(June 21, 2004) The Willow Creek Association (WCA) has achieved a milestone in its history today by welcoming the 10,000th Member Church into its growing network.
The WCA, which has been growing at a rate of roughly three churches per day since its inception, has determined that three churches all crossed the milestone marker at nearly the same time, and therefore all three will be honored. All three churches are in different developmental stages in their journeys.
"I'm delighted at the variety of churches represented," said WCA President Jim Mellado. "I've always said that what WCA Member Churches had in common was not necessarily their denomination, country, culture, size, or age. What the core of WCA churches have in common is a pioneering spirit -- the desire to take risks for the sake of the gospel. I believe that same pioneering spirit is reflected in these three churches."
The churches are: CrossLink Community Church, in Fishers, Ind.; Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, Penn.; and The River - A Community Church, in New Kensington, Penn.
CrossLink Community Church
CrossLink Community Church held its first service in January 2004. The church currently has around 30 attenders and is growing steadily. Lead Pastor Randy Davis was thrilled to learn of his church's place in WCA history.
"I've been to several conferences at Willow Creek," he says, "and I've always believed that the WCA helps stretch and grow other churches. I've always loved Bill Hybels' heart for lost people. I've learned a lot from Willow over the years. I've gained resources and I've gained info. I learned a lot from publications like the WCA News. The recent issue that dealt with 'branding' really helped us in establishing our new church," he said.
Davis also worked with Youth For Christ and served as a youth pastor for 20 years. The church currently meets in a large room in a day care center.
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Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
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When Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church was established, Rutheford Hayes was the president of the United States. The 124 year-old predominately African-American congregation has enjoyed a rich history that has seen the church grow exponentially through its 40+ internal and external ministries, which include educational and support services to families, preparatory programs for neighborhood children, advanced computer programs for teens, and a summer camp.
Reverend Alyn E. Waller, the current pastor since 1994, is a highly sought-after revivalist, lecturer, and musician. He earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Waller's training gave him an insatiable appetite for growing his church in a God-honoring way and turned him into what he calls "a student of substantive, theologically-sound principles of church growth."
After reading Bill Hybels' Courageous Leadership, Waller purchased the
Team Edition DVDs of the Leadership Summit 2003.
"I found that Willow Creek Resources have been very helpful. So, when I realized that our church could be a part of the Willow Creek Association, I wanted us to do just that."
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The River - A Community Church
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| The first group meeting at Dean Ward's home in January. During this brunch, he shared the vision for a Acts 2, prevailing church in New Kensington, PA. |
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If you look for The River - A Community Church on a map or in a directory, you won't find it. That's because the church has no facilities and has not yet technically launched its first service. And yet one of the first things they did was to join the Willow Creek Association.
"The WCA is an amazing network," says Lead Pastor Dean Ward. "I think every church should be a Member of the WCA!"
Ward first caught the vision when he attended a conference at Willow in 1996.
"At that conference," he says, "I told myself that if I ever started a church, it would be a WCA Member Church. I think the Willow Creek Association is the best friend any pastor can have. The WCA helps pastors move the ministry ball up the field faster and further than they can on their own. I can't imagine leading a church without the WCA by my side cheering me on, inspiring my best, replenishing my soul, and stretching my leadership."
The River is currently developing their core throughout the summer. They plan to begin preview services by October and fully launch public services during the Christmas season.
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Only God
The chart below presents a graphic representation of the growth of Membership in the WCA since 1992, both domestically and overseas.
"When I see that graph," says Mellado, "I don't just see a bar chart... I see individual churches--many of which I've visited--churches of all types doing their best to build an Acts 2 church in our time."
The Willow Creek Association is a multi-denominational worldwide network of more than 10,000 churches from 90 denominations and 35 countries. Since 1992, the WCA has been linking like-minded, action-oriented churches and church leaders with each other and with strategic vision, training, and resources.
