About Us

Our Mission and Vision

Our Mission

We are called to come alongside others in covenant relationship through which the saving, healing, and restoring grace of Christ may flow.

Our Vision

Can be expressed in three simple words: Renew, Grow, Serve.

Renew: To help people accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and receive His healing, cleansing and restoring grace. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Grow: To help people become more like Christ. (2 Peter 3:18a)

Serve: To help people use their gifts, resources and time to serve the Lord and others. (Luke 4:18-19)

Statement of Faith

We believe:

The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God.

There is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His sinless life, His miracles, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His exaltation to the right hand of God, and His personal future return to this earth in power and glory.

The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation.

In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life.

The filling of the Holy Spirit is given to believers who ask for it.

The redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body.

In the Blessed Hope - the rapture of the Church at Christ's coming.

In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.

History

1999 A Vision is Born

In October 1999 a small group of people from Northview Christian Life in Carmel, Indiana and others who were interested, joined with John and Kathy Cernero on Sunday evenings for worship, prayer and Bible study with the goal of launching a new church in Westfield.

The vision for a new church was birthed in the early part of 1999, and then embraced as a church plant of both Northview Christian Life and the Indiana District of the Assemblies of God. On February 6th, 2000 the dream was realized when approximately 180 people attended the first Sunday morning service of Radiant Christian Life Church, which was held Carey Ridge Elementary School, located in Westfield.

In the months to follow, the church continued to grow and flourish and many new ministries were added. By September 2001 Radiant became a General Council church of the Assemblies of God, after our Constitution & By-laws were approved by the Indiana District and ratified by our congregation.

In the spring of 2002 we made the final payment on 15.3 acres of land on the northwest corner of Carey Road and 161st street in Westfield, Indiana for a new building to be constructed in the future.

2004 A Building is Complete (for now...)

In August 2002, “Crossing Over”, a three year capital stewardship campaign was launched. The campaign was a success and enabled the church to proceed and break ground for a new building in June 2003.

The day we awaited finally took place in October, 2003 as the earth started moving and construction began on the new church property. What an exciting time in the life of our church to see the vision of “crossing over” to the other side of the street come become a reality. In August 2004 we crossed over into our permanent facility. Praise God for His faithfulness.

From the very first Sunday in February 2000, a spirit of excitement, self-sacrifice, caring and serving has characterized those who have been a part of Radiant Christian Life. As we reflect upon God's great faithfulness to us, we have much to be excited about in the months and years ahead.

Meet the Staff

John Cernero - Senior Pastor

John married Kathy in 1978 and together they have four grown sons Jonathan, Jeremy, Jamie, and Joshua. John has been in full time ministry since 1975 when he graduated from Zion Bible Institute in Rhode Island. He was ordained in May of 1977. He also has... read more>

Gary Sobol - Administrative Pastor & Missions

Gary has been married to Karen for 39 years and they have 3 children. Their oldest, Phil, is married to Alleyne, they have two children and live in Nashville, TN. Mike is single and lives in Minneapolis, MN and Kirsten is a sophomore at Taylor University. Gary has been on staff for 10 yrs and he oversees.... read more>

Kathy Cernero - Associate Pastor Womens Ministries

Kathy grew up in Avon, IN with 3 brothers. She gave her heart to Christ at the age of 9. She felt the call into full time ministry as a teenager. She attended Zion Bible College and studied ministry. She met John at Zion and the two were married in 1978. Together they have raised 4 boys and have served... read more>

Steve Richards - Associate Pastor Young Adults & Outreach

Steve is married to his beautiful wife Diane, 28 years and counting. They have five children and two grandchildren. Steve spent 20 years in the graphic design/multimedia industry as president of Creative Impressions then in 2001, he felt God's "re-direct" on his life... read more>

Jonathan Cernero - Associate Pastor Student Ministries

Jonathan is a graduate of North Central University. He has a BA degree in Youth Ministries. He also attended Evangel University for two and a half years where he majored in Biblical Studies and History. Jonathan serves as Radiant's Youth Pastor. He has been on staff... read more>

Dave Roberson - Associate Pastor Children Ministries

Pastor Dave has experienced firsthand the fixing power of God. As a kid, Dave grew up in a somewhat broken home. Additionally, his hyperactivity lead to the breaking of some household items. As preschool came and went, he continued a life of hyperactivity and... read more>

Dee Head - Pastoral Counselor

Dee was raised in a small town in Pennsylvania. She moved to California for college where she studied psychology/counseling and earned a Master's degree in Counseling. She also met her husband while she was in college. She has two daughters Laura and Lisa who "light up her life." Prior to serving at Radiant Dee was ordained as a pastor and served... read more>

Greg Anderson - Worship Director

Greg began taking piano lessons in second grade. As a child he described himself as "a poor student with low self esteem" until his music teacher discovered his love for music and asked him to play piano in class. That day became a major turning point in his life and he... read more>