017 in Chicago to prophesy justice to our nation. Here’s the issue: We want to work on justice issues in the midst of heightened tensions sweeping our nation. It’s like the wise saying of working on your marriage in a time of peace, not a time of war. This will be an ongoing issue, but the conversation around civil righteousness must start with us.
POLITICAL DISCOURSE
RF: Our nation has endured a very bitter political election season. Over 65 million people voted for Secretary Hillary Clinton as the next President. But, approximately 63 million voted for Donald J. Trump and with his win in the electoral college, he will be the 45th President of the United States. Based on numbers and demographics alone, there is a large divide in our nation. After the election, I talked to many young adults. Some voted for Clinton. Some voted for Trump. Some didn’t vote at all. There were mixed emotions: some experienced severe disappointment and others experienced sheer joy. What’s your perspective and how do bridge the divide, Landon?
Landon: Ryan, this is a challenging subject. There are so many biases. It was characterized as the lesser of two evils and the greater response to the greater sin. My personal convictions surround the national genocide of abortion. God hates the shedding of innocent blood.
RF: I understand your grievance and convictions surrounding abortion. With that said, there were many other issues on the ballot including immigration, economic policy, foreign policy, civil rights and justice that others are as equally grieved about. Even in my conversations with young adults, I could see a tension while they didn’t agree with a candidate on every issue, they voted their convictions and conscience based on the issues or the qualifications of the candidate. How would address them?
Landon: I understand and my point is that we cannot have this conversation every four years during a presidential election. This is an ongoing conversation that needs to happen. I have come to this conclusion: Jesus is King and Lord. No political party is the answer. We have to roll up our sleeves and get to work in healing our nation and reconciling one to another. Again, not dealing with issues in a fight, but in a time of peace and unity. As we pray for the leadership of our nation, I also pray for the people of our great country.
PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM
RF: There are young adults, millennials and other leaders reading this interview. They may be facing challenges they never expected to face. Roadblocks may be in their way. What words of encouragement would you share with them on their journey?
Landon: [Pause] Don’t underestimate faithfulness.
God is truly faithful. In your 20s, many times you are fighting so hard and trying to make it. To make a mark. But I found out that its in your 30s that you start seeing the provision and faithfulness of God in response to your faithfulness to Him. And it will never be an equal return. It’s always an abundance!
I would also encourage your readers to value leadership, strategies and how to grow. Value the leadership that you are held accountable to. Promote strategies that stir healthy growth, not simply fast growth. And learn the lessons of how to grow in a balanced way.
But once again, value faithfulness. I’ll leave you with this: When you are faithful in your 20s, you will see the hand of God in your 30s. In other words, don’t get weary in well doing. In your season of hard work, expect great harvest!
RF: Thanks Landon! Let’s expect great harvest in 2017!
Discover More! About Landon Schott:
Twitter: @LandonSchott // @RevTVNetwork // @Heather_Schott
Websites: http://www.therev.com // http://revtv.com