Jessica Hanewinckel

The lessons about grief, God and identity Steve Carter encountered after resigning from Willow Creek

“We’re trying to establish relationships. We think that if [bikers returning to our church] didn’t happen this year, then maybe they’ll come back next year, feel more comfortable, and then come out for something else.” —Motorcycle enthusiast Duane Kraayenbrink

Rather than solely coming alongside communities following major natural disasters, the church decided to use the ministry’s life-saving—and life-giving—equipment year-round.

"When a pastor chooses to live an unconfessed life, they put themselves in far greater danger than when being vulnerable." -Jamin Goggin

“Our focus is always on reaching the lost and those who are far from God. We just keep honoring God, trying to reach our community, being missional and attractional, and person by person, they keep coming through the doors.” - Pastor Brian McMillan

“The way a pastor treats families that have a member with a disability, the way he preaches, the way he talks about suffering, all of that matters.” -Sandra Peoples

When people visit Community and decide to stay, Pastor John Scott says, it’s because of the worship, the teaching, the children’s ministry and, most importantly, the feeling of belonging.

Churches seem to have an expectation that people need to come to us. We need to change that paradigm.