Mike says, “After two and a half years of being part of the set-up team for Radiant Gatherings, God led me to begin investing time in young married couples. It’s rewarding to know that as we honestly share our lives with them, God uses our humble offering to give them encouragement and Christ-centered direction to deal with challenges and decisions they’ll face in marriage.” Cynthia shares, “I have the joy of serving in the Birthday Card Ministry, providing flowers for Communion tables, and helping with decorations for special events throughout the year. With Val and Mark Crumly, we co-lead the Breakfast and Breakthrough group for young couples, “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage.” My heart is drawn to connecting with others on a spiritual level and having tons of fun along the way – especially in relationships and creating beauty that represents the Spirit of Christ.”

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1). Mike says, “Having faith is always a challenge – so many times I need to see evidence before I can believe. But this verse gives us permission to dream, and all that God requires of us is to have faith in Him.”

Cynthia adds, “In this season of my life one of my favorite verses is: Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.(Psalm 126:5, 6, NIV)

“God promises that if we trust Him in the hardest, most painful parts of our lives, He will create something beautiful and good out of gut-wrenching experiences. Our tears of trust will water those seeds of faith, and eventually we’ll have armloads of miracles that point right back to our amazing God.”

Mike and Cynthia explain, “We’ve experienced a lot of loss and grief the last few months. Part of grief is longing for our real, true home with Christ. Jesus Himself told us, In this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33) But He also promised us that He’s close to the brokenhearted (Psalm. 34:18) and binds up [our] wounds. (Psalm. 147:3) He promises us Himself. And we’re finding that He truly is enough – more than enough.

“Our vision is for Radiant to be a group of people who are crazy in love with Jesus! Every good thing springs from that kind of Holy Spirit-fueled contagious love. We become a people who are passionate about loving God and loving others, a people who are excited about helping each other discover and use our unique areas of giftedness to serve God by serving each other. We become a family who values each generation’s strengths and pursues cross-generational relationships.

“We are so grateful to be part of the Radiant family and extremely excited to see how the Lord wants to use all of us to impact this hurting world with His love that brings life.”

Our family is in a growth spurt. Many of you have asked, “How can I get connected? Where can I meet others outside the Gatherings? How can we build community through the summer months?” Great questions! Summer is a time when many of us come and go on vacations, and have a little less structure in our routine. It’s a great time to plan fun outings, leisurely rest, and to intentionally schedule good fellowship that fans our spiritual flames. Every day holds opportunity to become more like Jesus, and the choices are sometimes harder than we’d like. Being part of an honest, Jesus-centered smaller community can make the journey easier. As we risk building relationships with others who live, love, laugh and learn with us through life, we accelerate our own spiritual maturity and catalyze growth in others.

Radiant’s Summer Mission is to grow authentic small communities to become more like Jesus.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor John

Connect with a small group this summer 

Who: 12 willing people to host or co-host a group

What: Share a meal and/or fun activity and God stories with one another

When: 1st, 3rd & 5th Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays – June, July, August

Where: Dinner and a Story Home Gatherings or Stories On the Go (hiking, boating, biking, campfires)

Why: To encourage and inspire us to become more like Jesus by seeing Him in each other

Want to join the fun? If you’d like to host a small group, by May 1 email the following information to Maeg Lewis at: maeg.radiant@gmail.com

•Do you want to host a Stories On the Go group? What kind? Hiking, boating, biking, campfire, other?

•Or do you want to host a Dinner and a Story group?

•How many people would you like to host (3-12)?

•Would you like to co-host with others? Who?

•Do you want to host activities for adults only, or families with children?

•Do you need help with the cost of the meals?

•If you can’t host at this time, but want to participate, let Maeg know if you are interested in joining a Dinner and a Story group (indicate adults only, or family with children), or a Stories on the Go group (indicate what kind of activities you’d like to do).

Contact Maeg at: maeg.radiant@gmail.com.

What was Jesus response? He chose to Triumphantly enter Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. In our culture that would be like buying every advertisement aired during the March Madness Basketball Playoffs to announce, “I am here!” This simple act created such fervor in Jerusalem that the religious leaders could not touch Jesus. That evening Jesus went back to Bethany.

Why did Jesus return again to Jerusalem? And why did Jesus, during His last visit to Jerusalem, slip into town unnoticed only to be found through the deceit of Judas. Jesus tells us Himself: “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Luke 22:15

“this Passover…” was Christ’s Last Supper, otherwise known as The Seder Dinner. Jesus sent His Disciples into Jerusalem to find the place and to prepare for this dinner. During His final evening with His closest companions, Jesus celebrates The Passover Dinner, and with all of it’s symbolism, explains His purpose and plan one last time. And He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me….”

How is the Passover relevant to you and me?

Darren Peterson, Christopher Bates and John Vredevelt team up this Sunday to unpack the story of this event which foreshadows God’s plan for all of us : Radical Reconciliation.

We’ll celebrate Jesus in dynamic Spirit-led worship and special music with Mark Hadley, Michelle and Brian Austin, Maeg and Dustin Lewis

Most of us have never been trained to work through conflict. Our tool box isn’t full.  It’s time for change.

Jesus provides us with clear guidance for resolving conflict. These principles are so SIMPLE that they can resolve the basic conflicts of daily life. They are so POWERFUL that they are used to successfully navigate the waters of bitter divorce, child custody actions, embezzlement crises, church divisions, multi-million dollar business disputes, malpractice lawsuits, and sexual abuse cases.

We invite you to join us this Sunday, March 25th at 10:30 a.m.  to receive life-changing truth from Conflict Resolution Specialist, Henry Leissing.(Henry & Doris are Christopher Bates’ mom & step-dad) Henry is trained and licensed by Peacemakers International to empower church communities to renounce destructive habits and develop healthy patterns for dealing with difficult disagreements.

Interested? Watch the Peacemakers process at work in this video: http://vimeo.com/24596142

We look forward to seeing you this weekend, as we journey towards developing a community of peacemakers!

Christopher and Rocio say, “One of our spiritual goals is to live for an Audience of One. The most rewarding part of our ministry is sensing the Father’s smile and His warm pleasure in our spirits.”

“Worship means bringing your all to the Father,” Rocio says, “and allowing Him to create beauty – day by day, and moment by moment. In worship, dancing involves my entire being. I pray that those watching may be encouraged in their own walk with the Lord. I simply submit and delight in His presence. Dancing is a prayer.”

Christopher says, “I feel one of our primary responsibilities as followers of Jesus is to present the message of God’s love in as compelling a way as possible. I want to make the Scriptures real again, to bring the passion and experience of that ancient author right into the room with us. In the weeks leading up to a Radiant Gathering, I dive into the Scripture we’re going to study every day, looking at it from multiple points of view, and asking God to grant specific insight, tone, and emphasis for our body.

“I remember reading through Acts as a young man, trucking along through a pretty good sermon – and then bam! They stoned the guy who was talking. And I remember thinking, What!? I missed something – why would they throw rocks at a guy for saying things I hear on a weekly basis?‟

“One of my goals in dramatizing Scripture is to give that context as we study the book of Acts – so we know what was offensive, and what was amazing, to the audience way back then. Acts is the only book in the Scriptures that doesn’t really end; we’re still writing it today in the Church. We’re right in the middle of chapter 87,319, I think.

“It is God’s presence that makes relationship, transformation, and mission possible. What He seeks from us is Himself – revealed, reflected, sculpted, and formed in us.

“Each of us faces decision points on a daily basis about whether we will cover ourselves in guilt and shame, or submit ourselves to trusted friends and confess our sins so that we can be healed. I didn’t value friends in that particular way until just a few years ago – and it has massively changed my life.

“As parents, it’s critical to instill a church ethic‟ in our children. One of the reasons we were drawn to Radiant is because it exemplifies how we want our kids to picture church—worship, prayer, love, and service. It’s important to us that they experience what we do during our Gatherings.

Rocio says, “I’m a walking example of Christ to my children. My day-to-day life is foundational to my children’s spiritual development. I’m working on speaking kindly, not being buried in laundry, and providing good food, books, and experiences. But mostly, I want my children to know they are deeply loved by their Creator because from that foundation, they can go boldly where the Lord leads them!”

When asked for three words of advice about our relationship with Jesus, Christopher said, “Location, location, location. Locate yourself in Him, enjoy Him, and invite others to join you in that loving relationship.

“The Father loves you more than you could possibly imagine. The best thing we could ever do for our families, our friends, and our community is to allow ourselves to be fully immersed in that love every single day.”

Each March I also feel great sadness over missing our son, Nathan, who went to heaven the week Radiant was launched. We know that Nathan is with Jesus, and yet we grieve our separation and the void that no one else can fill. Thank you for the many ways you have loved Pam and me back to life during the last three years.

When God commissioned Pam and me to plant Radiant, He told us, “Clear the slate and follow.” He warned us not to default to what we had experienced in the past. We were not to “make the plan and work it.” Instead, we were to live in communion with Him, listen to His voice, and obey His prompts. During a prayer meeting in Al and Charonne Edens‟ home prior to the church launch, the Lord exhorted us from Isaiah 55 reconfirming His desire for us to commune and listen.

“Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live…For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:3, 8-11, NASB)

Moving into 2012, we are sensing fresh Holy Spirit energy to passionately live our faith out loud as a community of believers. Jesus is leading and we, your elder team, are following one step at a time. Last year, the elder team prayed and fasted, asking the Holy Spirit to identify those He wanted to set apart for elder service in 2012.

Founding elders Laurence and Wendy Dunn and Greg and Bonnie Knopf have sacrificially served well beyond the standard two-year term. Bonnie‟s gifts in music and worship will continue to bless us as her schedule allows. Greg will stay on as an elder for a season longer. Both of these couples‟ personal lives are taking exciting turns for specific and heightened ministry impact. It‟s clear that Jesus is leading us all into a new season.

I‟m delighted to introduce to you Christopher and Rocio Bates, and Darren and Jen Petersen, couples who have been faithfully serving among us. They listened, they heard God‟s voice, and have committed to serving you on the elder team for the next two years. As only you can do, please welcome them with the love of Jesus. It‟s His signature on you!

God is great and greatly to be praised!

Love, John

Mark shares, “I‟ve been in ministry for twenty years. I believe the church needs to release people into their unique shape and style so they can say, “I love God, and it sounds like this.‟ I have a recording studio at my house. I love helping other people find their own unique voice and expression and capturing it.

“Corporately, there are a lot of things going on in a season of worship. I try to sense what God is doing in a broader way – perhaps a song or theme – and how He wants to move in a Gathering, and find a song that fits. During the Gathering, I‟m focused on the moment, but in a prophetic way, I‟m trying to extend to the congregation songs which are pillars toward which God would have us move. When you own a song by singing it to Him, God moves and people respond.”

“What does the Lord seek from us in that process? To allow Him to reveal Himself to us and break down our guardedness. He wants us to sense and find Him, to connect with Him, to hear from Him. Worship is how the Lord reaches into our innermost being; it‟s a bridge. Music is a mystery.”

“In worship, the deepest part of us can reach the deepest part of Him. It‟s an amazing way He quiets our world. We have the ability to hear from God in the middle of a song; out of that flows a clarity of who God is, and who we are. God wants us to dialogue–as He speaks, we speak back. Worship is also about declaring the identity of who Jesus is. It’s a proclamation that He’s the Son of the living God.”

Mark has a vision to see Radiant produce two annual CD’s–one of live corporate worship, and another featuring original songs created by songwriters in our body. The CD’s would be a tool to inspire the congregation, and bring de-churched people back into the church. The compilation recordings would provide awareness of emerging music ministry, capture Radiant‟s heart for God and corporate worship, and be used for training musicians and future worship leaders.

Mark says, “Authentic Christian community is where relationships are the most important priority– one of no pretense or agenda within a relational group of people. Music is secondary to getting people to connect. Let‟s lead out in love.”

Laurence and Wendy Dunn, who have faithfully served as elders since the inception of our community, are transitioning into their primary calling, Marriage and Family Ministries. This will include ministry with Radiant and to other places God sends them, such as My Father’s House.

Laurence and Wendy have given their life blood for Radiant. With passionate prophetic messages and prayer, they have loved, pastored, counseled, and prayed for most of us. Gifted in hospitality and administration, they have fed many of us and taken care of many details of the church. Their combined knowledge, wisdom, experience, and love for the Lord and His people have amazed us and caused us to grow and mature in Jesus.

Bonnie Knopf, along with her husband Greg, has served as an elder at Radiant from its start, and has brought much to the elder team and the church Body. She is full of wisdom, insight, and godly experience. She’s creative and able to think outside the box. Her gift of hospitality has been appreciated by many.

Bonnie is increasing time and energy devoted in ministry to her own family. She’s tending to her mother, who lives across town and has health challenges, and an adopted mother, who lives in California and is nearing the end of her life. Bonnie also has a son and daughter-in-law with a new baby. Her maternal instinct is full speed ahead.

Her pastoral heart and love for the people of Radiant will continue to bless us and spur us on to love others like Jesus. Bonnie’s gifts in music and worship will continue to bless us as her schedule allows. Greg will stay on as an elder for a season longer.

When you see Bonnie, Laurence, and Wendy, please thank and bless them for their service and ministry to us. And be sure to thank our continuing elders Greg Knopf and Don and Gail Gunstone for their faithful service as well.

In His Service

John

-

Dear Radiant,

As we boldly march into 2012, eager to pursue God’s Kingdom purposes, we want to ask you to pause and take time to thank our 2011 Elder Team – Laurence and Wendy Dunn, Greg and Bonnie Knopf, and Don and Gail Gunstone – for their sacrificial, faithful service last year. In the midst of very busy lives and demanding schedules, they have generously given their time, talents, wisdom, and resources for the sake of Radiant‘s ongoing spiritual vitality. Exciting new developments are happening in their lives for wider impact and specialized ministry focus in this new year; we‘ll share more on that at our next Gathering. This fall, the Elder Team sought to hear God‘s heart for Radiant in 2012. We’d like to highlight a few of the things we heard in harmony:

At Radiant, our relationships and community take priority over programs. We are following the lead of the Holy Spirit to build a Christ-centered community that cultivates multi-generational life-on-life encounters around interactive Bible study. Our goal is not to grow big church programs, but to release you to follow Jesus in the unique ministry He has prepared just for you!

Radiant mentors through modeling. We are real about our struggles and authentic as we talk about doing life with Jesus. We refuse to hide conflicts in our own souls, wear masks, and live a life of pretense. We will allow the Gospel of grace to eclipse the facade of performance and cosmetic Christianity.

Radiant Servant Leaders do not simply pass on information. They invest in people. They make room, on purpose, for individuals to discover and use their God-given strengths in our community. Every gift has value! Like farmers, servant leaders plant seeds and wait patiently, caring for and cultivating what they‘ve planted. We all trust God to be Lord of the harvest, and to bring increase according to His timing.

Looking back, we are in awe of God‘s goodness and grace to Radiant. Looking ahead, we sense joy, joy, joy. But for now – let‘s honor those who have diligently labored among us for God‘s glory. Please express your gratitude to our elders, and to the many other servant leaders who cheerfully set up, tear down, and work behind the scenes, preferring not to be noticed. They are the humble, strong backbone of our community, highly esteemed by God.

One final challenge. Our fellow travelers need others who will dialogue with them, inspire them to pursue their dreams and God-given assignments. Who will you engage in spiritual conversation this week? Who will you share a story with from your journey with God? Let‘s ask the Holy Spirit to lead us, and then act. It’s a new year. Let the adventures begin!

Those who sow in tears will reap with joy! (Psalm 126:5)

With our love, John and Pam

The Petersens lead Junior High during the Gatherings. They also rotate leadership of biweekly Junior High meetings with Rich and Stacie Butler and Eric and Jane Carter. “The Junior High kids studied the Book of John in the last couple of months. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), God took the form of a real man. Jesus got tired, hungry, and sleepy; He had emotions. “I like to introduce kids to Jesus, rather than telling them about Him. Jesus is a member of their peer group. And as kids get involved in service projects, it‘s really about them getting to know Jesus and the people who know Him.”

“We taught the kids how to personalize Scripture, and had some fun with nursery rhymes. ‗Jack be nimble, Jack be quick‘ became, ‘Oh God! I want to be nimble, give me more quickness!‘ Then we went back to Scripture and personalized verses there. ‘Lord, You are my Shepherd; I shall not want.‘ (Psalm 23:1)  “A key component in loving God is taking time to be silent. With the Junior Highers, we quiet ourselves and listen to Him for seventeen seconds. Then we share what we hear. In everyday life, Jesus has to cut through the fog of the media, their friends, and family issues. God wants to get their attention and show them that they‘re loved, so they can love Him back.”

“As a father of six children, I realize that something creative has to happen in me where God shows me how to communicate with my kids, even in disciplining them. Yet more important is this: I pray God would grab a hold of their heart. Youth, we‘d like to encourage you in this: relax. Jesus loves you right where you‘re at. Read a little of the Bible – not the whole thing; just a little. When you asked Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit came to live in you. In every situation, don‘t forget to ask Holy Spirit what He thinks. We need to ask, What is my assignment where the Lord has placed me? What should I be praying into? Then we need to write it down and put it where we can see it every day.”