SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
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Q & A Founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church and chairman of the Willow Creek Association, Bill Hybels is respected world-wide for his leadership experience and passion for the local church. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books including The Power of a Whisper and Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs. |
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ENGAGE Jim Mellado has served as Willow Creek Association's president since 1993. He is passionate about Engage and its potential to help churches be more effective in helping people move forward in their spiritual journey toward Christ-centered living. He has been a champion, spokesperson and thought leader from inception. A 1991 graduate of Harvard Business School, Jim wrote a case study on Willow Creek Community Church while still a student that is still used today. |
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COMMUNITY Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is a professor in Religious Studies at North Park University in Chicago and a frequent teacher at Willow Creek's classes. Scot is the author of more than 20 books including The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others and The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible. |
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CHURCH OPERATIONS Brian McAuliffe joined the staff of Willow Creek in June of 2000. In his role, he oversees the financial/accounting functions; all operational and production functions as well as the self-supporting ministries; Seeds Bookstore, CARS Ministry, Harvest Food Ministry, and Camp Paradise. Brian received his MBA from Syracuse University and his BA from the University of Notre Dame. |
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CARE MINISTRIES As the Director of Compassion & Justice Ministries, Heather Larson oversees both the local and global expressions of these outreach ministries. After graduating from Taylor University, Heather worked with the American Red Cross to aid in local Chicago initiatives as well as in national disasters. As a leader, Heather believes the local church is the greatest vehicle for lasting social change when believers truly engage with the needs and issues of our world. |
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MARRIAGE & DIVORCE Kyndra Singer is a community care trainer with Willow Creek Association and a volunteer area director for the Community Care ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. She has been involved as a lay pastor with the Divorce Recovery Ministry at Willow Creek since 1989. Kyndra has a passion to envision and enable church pastors and leaders to see how the local church can serve people who have experienced struggling or broken relationships. |
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Pat Cimo joyfully leads Promiseland, the children's ministry of Willow Creek. She has been leading in Promiseland for 25 years, focusing on all aspects of creating a dynamic children's ministry with volunteers, curriculum, programs, and strategy. Pat champions the family vision, parent resources, and family experiences for Willow Creek. |
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STUDENT & NEXT GEN MINISTRY Jake Smith has been in full time ministry for fourteen years. After spending seven years in student ministry he became a pastor in Las Vegas NV for five years. He is now in his second year as the director of AXIS, Willow Creek's community for those 18-20+. His gifts are teaching and leadership with an emphasis in visioneering. |
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STUDENT & NEXT GEN MINISTRY Shane Farmer recently accepted a new role as Discipleship Director. This includes providing leadership to groups and classes as well as teaching at Willow's midweek service. Prior to this he served as Director of Student Impact, Willow's high school ministry. He has a M.A. from Bethel Seminary. |
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STUDENT & NEXT GEN MINISTRY Scott Rubin is the Director of Elevate, Willow's junior high ministry. He has been on staff at Willow for 19 years, working with students, volunteers & parents. Scott is also a speaker and author (Middle School Ministry, Red Stuff and the teen edition of John Ortberg's The Me I Want to Be). |
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SELF-LEADERSHIP Gordon MacDonald is an accomplished speaker, teacher, and author of more than a dozen books, including A Resilient Life: You Can Move Ahead No Matter What, Ordering Your Private World, Secrets of a Generous Life, The Life God Blesses, and Renewing Your Spiritual Passion. He also serves as editor-at-large for Leadership Journal. |
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TRANSFORMATION In her role, Mindy Caliguire provides visionary guidance to church leaders, empowering them to become more effective in authentic spiritual transformation. A frequent and requested speaker on the topic of leadership and transformation at churches, she is also the founder and president of Soul Care, a spiritual formation ministry launched in 1998 dedicated to helping people restore health to their souls. |
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CHURCH MANAGEMENT In his role, Greg Hawkins assists Bill Hybels in providing strategic leadership to Willow Creek's campuses and to the Willow Creek Association. He joined Willow n 1991 where he was involved in the development of Willow's small group ministry and the church's strategic planning process. Prior to Willow, Greg was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, a leading international management consulting firm. |
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FUNDRAISING & STEWARDSHIP Steve Spoelhof leads the fund raising efforts of the Willow Creek Association. Not trained as a development professional, Steve has used his skills honed from twenty years in business to build relationships that financially support kingdom work. He is a 1985 graduate of Calvin College and 1987 MBA graduate from the University of Michigan. |
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CHURCH GOVERNANCE Mike has attended Willow Creek since 1984. He and his wife Patsy have four married daughters and three grandsons. He works as chief actuary at a major insurance company in the Chicago area. Mike served on the Board of Directors. He also served in Willow's Pre-marital Ministry, Promiseland Ministry, as well as collected offerings. His spiritual gifts include leadership, administration, and evangelism. |
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CHURCH GOVERNANCE Greg and his wife, Dawn, and children Hannah and Cole live in Hoffman Estates. He is a Human Resources executive with a major consulting firm. Greg served as an Elder Assistant before joining the Elder Board. He has been involved Small Groups, Guest Services, HR department and Neighborhood Ministries. His spiritual gifts include leadership, wisdom, discernment, and giving. |
