October 12, 2008 - Willow Creek Chicago (visiting Chicago today)

Church: Willow Creek Chicago, Chicago, IL

Date Visited: October 12, 2008

Pastor: Bill Hybels

Debbie's First Impression: I was interested to see how they were going to convert the facility to a worship center.

Butch's First Impression: Very friendly and interesting worship area.

Were you greeted? Yes, the welcoming “team” greeted us before we even got inside.

Were the people friendly? Yes, very!

Did you feel comfortable and welcome? Yes

Was the facility easy to find? Yes, the cab driver knew just where to go. It was in a huge theatre in downtown Chicago.

Parking: There was contracted parking in the office building next door to the auditorium. We didn’t park since we took a cab.

Dress Code: Casual

Was it easy to find your way around? Yes, they had people strategically placed all around the campus.

Was there easy access to information? Yes, we even stopped at the visitor’s desk and learned more about the church.

Flow/Time of Service: First 30 minutes was all music. We arrived early for the “pre-worship” music and it was totally worth it!!

Prayer time: There wasn’t a lot of prayer time but what prayers were offered, were heartfelt and appropriate.

Bible Teachings: The minister was not live and in person, he was on a video screen from another location. His lesson was great and very well received even though he wasn’t live. This is difficult to do well.

Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit was in the music here at Willow Creek.

Band: The band was incredible! We aren’t sure but we were pretty convinced the worship leader was Kirk Franklin. If it wasn’t Kirk Franklin, the music and style was JUST like Kirk Franklin. Drums and percussion were a focal point. The guitar players and keyboard player were great!

Music: The music was fantastic! There was LOTS of energy by everyone that was on the stage.

Vocalists: They had a worship leader and 4 other vocalists. Every one of them could SING!!! Then they also had a worship choir with about 25 people in it. All of the people on the stage singing were very excited to be there and full of Christ! You could see it in their faces and in how they sang each song.

Coffee and Food: There was coffee and donuts available at the information desk.

Bookstore: They had some shirts and things to purchase but not really a “bookstore”. We got the impression the facility was used for other things during the week.

Bathrooms: Huge bathrooms but not easily accessible because it is an auditorium. There are lots of stairs to go down to get to the bathrooms. I am guessing there was an elevator for those that aren’t able to use the stairs.

Exit Greeting: We had a number of people wish us well for the coming week.

Debbie's Opinion: Willow Creek Chicago is a satellite church of the larger Willow Creek campus. I have been to other churches where they tried the video “message” and it didn’t work. Bill Hybels makes it work for sure! He is an accomplished writer and an incredible speaker. We were even there during the weekend of the Chicago Marathon and the church was still VERY well attended. This was a fantastic place to worship and to hear some inspirational praise and worship music! Loved this place!

Butch's Opinion: When we decided to go to Willow Creek Church, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after reading about the church on their website. I can tell you if you are ever in Chicago or the Chicago area and you are looking for a place to worship, go to Willow Creek Church!! From the time we walked in the door until the time we left we were made to feel very welcome and you can sense this was a very special place. If you are in downtown Chicago, you MUST attend the “pre-worship” music that begins at 9:46 a.m. The music at this worship service was some of the most inspiring, soul filling, praise and worship music I have ever heard. You won’t sit down during the 30 minutes of music. That is just the beginning. It is quite apparent that the mission of this church is to prepare its members to bring others to a knowledge and relationship of Jesus Christ and his teachings. They are not “in your face” evangelicals but they are all about equipping their members to serve as Christ’s ambassadors and disciples in the world.