Here at the South Lake location of Willow Creek Community Church, our doors are open to people from all backgrounds, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. Read more on what to expect during worship services.
Happening at South Lake
Life at South Lake
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Location Details
Service Times
Sunday
9 & 11 a.m.
I am Gina Cherian, the Interim Lead Pastor of Willow South Lake. I was born in Chicago, grew up in Skokie, and went to college in this city, so I am absolutely attached to Chicagoland—winters and all. I spent a decade in education before falling in love with ministry while serving the church at Willow South Lake. I am passionate about helping people find and grow a relationship with the God who loves them as well as creating a community where people are known and loved. My husband Sajeev and I live with our two kids, Elijah and Jessica, about a mile from the church.
Meet the Staff
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Justin Patton
Justin Patton, Operations Director, has been attending Willow Creek since 2004 and came on staff at South Lake in 2015. Before that, he worked in the investment consulting industry for about 10 years. Now he oversees the church facilities, finances, and generally makes sure our ministries have what they need. Justin is passionate about helping people become vessels of God’s grace to everyone around them. He and his wife Amber enjoy working out together at a local Crossfit gym.Contact Justin -
Eric Ochocki
Eric Ochocki is the Worship and Creative Arts Director at Willow South Lake. Eric gets to lead both through creating music and directing the other creative moments within each service that help us paint a picture of the beauty and brilliance of God. He loves being a part of the unique cultural blend that makes up Willow South Lake; he believes it is a true picture of the Kingdom of God! His family and he ventured out to Chicagoland from Colorado in 2015 and love getting to play “tourist" in the city of Chicago when time allows.Contact Eric -
Ashley Dingle
Ashley Dingle, Willow South Lake Weekend Service Producer, joined the Willow Creek staff in the spring of 2010. Since then she has been a part of the Creative Arts and Worship ministries at multiple Willow Creek locations. Ashley has always had a passion for the Creative Arts, and when she isn’t working behind the scenes here at WSL, you can typically find her working behind the scenes at her local theatre company. Although Ashley’s journey began at the very first regional campus of Willow Creek, she is more excited than ever to experience how God is moving here at the most recently established campus.Contact Ashley -
Barb deWaard
Barb deWaard, Connection Coordinator, joined the Willow Creek staff more than 20 years ago. Married to Dave (on staff at Willow Wheaton), the deWaards have two grown daughters, a son-in-law, and a grandson who is the light of their lives. Her passion is to listen to people’s stories while encouraging them to take the right next steps to grow their faith and help build the church.
Contact Barb -
Matt Stennett is the Student Pastor at Willow South Lake. He is married to his beautiful wife, Crystal, and has two amazing kids, Jace and Payton. Born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, Matt joined the staff in 2015, just before the South Lake campus launched. Nothing amps him up more than watching students take ownership of their faith. His other loves include his family, watching the Bears and Cubs, and coffee (he only takes his coffee one way... very seriously).
Contact Matt -
Roni Wood
Roni Wood, Associate High School Pastor, joined our team in August 2018. She is working with our high school students as they learn what it means to grow in their relationship with God. Roni grew up in Libertyville and has been a part of Willow Creek for the last fifteen years. She spent her junior high, high school, and college years attending and serving at the Willow Creek North Shore campus. After college, she spent the next three years on staff with student ministries at Willow Creek Crystal Lake. She has recently transitioned to our team here at Willow South Lake and is excited to be a part of the South Lake team!Contact Roni -
Scott Woods
Scott Woods, Willow South Lake Adult Ministries Pastor, moved to Chicagoland in 2006 to join Willow’s staff. Shortly after moving, he married his high school sweetheart, Amanda. They now have a son and a high energy vizsla-lab mix dog. Helping people tune into the heart of God is Scott’s highest passion. His second passion is Chicago Cubs baseball.Contact Scott -
Julie Jin
Julie Jin, Children’s Pastor, has been married to Simon Jin for 16 years. They are raising two beautiful children together. Julie loves being able to come alongside the children of WSL as they start their faith journey and help them see themselves as God sees them. Longtime obsession: Korean Facial Masks!Contact Julie