Conversation: Sarah Reeves

Minister where you are

Sarah Reeves was 15 years old when she radically encountered God at a youth camp. She knew she was being called to be a worship leader, so she bloomed where she was planted at her home church of Calvary Assembly (Decatur, Ala.) and began to sharpen her skills through the Assemblies of God’s Fine Arts Festival.

Now a debut Sparrow recording artist, Reeves believes God is calling her to be more than just a songwriter and singer — she is an advocate and intercessor for her generation. As Reeves, 19, embarked on the release of her first album, Sweet Sweet Sound, Jerilyn Osborn spoke with her about how God is shaping her path to inspire a generation to take hold of His call.

OSBORN: How did Fine Arts Festival help you sharpen your skills?

REEVES: It definitely challenged me and showed me that I still had a lot of room to grow musically. It was not always easy receiving negative feedback from the judges, but I learned from their constructive criticism.

OSBORN: What lessons have you carried from Fine Arts to your current career?

REEVES: I’ve learned that God is my true judge. I have come to realize that if I get first place or last, if I make it on the charts or I don’t, none of that matters. What matters is that I give God my best, and He receives the honor and glory.

OSBORN: When did you realize music could be your career?

REEVES: Growing up in a family of musicians, I always knew that music would be my life. I really started getting serious about it when God called me to be a worship leader at age 15. It turned my whole focus from wanting to be a rock star to leading people into the arms of Jesus and giving Him glory.

OSBORN: Lots of students already know that they have a calling for ministry. What advice would you give on how to deploy their gifts and talents now to minister where God has them?

REEVES: Make your every step a platform to minister to the lost and broken. There is always someone watching you, whether you realize it or not. Your life is an open opportunity to use the gifts God has given you to change lives.

OSBORN: How can students begin to develop the mind-set of “where you are is your mission field?”

REEVES: You don’t have to go overseas to be a missionary. There are people who surround you every day who need to know the love of Jesus. He has called you to be that voice and to be His hands and feet. Don’t take where God has placed you for granted, because you can make a difference wherever you are.

OSBORN: What have you found to be the most rewarding part of your career?

REEVES: It is so rewarding to see people worshipping Jesus with tears running down their faces singing the songs that God birthed in my heart. I love being a part of the Holy Spirit’s moving and changing people’s lives.

OSBORN: How has God used some of your fans to minister to you?

REEVES: We were playing on New Year’s Eve, and I remember seeing a girl in the crowd crying. After it was over, she walked over to me. I thought I was going to be the one to minister to her, but she actually gave me a word that the Lord had told her to give me. It was so refreshing to see how God is raising up leaders in this generation who are not ashamed to obey His voice.

Sarah Reeves will be a special guest and workshop speaker at the Orland09 National Youth Convention.

Selected from On Course magazine, Orland09 edition, August 2009. Used with permission.

TPExtra: Download “Come Save” by Sarah Reeves.

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