It’s hard to believe that we are already ten days into a brand new year! I thought I’d write to you about some of the exciting things ahead and also share my heart in regards to what I believe the LORD is saying to us at this critical moment in our life together!!

As I said in a message titled, “Crossing Over”, on Sunday, Jan. 1, I believe that just as there are defining moments in our personal journeys with God, there are also defining moments in our journey as a church. In order to “cross over” to the next dimension of effective ministry, it will require certainty of God’s direction, greater personal and corporate consecration, and greater dependency on God’s presence and power! If you were not in attendance that Sunday, I encourage you to listen to the podcast on our Radiant website.

The winter semester of Disciple U begins on Wednesday, Jan. 18th, at 6:45pm. Pastor Kathy Cernero will facilitate a Women’s Ministry Bible study class on the book of Jonah, titled, Navigating a Life Interrupted, by Priscilla Shirer. (Note: This class will also be offered on Tuesday mornings, at 9am, beginning Jan. 17th.) Pastor Steve Richards will be teaching on the book of Romans. This class is open to men and women and will run 12 weeks. Pastor Gary Sobol will teach on Radical Islam and our response as Christians, and this class will run 6 weeks. Pastor David Roberson will once again teach a Disciple U class on Wednesday evenings for our Radiant Kidz. The Pastors and I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these discipleship offerings.

In that same message mentioned above, (Jan.1st), I emphasized how important personal and corporate prayer will be as we anticipate all that the LORD has for us in 2012! The next All-Church Prayer Meeting is scheduled for Jan. 26th, at 7pm. These prayer meetings are scheduled on the fourth Thursday of each month. A special 48 Hour Prayer Vigil will be observed from Friday, Feb. 3rd through Sunday morning, Feb. 5th, our twelfth anniversary Celebration Sunday. We must make every effort we can in seeking the LORD’S blessing and enabling as we endeavor to fulfill His call in 2012!!!

The Annual Business Meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 29th, at 6:45pm. All RCL members are urged to attend, and everyone is welcomed as we report on last year, vote to elect two new Trustees, and cast vision for 2012. On behalf of the entire church family I want to express my sincere thanks for the faithful and skillful service of John Picchi and David Brown, whose Trustee terms are coming to a close.

The next Discover Radiant Class for those who would like to become official members of RCL, is set for Sunday, Jan. 22nd, at 9:30am, during 1st service. We are thrilled to see so many new faces as we worship, and we encourage all those who feel that Radiant is their church home to consider membership.

This past Sunday, Jan. 8th, Pastor Gary & Pastor Steve emphasized the importance of our Small Groups, with a new emphasis on four key components: Connect, Grow, Pray, Serve. We believe that this will be key to our future growth and impact as a church, as we reach out to our community! Again, check the RCL website for the podcast and more info about getting involved.

We are absolutely delighted to see how our outreach ministries at CityView (serving the homeless), and Kindred Health Care (serving the aged and infirmed) are growing and developing!! Also, a Choir Mission’s Trip and our Summer Mission’s Trip to Nicaragua is currently open for enrollment. As we study God’s Word, we cannot miss the constant emphasis on serving the poor, orphaned, widowed, sick, etc. – those that our Master called, “…the least of these.” We encourage all our RCL family to seek the LORD as to where He may be calling you to serve! Please contact Pastors Steve & Gary for more info.

There are many more important and exciting things happening at Radiant this year!! This letter is intended to just give some highlights and focus our attention on the mission that has been given to us!

Last, but not least, I want to encourage you to trust the Lord with your personal finances in spite of the current economic condition, because He is worthy of our trust and has promised to faithfully provide for all our needs! I also ask you to prayerfully seek His will for your family in regards to what you should give by way of tithes and offerings to further the ministry of this local expression of the body of Christ called Radiant Christian Life Church.

May the Lord richly bless you and provide for all your needs—spiritual, physical, emotional and financial, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! 

In Christ’s love,
John A. Cernero
Sr. Pastor