Jack Reed

Men are encouraged and lives are changed through the Men’s Leadership Breakfast at Covenant Theological Seminary. MLB (as it is affectionately known among participants) is a popular time of fellowship, Bible study, and spiritual growth that has become something of an institution at Covenant Seminary.

For most MLB attendees, the opportunity to sit under teaching from Covenant Seminary professors is one of the biggest attractions of the gathering. Bill Gladney, for instance, who has been coming to the MLB regularly for two years but attended off and on for several years before that, says, “This is a wonderful opportunity for a layman to hear some of the best professors in the country. Dr. Sklar opens the Word in a way you rarely see. This is as close to being able to go to seminary that a guy like me can get.” Jeff Reed, who has been attending the MLB since it began more than a decade ago, agrees. “The teaching we receive here is unbelievably excellent,” Jeff says. “Every lesson is tied to the gospel and applied to our own lives. It’s a gift.”

Jack Reed, Jeff’s father and the man who was primarily responsible for starting the MLB all those years ago, smiles and nods in affirmation. “Where can you get better teaching than this?” Jack asks. He has been impressed not only by the quality of the teaching presented at the MLB, but also by the ways in which he has seen the Lord work through the MLB over the years. He knows of a few men who have come to Christ at least partly through the ministry of the MLB, and he knows of other participants who have become major contributors to the Seminary because of their involvement with the group. In addition, he feels greatly blessed by his own connection with the MLB and Covenant Seminary.

“The Seminary has been one of the most meaningful associations in my life,” he says with emotion. “I’ve seen time and time again how living obediently to the Lord brings godly results. The Seminary tries to be obedient and do what is right in the eyes of God. It almost makes me teary-eyed to think of it.” Jack humbly brushes aside any attempt to congratulate him on the success of the group that he was instrumental in bringing into existence. “It’s all the Lord’s doing,” he says softly. “Has he used me and others in this endeavor? Maybe—but it’s all him.”