辐射教堂, a new church plant in Seattle led by Michael Thomas, launched in September 2014 after several years of planning and partnership with the ECC. 今天, 会众 continues to grow in numbers and in its commitment to Jesus, 多样性, 社区, and being a light in the city.

“Our church is growing because we have intentionally tried to emulate the kind of 社区 that I experienced at North Park,托马斯说. “我的妻子, 孩子们, and I experienced an authentic, diverse 社区 where people loved, 关心, and supported one another. We could see an embodiment of being our neighbor’s keeper and loving thy neighbor as oneself.” Thomas is proud of a young church that already represents seven ethnicities and a wide range of socio经济 conditions.

Thomas grew up Baptist, and through a series of events, including a former youth pastor planting an ECC church in Detroit, became connected to the Covenant. 他完成了一个 神学硕士 at the 神学院 in 2013 after earning a bachelor’s in church and ministry management at North Park University. While in 神学院, he also served as an athletics chaplain to undergraduates on campus.

“While I was a chaplain, I learned how to disciple and engage people about Jesus Christ in a way that they can relate and respond to,托马斯说. “You can’t just use church jargon and tradition and make assumptions with people who didn’t grow up in the church. Having that experience and coming to Seattle, it feels like the same kind of ministering I did on campus.”

“The beautiful thing about North Park is that they answer the why we do what we do,托马斯说. “It’s not just about learning Hebrew and Greek, or understanding how to interpret God’s word. We learn these things so that we can reach others with the same gospel message that we have been reached with.”