Dear Radiant,
Can you decipher this?
“UCBONESICANARMY”
It is clever shorthand for: “You see bones, I see an army.”
It became a rallying cry from the first 24-7 Prayer room in Chichester, England, in 1999.
The phrase came from Ezekiel’s prophetic vision in Ezekiel 37, and it was a call to imagine what the Spirit of God could do in a generation that seemed far from Him.
These hungry disciples prayed into that vision, believing God wanted to do something fresh and new, that He could raise up an army of young people among the empty churches of the UK. Not to fight culture wars, but to proclaim and demonstrate the beauty of God’s kingdom.
So they kept praying.
Non-stop.
24 hours a day, seven days a week — for months.
Unexpectedly, the movement grew, and prayer rooms multiplied, spreading throughout the UK, Europe, and eventually the world.
And the radical prayers continued.
More than 25 years later, they are still praying. There have been over 25,000 prayer rooms, and over 140 nations represented.
I’ve been captivated by this movement. In a time of extensive church decline, it represents a stubborn refusal to throw in the towel — a defiant faith that God can still do something new, that He can still raise up a generation who will experience His life and power in this moment.
So when you look at the dry bones around you, in your life and in the world, what do you see?
Do you see bones?
Or do you see an army?
I’m excited to journey with you into the Valley of Dry Bones this Sunday and to hear again the LORD ask:
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
See you Sunday at 10am!
-Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
5/10 – Happy Mother’s Day
6/3 – Radiant Youth High School – Pinecrest Lake Day
6/8 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course begins
6/26 – Radiant Adoption into Evangelical Covenant Church in Scottsdale, AZ
Emotionally Healthy Relationships – June 9
Tuesdays 6:30-8:00PM, begins June 9 concludes July 28.
The Emotionally Healthy (EH) Relationships Course has been developed over a 21-year period to directly address core biblical principles to guide you and others into an experience of discipleship that will deeply change your life. In the EH Relationships Course, everyone will learn 8 practical relationship skills to develop mature, loving relationships with others such as:
Stop Mind Reading and Clarify Expectations
Incarnational Listening
Climb the Ladder of Integrity
Clean Fighting
And since loving others and loving God cannot be separated, each person will also grow in their personal, first-hand relationship with Jesus by incorporating stillness, silence, and Scripture as daily life rhythms.
*if you plan on traveling this summer — there a video streaming options for independently completing sessions you miss.
RadCov Kids
We are excited about the gift of children in our midst! If you are interested in getting involved with kid’s ministry, contact our Children’s director, Crystal Nicholson – 408.802.7061
Welcome Sebastian Oliver!
Samantha and Sergio Lara welcomed their baby, Sebastian Oliver Lara, into the the world on 4/16. Congratulations Lara’s! We’ve got a meal train up and chugging for the Lara’s. You can sign up here.
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – It was sweet being welcomed in to the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church last Saturday. We will continue on to “Nationals” as we pursue the final, formal step of adoption at the denomination’s national gathering in Scottsdale, AZ on June 26th.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
Giving
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
