Just Christmas

We get so busy and involved in getting ready for Christmas that sometimes we do not notice those around us. This Chrismas season we have the opportunity to stop and prepare our hearts by engaging in our own community and let Christs love shine through.
You can make a difference this Christmas by doing one or all three of the following.
Buy new coats for kids - 35 local ministries have asked us to collect 17,000 new coats for kids 0-18.
Serve in our community - there are thousands of serving opportunity throughout the Chicagoland area.
Give to the year end fund - this fund provides the resources for initiatives Willow suports both locally and globally.
Don't let this season pass you by without the chance of serving others. Find out how God will shape your life.
Click on each link to find out more.

Willow Creek Christmas 2009 - God With Us
Request your Christmas tickets for one of the 12 services and invite friends and family to celebrate how God has shown up in all our lives.

Elgin Blitz Build 2008

The weeks leading up to the Elgin Blitz Build was unpredictabe to say the least. The original home scheduled to be rehabed was sold to a different owner with the request of the City. This left the group scrambling for a new home. Northern Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity were able to acquire a different house on 524 Bent St. Little did they know that this was the plan all along, just not their plan.
The neighbors have been praying for this house for years. This house was shut down by the city several times because of drugs, gangs, shootings, and it once housed illegal immigrants. Everyone feels that the hand of God directed this. The neighbors prayers have finally been answered.
The permits and permisions were not finalized until the day before the start of the build. The owners, C.J. and Andy did not find out they were going to get this house until Friday night, the night before the build. They were very excited and thankful for this.
The week of the Build was very exciting. There were surprises all around. A busted pipe that emitted an odor that no one wanted to be around. The house was considered a historic building so there had to be a plan b. It had sunk about an inch and had to be jacked up and reinforced. A Funk & Wagnall's Literary Digest dated February 12, 1927 was found. The neighbors were extremely happy with what is going on that they also lent a hand. There was also great food served each day from different restaurants in the area and homemade entres and goodies from different volunteers. There were some minor injuries but all in all, it was a successful and rewarding week. Thank you to all who participated and prayed for the team.
The project was too big to be finished in one week and help is still needed to finish it. If you are interested, please click here and sign up. To read and view more pictures about this build and other communities, go to the official Blitz Build blog.