Teachers

Roy Gerardi is currently the pastor of The Chapel at Kingsmill and the Outreach and Crisis counselor for the city of Williamsburg Human Services.  He has been involved in ministry for over forty-four years, nineteen of those were college ministry with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ).  He has served the Lord in campus outreach in both the U.S. and internationally, church planting, pastoral ministry, and teaching ministry with Walk thru the Bible.  He earned his Masters of Divinity degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.  Roy came to faith in Jesus during high school and has always had a special place in his heart for that age group. He is thrilled for the opportunity to teach the Bible to high school  students.  His prayer is that God may use him to “open their eyes that they may behold the wonderful thing in His law (Psalm  119:18).  Roy and his wife Sandy have four grown children.  

My name is Reed Willis, I am 25 years old, and I have the privilege of serving as one of the teachers for School Ministries 757. I’ve lived in Williamsburg for 20 years and have worked at Eastside Church since 2019, where I was recently made Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship. I have also served as a missionary in Japan with The Evangelical Alliance Mission and plan to return to that role in the future. 

My educational background was in music, having graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a BA in Songwriting. My entire life, I have enjoyed writing, performing, and even teaching music to people of all ages. God used that to unveil a gift and passion for teaching in general. In 2021, I began giving sermons and teaching apologetics at Eastside.

 As the Lord honed that skill in me, teaching and preaching became even bigger parts of my ministerial work. I love to study God’s Word and the endless, real, and life-giving truth He has given us through it, and it is a privilege to share that with the students of School Ministries. 

I like to keep classes fluid and conversational to engage everyone, while offering both clear thematic points and equipping the students with Bible study and critical thinking techniques that they can apply in their own studies. My hope is that the students will grow in their understanding of what it means to follow Jesus Christ, finding that placing our hope in Him does not require anyone to disengage their mind. Rather, when we pursue Him relentlessly with our passion, our efforts, and even our questions, we experience the joy of knowing Him more fully. 

When I’m not working or studying Scripture, I can usually be found analyzing the storytelling of video games and anime, studying Japanese, going for walks, or spending time with friends and family.

I’m currently a student at the College of William and Mary, where I’m balancing my studies with my passion for ministry and service. Throughout my journey in the faith, I’ve discovered a deep love for the Word of God that has only grown stronger with time. This love inspired me to join School Ministries 757, as I wholeheartedly believe in its mission to guide young people in building a strong moral and spiritual foundation.

Beyond teaching, music holds a special place in my heart. Whether I’m playing an instrument or creating something new, I find joy in expressing myself and connecting with others through music. I also enjoy volunteering at my church, where I’m actively involved in youth ministries and outreach programs.

When I’m not teaching or making music, you’ll likely find me deep in study sessions, tackling assignments, or preparing for exams (don’t worry, one more semester to go!). Despite the challenges of being a student, I’m continually inspired by the incredible work School Ministries 757 is doing and the remarkable growth I’ve already seen in our students.

I’m excited and honored to journey alongside these amazing young minds as they grow in their faith and understanding of God’s Word. Together, we’re building something truly special, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them!