June 6, 2025
Hey Radiant!
It’s Graffiti Night so let’s make this weekly contextual…
Let’s start with some confession: though born and raised in Modesto, I am not a car guy. Nothing against geeking out on cars, it looks kind of fun. But frankly, it has never captivated me.
Probably part of that was that I didn’t have people around me who were “car guys.” My parents took their cars to mechanics. The closest thing we had to a classic car was a 1987 Toyota Camry.
You might say I was never discipled into the knowledge and practice of car maintenance, repairs, or improvement. I was never a part of Pharaoh’s Car Club, and have never rebuilt an engine, I don’t have a car “rabbi.”
I did change a spark plug on a jet ski once. Does that count?
Sure, I could “Youtube learn” some things. But that would never rival what I would learn in the context of a relationship with those wiser and more experienced than me regarding things all things automobile.
Here’s the point: humans learn best in the context of intentional learning relationships. Perhaps we’ve lost sight of this in our culture of Google, A.I., and Youtube.
While it is fascinating to consider how technology can further this movement, I have a hunch that Jesus’ method of slowly pouring into a few disciples is still the best strategy. Jesus started a discipleship movement (a movement of intentional learning relationships) that is still ongoing.
In short, we learn to be like Jesus by being around others who have learned to be like Jesus and can teach us some things. (Of course, the Holy Spirit is at work in all of this!).
This week we are continuing our “Simple Way: Life in Community” series by drilling down into the necessity of intentional relational discipleship to Jesus. A flourishing new family of Jesus depends on this.
We’ll ask these essential questions: 1) what does it mean for you to be a disciple of Jesus? 2) Who is currently relationally pouring into you? 3) Who are you currently relationally pouring into?
So cruise on in on Sunday! See you at 10am!
EVENTS CALENDAR
5/11 – 6/15 – Diaper Drive for Modesto Pregnancy Center
6/8 – Soccer Game After Church
6/11 – Women’s Gathering 6-7am
6/12 – Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course begins 6:30-8PM at ELC
6/15 – Baptism Sunday (cupcakes and picnic afterwards)
6/21 – Rad Cov Kids
7/25 – All church Lake Day at Lake McClure Splash and Dash
10/3-10/5 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs Registration Open!
DIAPER DRIVE MOTHER’S DAY THROUGH FATHER’S DAY!
We’ve collected over 1000 diapers so far!!!! Thank you!
Hey Radiant, we are partnering with the ministry Modesto Pregnancy Center this May and June to provide some diapers for new moms who are attending parenting support classes. This is from Erin Koolhass, the MPC executive director:
“We give diapers to all of our students who attend our parenting classes, where they learn valuable parenting tools, memorize scripture, and build community. We have roughly 60 parents who attend in person each week, and another 50+ who attend online, so we get to bless a lot of babies with diapers! We almost always have a need for size 4, size 5 and size 6 diapers.” MPC gives out over 1200 diapers each week! I really appreciate how MPC is supporting moms and their babies spiritually, relationally, and materially. Let’s bless this new moms and their children with some diapers. We’ll hold this drive May 11 (Mother’s Day) through June 15 (Father’s Day) bring a pack of size 3, 4, or 5 diapers to church and we’ll get them to MPC.
UPCOMING RADIANT YOUTH EVENTS
6/4 – Decades Dance
6/10 – YTH Night Low Key/Yogurt Mill
6/14 – Beach Day
6/17 – Service Night at Modesto Gospel Mission
6/24 – Youth NightSign up here to receive more information on our Radiant Youth gatherings.
WOMEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY
Women – you are up! This Wednesday from 6-7AM at ELC Fellowship Hall.
SOCCER GAME AFTER CHURCH – JUNE 8
Who is ready for some futbol (soccer)? We are going to kick around the soccer ball at MJC after service, this Sunday, 6/8. All welcome to join in!
SIGN UP NOW. EMOTIONALLY HEALTH SPIRITUALITY – COMING THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Peter Scazzero writes “emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is an invitation to flourish in Christ as we consider what is going on “under the surface” in our lives. This is a 8 week course that will meet on Thursdays beginning June 12 and end on July 31. Sign up here to sign up. If you’ve completed the course — I’ve done it many times — consider taking it again: there are always new things to discover.
UPCOMING BAPTISM SERVICE – JUNE 15
Are you ready to make a public declaration of your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you believe God might be leading you to this, please reach out to Zach (reply to this email or text 209.497.3710) for more information. We are holding a June 15 service.
RADCOV KIDS POOL PARTY – JUNE 21
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
October 3-5 at Mission Springs Conference Center.
We spend our lives avoiding the wilderness. Yet it is often in the wilderness that we encounter the Lord’s provision, promises, and presence. We even read that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness. What can we learn from time spent in the wilderness? This special weekend is designed to be a transformative experience, offering countless opportunities to connect with other women and be refreshed.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT KINGDOM COFFEE!
Kingdom Coffee is now open! They are open Monday- Saturday 7am-3pm. Support this mission driven cafe. 2401 E Orangeburg Ave. (Century Center).
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant 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!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
