Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Comes to Willow Creek

Posted on: 02-14-2012
0

American families find themselves drowning in debt like never before. “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like,” says personal finance expert Dave Ramsey, author of five best-selling books including The Total Money Makeover, and host to The Dave Ramsey Show, a syndicated radio program broadcast on more than 500 stations across the country.

On February 11/12, Senior Pastor Bill Hybels welcomed Ramsey to Willow to wrap up the 2012 Family Series with an honest look at the #1 cause of marital and family stress: finances. Of all the common things couples fight about, money disputes are the biggest harbingers of divorce. And often it is the discomfort of financial woes—the sleepless nights and money fights—that finally motivates couples to make a change in their finances.

“Not until the pain of the same is greater than the pain of change will you embrace change,” Dave says. He challenges families to grab the reins and do something about their own financial health. “For your own good, for the good of your family and your future, grow a backbone. When something is wrong, stand up and say it is wrong, and don’t back down.”

Whether you’re feeling the pinch or looking to maximize your financial future, don’t miss Dave’s message this weekend. Do you know someone who is familiar with Dave Ramsey? Invite them to come this weekend to hear him live—sometimes a personal invitation is all it takes. And take advantage of the Financial Peace University, a workshop that has changed the lives of more than one million families—by helping them change their financial health.

Financial Peace University: February 21–May 22

Willow’s stewardship team is excited to announce the launch of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, a 13-week class that provides biblically based, common-sense education and empowerment to individuals and families alike—whether finances are in great shape or under distress. The class incorporates entertaining lessons from Dave via DVD, followed by active small-group discussion. Together, groups walk through Dave’s Seven Baby Steps toward Financial Peace.

Each of Willow’s six campuses, as well as Casa de Luz, offers Financial Peace University, and Casa de Luz, Willow’s ministry for the Spanish-speaking community offers a version of FPU in Spanish. Space is limited, so act now to reserve your spot. Visit Willow’s FPU page for more information and to register.

Continue Reading

Craig Springer Takes the Reins as Huntley’s Campus Pastor

Posted on: 02-02-2012
0

Craig Springer came to Willow Creek as a broken, high school student seeking God, and there, at a church service in 1994, Craig cried out to Christ to quench his thirst (John 7:37-38). That was almost 20 years ago. Since then, God has prepared Craig for his role as Willow Huntley’s first campus pastor.

Craig has served the church in many leadership roles—including years spent planting a church in Prague, where he and his wife Sarah began their family. Sarah, director of Special Friends, and Craig have been married for 11 years and have two children: Isaiah, 4, and Isabelle, 2.

A part of Willow Huntley from the very beginning, Craig served as Ministries Director. In that role, his leadership gift, his heart for people, and his passion for making Christ known endeared him to the congregation. “I felt called to remain at this young campus when it pained me to think of leaving it behind,” said Craig. He was installed as Campus Pastor on January 29—to a standing ovation from the congregation.

On January 29, Willow Huntley unplugged from South Barrington and Craig taught out of his life verse: Philippians 3:8. His message urged Willow Huntley to become the kind of Christ followers who can say—with all of their hearts—that nothing compares to knowing Christ and making Him known.

Watch “It is All Worth It.”

Continue Reading

Civil Rights Leader Is Willow’s Guest at Weekend Services

Posted on: 01-10-2012
0

Dr. John M. Perkins, a leader in the Civil Right movement for the past 50 years, has dedicated his life to empowering people and ministries to work alongside the poor and vulnerable. His guiding verse in life is Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

The John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development is dedicated to seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ restore entire communities across America. Their work in racial reconciliation & community development demonstrates God’s power to bring true unity and hope to areas across the country.  

Senior Pastor Bill Hybels speaks with Dr. Perkins at weekend services at Willow Creek on January 14/15. Weekend services are at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 and 11:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Continue Reading

Willow Creek Welcomed 80,000 to Christmas Services

Posted on: 12-24-2011
7

Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington welcomed nearly 80,000 to celebrate Christmas at one of the 12 services in South Barrington beginning December 18 and concluding on Christmas Eve. (The service on December 20 was conducted entirely in Spanish.)

Willow services were rich with favorite Christmas carols (accompanied by a 22-piece orchestra), and an inspiring message from Senior Pastor Bill Hybels. Unique to each service was a short (30-minute) original film written, directed, and produced by Willow Creek’s programming team, and scored by a live orchestra. The cast was exclusively local professional actors including Wendy Roby, Karen Aldrege, Richard Cotovsky, and several hundred local extras.

All services were free and open to the public and included sign language, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean translation at select services.

Continue Reading

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Willow Creek’s Christmas Eve Services

Posted on: 12-14-2011
4

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and the princes are home, when the shepherds are back with
their flocks, the work of Christmas begins:

to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace…
to make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman
American author, civil rights leader, and theologian (1899–1981)

When Paul Johnson, Willow’s programming director, got this poem in an email from his mom more than a year ago, he set it aside, never realizing it would eventually influence 2011 Christmas Eve services at Willow Creek South Barrington 2011 Christmas Eve services.

“As the programming team started discussing themes for Christmas, we tried several approaches and none of them worked,” he said. That’s when Paul remembered the poem. Most Christmas Eve services conclude with the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. “As I read this poem to the creative team, we all realized there was something to it—that His birth was just the beginning.”

With the first of the Christmas Eve services less than one week away, Paul shares insider information around what it takes to deliver 12 services that will impact more than 80,000 people.

Willow Weekly: Every year at Willow’s Christmas Eve services, we count on Christmas music, an inspiring message from Bill, and the traditional “Silent Night” at the end of the service—and we always anticipate a uniquely creative element. Can you tell us what we can expect this year?

Paul Johnson: In addition to singing favorite Christmas carols, we’ll have an original (short) film that begins with the birth of Jesus, and the film is scored live with a 22-piece orchestra.

View a trailer >>

WW: Most of us don’t start thinking about Christmas until Thanksgiving, but your team starts much earlier in the year. Can you share with us what goes into planning Willow’s Christmas Eve services?

Paul: We started talking about Christmas before Memorial Day. Everyone in programming and production discussed the service from last Christmas and we asked ourselves what worked well, what didn’t work, and what new elements we wanted to bring in for this year.

WW: How long does the process take?

Paul: We land on a theme by early August. From there the theme is developed into a concrete idea, which we land by early October. We do pre-production in October, shoot [the film] in November, and begin editing after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, the worship team is busy with preparing the music and worship elements and the production team is working on the technical aspects. By the time we begin dress rehearsals, everything comes together.

WW: How many people does it take to put on a Christmas Eve service?

Paul: Including the orchestra, the choir, band, production volunteers, and staff, there are about 100 people. Add to that the video crew, actors, and people who build the sets and work with lights, and that’s another 60. It takes nearly 20 people to decorate the lobby, hang lights. And that doesn’t count the volunteers it takes to help greet guests, care for the children in Promiseland, serve in Dr. B’s, and help on the traffic team—that could be another 1,000 people. You can see why we ask for a lot of volunteers!

WW: Considering how busy things must be for you and your team right now, how do you prepare your hearts for Christmas?

Paul: Let me start by saying we know we can’t do this on our own. It’s way bigger than one person, one team, or even several teams. But it’s not too big for God, and unless He intervenes, it doesn’t work out. So, we turn to Him and ask for His guidance. We ask Him to direct us if we’re heading down a road that doesn’t line up with what He has in mind. And He does. We do our best to be obedient.

Personally, and I believe this is true for every one of us on the programming/production teams, I spend time every day in prayer and in the Word. When I let my time with God slide, there is increased confusion and chaos. I’m amazed at the direct correlation between my spending time with God and the fruit that it yields.

WW: How can we pray for the upcoming services?

Paul: Pray for the people who will be in the seats at the services. We don’t know where their hearts are, but God does. There are people on the Catalyst Team who have taken responsibility for filling entire sections of the auditorium at some of the services and they’re reaching out to people who may not have a church home or a relationship with God. We are praying that our work will please God and that He will use it to speak to the hearts of the people who are far from Him.

All services are free and no tickets are required. Plenty of General Admission seating is available on all levels of the Auditorium at all services. Christmas Eve services at South Barrington are as follows:

  • Sunday, December 18 at 5 & 7 p.m.
  • Monday, December 19 at 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 20 at 7 p.m. (conducted entirely in Spanish)
  • Wednesday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
  • Friday, December 23 at 5 & 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 24 at 12:30, 3, 5:30, & 8 p.m.
Continue Reading
Next >>