About
Radiate International

The Back Story:

As a child, I (Jenny) experienced a significant event that shaped how I viewed people the rest of my life. While shopping with my family, a group of young men entered the store we were in with a loud boombox. I didn’t think much about it, until one of them approached my mother and I and started chatting with me, asking how old I was and what interests I had. It was a brief conversation, but the young man was kind and intentional. When they left the store, the clerk excitedly stated that she could not believe what had just occurred. “Who was that?” I asked. The group turned out to be a famous band of the time with a small entourage, the young man was one of the band members. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked my mother. “Because I bet he just enjoyed having a regular conversation with you. He is just a person like you and me.” I paused and thought about how I didn’t get his autograph how I was only left with a story to tell, but if he is just like me, then what did it matter? I liked that revelation and have kept it with me all of my days.

This story, and many others like this, have shaped Clayton and I over the years. We have learned that those who take the risks necessary to believe that they can be something great all have stories and journeys. Whether this journey makes us famous on a large scale or small, wealthy or poor, business gurus, actors, pastors or missionaries, we all have a deep longing to be known and loved. To be invited into the riches of relationship is no small overture; it is a gesture that has been bestowed upon us generously by others. The feeling of being understood and loved just as we are is unrivaled by any other feeling we have ever known. To be embraced fully, lavished upon, listened to and challenged has filled our hearts with hope and belonging beyond what we could have ever imagined. When we slow down and ask important questions and have to listen for the answer, our lives inevitably advance. When we encounter the Divine, we cannot be unchanged. All this, we have experienced, and desire to give to others through a home to share.