Our Story

In 1992, after my wife Jan survived a complicated illness that brought her to the brink of death, I began to reevaluate my life, my ministry and my doctrine. I had earned my degree in theology, pastored a church and was, at that time, on the faculty of a college level Bible school. My concept of God was based on a belief that His posture toward me was directed at building character in my life. Character is important. It is developed by our life experiences. But God is working in our lives for so much more: to establish us in faith, belief, and trust in His loving nature. His power is available for our wholeness and strength. However, at the time, I believed that He was the source of trials. For a “higher good” that I could not see.

My relationship with Him was largely based on performance. I had a very strong prayer life, and studied the Word way more than the average. My life was devoted to Him, my family and the ministry I was involved with. But in the secret place of my heart I was afraid of a misstep—always looking over my shoulder—never sure that I measured up to His expectations. I was concerned that His “training” would involve taking Jan from our children and me. I was afraid that He thought I needed this “lesson” to perfect me.

This kind of thinking is not what many Christians would admit to, we all believe in the love and mercy of God. But I have come to realize that there are many Christians who have questions in their hearts about their position before God. There is something at work against us. It is not always a direct assault of satan. We have an enemy who wants us to live in a place of defeat and fear. When the ‘test’ of a real ‘life or death’ trial comes to us we are in a good position to be attacked. But it is my belief that we have given satan the very weapons Christ took from him on the cross when we build a relationship with God based on works. Performance. (Col. 2: 13-15)

The only source of assurance we can have is what we believe. We may not be attacked by the enemy as much as we are attacked by our own thinking. Our view of God is based on a subtle life long process of doctrinal input from many different sources. We become, and live out, what we believe about God. We are created to conform to His image. If we believe God is angry, we become like the God we believe in. And I was angry!

Jan sailed through the trial of her illness with a noticeable grace. But when the hospital loudspeaker called a ‘code-blue’ on Jan, I lost it! This is the short version of a very intense season of soul searching. It is an understatement to say that her near death shook me to the core of my heart, mind and soul. I could never stop believing in Jesus Christ, but I was ready to give up ministry. I blamed myself and, though few of us admit this, I blamed God for His “severe mercies”.

Thus began a journey into His grace. It soon became a passionate pursuit. I radically altered my view of God. I began to think: “If I can come to the point where I am about to abandon church and ministry, as I had known it, then I could abandon the belief system I had developed in my church background and education.” I studied the Word and read many books discovering in the process the wonderful truth about God’s gift of grace as I had never understood it.

Still, the ‘doctrine’ of God’s grace was not enough. Grace that is simply doctrine will leave you as empty as legalism does. I needed faith! After years of powerless Christianity I made a decision to believe the gospel for all its worth—to take God at His word, to trust Him to be the God He reveals Himself to be in His word!

Jan, our three children and I have been on an incredible journey of discovery these past years. Our lives have been transformed by the knowledge of a wonderful Savior Jesus Christ, who is powerfully for us. A God so intimate and loving that He calls us friends, not servants (John 15:15). A God who wants your life, but not the way you think.
You have a purpose, a gift and calling that He created in you!
You were born for Glory!
He wants you fully alive!

We at RadicalGospel.net are dedicated to helping you discover (or restore) the glory of Christ in you, to establish you in your identity in Him, and to help you realize your full potential as a precious child of the living God. We want you to become aware that the Gospel message, which is as old as the Cross, is as radically true today as it was then. We trust that it will rock your world as much as it has ours!

MORE ABOUT WHO WE ARE:

Ray and Jan LeBlond, together with their three children, Hannah, Ethan and Seth, live in the same small cottage they have rented in the wine country of northern California for the past twenty-five years.

Jan and Ray were married shortly after graduating from a two-year discipleship program. They then earned their degrees: Ray, a BA in theology, and Jan, in education. They were pastors of a church for five years before being called to take the position on the faculty of the same college level discipleship school they had graduated from. When the school closed, Jan and Ray developed a similar ministry, which evolved into a home church.

Ray, along with his writing, continues to preach and teach wherever he is invited. Jan has an amazing ministry, home-schools the children, and worships God. Hannah, 21, graduated from ‘Testament Christian Life Training’, an intense two-year program, and, along with her writing, is very active in the ministries of both her parents. Ethan, 18, is graduating from high school and is in the process of seeking direction for the next step in his journey into greater faith. Seth, 13, is still in home school and a wonderful disciple of Jesus.