Schedule
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Session 1: Answering the Big Question – Lynne Hybels
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Lynne Hybels, a guiding force at Willow Creek Community Church in the arena of Global Poverty and AIDS, will open the day’s interaction. She’ll begin by addressing the burning question asked by every thinking church giving of its time and resources: Is what we’re doing really making a difference? She’ll help you answer that question with confidence and equip you to raise the vision for the call God has placed on your church.
Session 2: Heart-to-Heart and Side-by-Side – Robert Guerrero
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Poverty and AIDS are problems not just faced by countries in the Global South; the answers aren’t held only in the resources of developed countries. Robert Guerrero is pastor of Iglesia Comunitaria Cristiana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He represents one of the partner churches working with Willow Creek Community Church to address these issues at a grassroots level. A compelling communicator, he is adept at providing insights into the deeper causes of global poverty. He will also explain what a partnership looks like from the Global South perspective and why Christ-followers from both hemispheres must join together to address needs more effectively.
Break
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Session 3: The Big Five: Assessing Your Efforts – Robert Guerrero with Tom & Dee Yaccino
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Walk through a tested roadmap that will help you say with confidence, “What we’re doing really is making a difference!” Robert Guerrero is joined by Tom and Dee Yaccino, staff members of Willow Creek Community Church who serve as in-country liaisons between Willow Creek and its grassroots partners in Latin America. This session will walk you through a process to assess your own efforts in five critical areas. Hear wisdom from both the Global South and the North in order to discover best practices and transferable principles to help you:
- Clearly Focus on Your Unique Calling and Strategy
- Mobilize Your People
- Locate and Develop Strong Partnerships
- Foster Sustainable Transformation
- Wisely Steward Resources
Lunch (on own) and Team Time with Self-Assessment OR
Strategic Initiative Lunches
12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Just before lunch you’ll be given a self-assessment tool to help your team evaluate your current initiatives in addressing Global Poverty and AIDS. Lunch will be available for purchase at Harvest, Willow Creek’s onsite food court, or head off-campus for team time to begin this discussion. For an additional fee, you can add on one of eight lunches to discuss a topic of special interest to you. Click here for more details and options.
Session 4: The World is Watching: An African Briefing – Stella Kasirye
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Poverty and HIV/AIDS are not unique to Africa. Yet, the battle raging on that continent has captured the world’s attention and will be pivotal in learning how to better address pandemic needs in other places. Born in Uganda, Stella Kasirye resides in Malawi and serves as the Africa Representative for the Willow Creek Community Church Global Connections Unit. She brings an expertise on how grassroots partnerships, non-government organizations, churches and other initiatives are at work in Africa. Her experience and knowledge on the uniqueness of Africa will provide you with insights and practical applications for efforts in other countries as well.
Session 5: The Leader’s Critical Role – Bill Hybels
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
The pastor and senior leaders at your church are instrumental in how new direction is embraced and owned by your people—and in how well the process fosters their spiritual development. Bill Hybels is senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, a congregation growing in its understanding of what it means to live out the Gospel. He describes his team’s journey in leading Willow’s people to engage more actively in God’s work in justice and compassion. He also provides a seasoned leader’s perspective on:
- Navigate difficult issues
- Engage the congregation in the process
- Staff and budget for new vision
- Determine next steps for your church’s unique journey
