Translate to Spanish

Héctor Hermosillo used to have a comfortable life. A very comfortable life. A singer, composer, and guitarist, he was a member of the band backing up Luis Miguel, the Mexican pop singer who has been the most popular performer in Latin America for the last two decades. Based out of Mexico City, Hermosillo traveled the world playing music for millions of fans, from sold-out stadiums to Radio City Music Hall.

When he heard the gospel message in 1983, Hermosillo began using his gifts and platform to impact his culture. "I just decided to live my life for Jesus, no matter the cost," he says. He got involved in his local church, taking a leadership role and preaching occasionally. Before long, he had founded the Dove Award-winning worship band Torre Fuerte (Strong Tower).

In 1996, Hermosillo heard about a church near Chicago that used music and the arts to relate the gospel to people in their community. "I needed to see it," he says of Willow Creek Community Church. "When we were on tour, we passed through Chicago-land, and I decided to pay a taxi to come here. Lee Strobel was teaching. The place was packed with teenagers."

Hermosillo was impressed. Inspired by Willow's vision, he returned to Mexico City and planted three new churches. "We started in a dining room," he says. "But I decided with my wife, Gabby, that we could make a difference there." The Hermosillos did make a difference. That small dining-room fellowship soon turned into multiple congregations filled with artists and musicians. "We started two churches, three different missions, two schools, and a record label," Hermosillo says of his time in Mexico City. "I made a lot of mistakes, but I was trying to do something that could make a difference in people's lives for the long-term."

He pauses. "Then we renounced everything and started from nothing here." For Hermosillo, "here" is now South Barrington, Illinois. In 2005, Hermosillo returned to Willow Creek to become pastor of Casa de Luz (House of Light), Willow's fellowship for the Hispanic community. He admits it was a difficult transition. "The beginning was not easy because all my friends, all my resources were on the other side of the border." He used to live, he says, in "dangerous comfort" where his influence and fame got him anything he wanted, even as a pastor.

next page | printer friendly version