Willow Creek Celebrates 33 Years

Perhaps you’ve heard pieces of the story. A youth group called Son City…tomatoes sold door to door…a college professor named Dr. Bilezikian…and a radical new church that met in a movie theater.
The story of Willow Creek’s history could fill the pages of a book—and in fact, it has (Rediscovering Church, by Lynne and Bill Hybels, 1995). But the essence of that story is one of God’s movement among a group of high school students, and the lives that were forever changed as a result of encountering him.

An Acts 2 Church

To some who were part of those early days, it seemed like a page straight from the book of Acts. God was doing something real, and students were charged with a spiritual electricity and love that were irresistible. There were prayer meetings where kids would literally weep, pleading that God would draw their family and friends to himself. Hundreds studied Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, and tried to be genuinely aware of God’s purposes at every moment. And when Senior Pastor Bill Hybels taught about resolving conflicts, ministering to the hurting, and being an encourager, they immediately put those lessons into practice.

Chuck Girard Returns for Worship

One of the people who had a strong influence on Son City and Willow Creek was Chuck Girard, who will return to Willow for weekend services on October 11-12 for the church’s anniversary. In the early 1970s, contemporary Christian music was brand new, and Chuck was one of a handful of people who helped lead the way.

Discover Willow

A new guided experience, Discover Willow, will also open that weekend on the church’s South Barrington campus. Discover Willow takes people through defining moments in Willow Creek’s history and then assists people, if needed, in determining what the next step in their own spiritual journey might be