The task of the ladies from Willow Creek Baptist Church in West Des Moines, Iowa was to provide Alpha Women’s Center with fleece blankets for the baby baskets they give to new moms. The coordinator of the event, Clarene Jefson, has prayed for 50 fleece blankets to be made and God graciously answered her prayers with exactly 50 blankets made by nearly 40 enthusiastic women and girls. Please pray with the Willow Creek church family that these blankets will be a small encouragement to a mother in need and create another way for the Alpha Women’s Center to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To view pictures from the event click here.

On December 14th, the Home Designer’s gathered to show off their ugly sweaters and play an intense game of Christmas Bingo…and wow was it ever accomplished! Just take a peek at the pictures to the left. If your class has had a party or if you have taken pictures at a Willow Creek Event send them to cody.crigger@gmail.com and we’ll post them on the web. You can also click on the pictures to the left and you will be escorted to picasa web albums enabling you to view and peruse the most recent photos from Willow Creekers.

This Christmas, our Willow Creek Baptist Church family partnered with HOPE Ministries of Des Moines. Our goal was to complete 30 Christmas Adopt-a-Family HOPE Boxes which would be given to families in need. During the month of November we collected specific donations to be put in the boxes and were able to collect enough for 33 boxes plus many extra items that helped fill boxes at HOPE MINISTRIES that were missing specific items. The box party was a great time as our church family wrapped and packed 30 boxes to be given to those who are truly in need. Thanks to all who participated. Christ said it best…”when you did it to the least of these my brothers, you were doing it to me.” Thank you

The McCaughey’s were recently featured in the Baptist Bulletin.  Here’s an excerpt.  “‘Normal’ is a kid and a frog on a hot August afternoon. Normal is a box sitting in the driveway, stocked with the obligatory sticks and rocks and lettuce leaves. Normal is a skinned knee and a tussle over the video game joystick. Normal.” To read the rest of the article click here.

Thanks to all who came, helped, and organized the party. I know that all who came had a great time. It was neat to see our community reach out and invite their friends, neighbors and co-workers. Click on the slide show to the left to download your own copy of pictures from the festival.

Passion was an awesome experience for me! It can be easy to get discouraged and feel very in the ‘minority’ in some of my classes. So it was really encouraging to see so many college students travel just to come to Passion and praise the Lord! The worship was an awesome time, with Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman being LIVE! And I especially enjoyed Louie’s story about a girl who didn’t get her chance to be a huge light for the Lord until her last year of college. It encouraged me to remember to keep trusting in the Lord, because I can know that He’s going to use me in HIS time. I’m really glad I got the chance to go to Passion this year, and I’m excited for what God has in store for me.

Tuesday, September 25, the Home Designers gathered at the Phillips for great soup and a pumpkin carving contest. To view some of the entries and other photos click on the picture to the left. Thanks to the Phillip’s for the smashing time.

This year our ladies hosted the Iowa Fellowship of Regular Baptist churches state ladies retreat. Peggy Walker was the guest speaker. She did a great job encouraging ladies to be content with what God has for their lives. Click on the slide show to left for pictures. Click Here for Testimonies.

A terrible plague has gripped Christianity for many years. It has ruined lives, families, testimonies and churches. It is the plague of mediocrity and it runs rampant today. Mediocrity is living below our potential. It is giving just enough to God to ease our conscience but not enough to produce spiritual transformation.

Give God Your Best (Colossians 3:23)
Whether performing responsibilities at home, at work, at church, or whatever you do, always do your best. Do it “heartily”—with all your heart. Whatever we do, whether it be small or great, easy or difficult, let’s not be guilty of half-hearted effort. We must labor “as to the Lord.” Everything the Christian does has a spiritual significance. Therefore, everything we do is a great opportunity to serve the Lord.

Our Best Brings God’s Best (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Mediocre efforts yield mediocre results. God is looking for whole-heartedness. He is merciful and gracious and does not ask more of us that He is able to accomplish in and through us. We want great marriages and godly children with little effort. We want transformation, fruitful ministries, and revival with as little effort as possible. Let’s wholeheartedly “present our bodies a living sacrifice.” Then we will experience God’s best in our behalf.

God Gave His Best (John 3:16) God gave Himself to redeem our soul from sin. It was nothing short of the blood of God shed on the cruel cross of Calvary that paid the price for our sin debt. Is He not worthy of our best, of our all? Let’s rise out of mediocrity and reach our fullest potential in Christ for He is worthy!
—copied from Betty Abuhl’s prayer letter Pastor James Gugino, Rochester New York

Hello, friends. My name is Justin Green and I have been attending Willow Creek for five years along with my wife Kristin and children Kate and Matthew. I accepted Christ as my personal Savior at the age of five. While I continued to grow in knowledge of the things of God, the experience that has most impacted my walk with Christ occurred at the age of twelve. Following a Christmas shopping trip, my family was robbed at gunpoint in our home and left bound together. But just as in the story of Joseph in Genesis, God meant the experience for good. So many Biblical concepts became clear that night: The power of prayer, the Peace that passes understanding, Eternal life, and the living Word of God, just to name a few. Psalm 118:6 says it best, “The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

During our first visit to Willow Creek, we found “The Big 3” that we were looking for in a church: 1. Biblical preaching 2. Great music 3. A young married Sunday School class. Through our growth in these areas, the door was opened for Kristin and me to serve as cosponsors of the college and career group known as YALL (Young Adults Living Life).

In Sunday School, Troy Rider and I have been teaching a series titled, “The Jesus I Never Knew” by Phillip Yancey. It has caused me to identify several unbiblical misconceptions I have had and has challenged me with the concept of Christ-likeness. If we are to be like Christ in our actions and dealings with other people, then how exactly did Jesus respond to the people He encountered? He dealt with rejection, disappointment in others, suffering, joy, celebration, hecklers and seekers, to name a few. As a pilot for Southwest Airlines, I am in the position to meet many different people on a weekly basis. The ongoing challenge is to respond in all situations like Christ. As pastor has been teaching, that ability can only be accomplished with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I am so thankful for the loving church family we have and the opportunities for growth that God has given me through His church. Please continue to pray for the YALL ministry as school resumes so that we may encourage and strengthen young believers and share the gospel to those that may not know Jesus as their Savior.

To view this story click here. This is a protected post. Please use your member login password to view the story. If you have forgotten the password please call or email the Willow Creek office.

This year several families from our church attended Family Camp. We would like to share with you what we learned that week. Pastor Pausley spoke in the morning sessions on the Family and Pastor Tim Moore from LeClaire, Iowa spoke through Haggai in the evenings. You can listen to all the messages below.

 

 Pastor Tim Moore-Sunday Morning: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Steve Hill-Sunday Night: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Charles Pausley-Monday Morning: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Tim Moore-Monday Night: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Charles Pausley-Tuesday Morning: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Tim Moore-Tuesday Evening: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Charles Pausley - Wednesday Morning: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Tim Moore - Wednesday Evening: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Pastor Charles Pausley - Thursday Morning: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The GARBC annual conference in Lancaster, PA, June 26-29, 2007 was a great blessing. We were happy to be among the eight from Willow Creek Baptist Church who attended. The Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew 16:18, confidently predicted, “I will build my church…” That statement brings confidence and assurance to us believers in these troubled times.

This year, the GARBC celebrates its 75th anniversary; that fact helped to make the days we spent together at the conference very special. People from most states and from around the world (including Africa and India) gathered to lift our voices in praise to our God; praise for who He is and for what He has done. It was definitely a confidence builder.

Doug McLachlan, recently-retired pastor of Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MN was the principal speaker. The grandson of a gangster in Detroit and the son of a bartender, McClachan’s preaching was invigorating and inspiring. Among other things, he said there should be “overflow—the gospel should spill out of us,” and that we should not be “hiding out in our holy huddles” or “holing up in elegant ecclesiastical holy salt shakers.”

Other speakers included John Greening (GARBC National Representative), Richard Van Heukelum, David Strope, Ernie Schmidt, and Jim Jeffery.

All of the music and the preaching were a great blessing. However, we would have to say that, for us, the greatest blessing was to hear our 18-year-old granddaughter, Heidi, sing in a mixed quartet and our 16-year-old granddaughter, Anna, beautifully play the violin in the Talents for Christ competition. Though we will admit to a little family bias, we have difficulty imagining that heaven’s music will be any sweeter.

Next year GARBC national conference, with the theme “The Glory of the Cross” (Galatians 6:14) will be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mark your calendar: June 24-27, 2008.

—Jim and Clarene Jefson

to learn more about the garbc click here

The treasure of God’s love and the truth that Jesus lives forever was discovered this past week in Vacation Bible School.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped. It was a GRRRReat week for the children and also the teachers and helpers. The high attendance of the week was on Thursday with over 150 having a great time singing, doing crafts, playing games and most importantly, learning God’s Word. Over $400 was received in the offering to be given to our missionaries to Kenya, Bobby and Lisa Bechtel, to feed the children of the Manna Feeding Centers.

A special thank you to Tony and Dianne Merrill, our directors, who could not have done it without the help of so many of you!

Click on the picture above to see more photos from the week

On Thursday May, 24 the Home Settlers traveled to the Oehlerts’ Home. A great time was had by all. Click the photo on the left for a look at more photos from the outing.

Last Night we celebrated with our children their accomplishments in learning scripture and how to apply it to their lives. Click on the picture to the left to view photos of last nights event. If you have any questions about our Awana Ministry or any other ministries at Willow Creek please click here.Don’t forget about our Summer Ministry KIDDOPUPS which begins May 23rd at 6:45pm.

This week we honored Isaac Johnson, one of our own church family, and all donations from the Willow Creek café went to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Isaac’s name. Thank you for supporting the Johnson’s in this en devour. We raised over $1300 from the cafe. Thank you again for your generosity it means more than words can say to see the love of Christ being demonstrated in this way. To learn more about Isaac click here.

Our Ladies met this morning and had a great time encouraging one another. Marge Pearson spoke on putting off sins and things that distract us from serving God with joy. Click on the image to the left to see more photos from this fantastic event. A special thank you goes out to Amy Reynolds for the beautiful decorations and Carrie Jordan for the fantastic brunch.

Isaac Johnson is one special little guy at Willow Creek Baptist Church. Shortly after his birth in January 2005, there were some concerns about his health and God’s people began to pray. When he was four months old, Isaac was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. He is one of roughly 30,000 children and adults in the United States with this genetic disease.

There is no cure for CF; however, research has made a lot of advances, and there is hope for a cure.

Isaac’s dad and mom, Matt and Lynn, and older siblings Zachary and Meredith have learned to care for Isaac. They are trusting God and growing in His grace. Grandpa and Grandma Bennett and Grandpa and Grandma Johnson have been indispensable help to the family as there have been multiple trips to Minneapolis, hospital stays, regular local doctor visits, and daily care.

As Isaac’s church family we want to show our support in a tangible way. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has a major fund-raiser annually called Great Strides—Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis. Again this year, as Team Willow Creek we want to take a great stride and make a donation in Isaac’s honor to show our love and support for Isaac and his family.

On Wednesday, May 2, all donations from the Willow Creek Café supper will go to Team Willow Creek’s account for Isaac. There will be no official charge for the supper that evening, but generous donations will speak well of our love and support of Isaac and his family.

At the supper, there will be opportunity to pre-order your copy of Incredible Edibles, the cookbook that features recipes of Isaac’s many family members and friends. All proceeds from the cookbook will go to Team Willow Creek’s account in Isaac’s name.

“the whole body (Willow Creek), joined and knit together…according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16.

For more information about CF or to make an on-line donation, go to www.cff.org , click on Great Strides, select “Find a Walker” and enter Isaac’s name.

We had a great time together at the bowling party and we want to share the photo below with anyone who wants it. So anyway….here it is.

This Past Weekend (4/7/07) we had our very first Egg Hunt. We had many visitors and a great opportunity to share how Christ died and rose for our sins. Below is the story that was shared with the kids as well as a movie from the event. If you would like to view more photos from the event click on the picture to the left.

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our Ladies are planning the State Ladies Retreat for Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. Check out their promo video

 

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Click Here to view pictures from the skate night on February 14, 2007

Friday the 9th of February we had a Valentine Celebration. Click here to view pictures from the event.

Lynn Sicheneder recently read the book Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. Out of it he composed a prayer that if lived out would drastically change our lives. I read the prayer and thought it definitely worth sharing. So here it is…

Father, I look to You today with a desire to live with a single, soul satisfying passion for Your supremacy in all things. Today I want to experience You as my Highest Power and Authority, and to enjoy You as the Ultimate Joy. My desire is that my single, all consuming passion would be to experience Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and to be set on fire by it. To be satisfied in You and treasure You above all else. To cherish Your beauty, Your power, and Your love, and to draw others attention it. I long for others to see and enjoy Your tremendous worth, and for my life to have eternal significance by having Your Name and Your Renown as the desire of my heart. I want to live today in a way that I will not be ashamed, but with courage exalt Christ with my body whether it be by life or by death.

Lord, I don’t want to waste this day, but to live to spread a passion for You, in all things, for the joy of all people, through Jesus Christ. If I’m not already, I want to be willing to lose my life for Your sake. Whatever I thought of as something to strive after in the past, I consider it now as loss for the purpose of knowing Christ. In fact, I want to count everything as loss for the far greater value of a close trusting walk with Christ Jesus, even to the extent that I would gladly suffer the loss of anything that may get in the way of experiencing Christ. To be willing to come after You, to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. To treasure You above health and wealth and life itself. I don’t want to consider this physical life of great value, nor consider it precious to myself, but that my only desire would be to finish the course You have put me on, and testify to Your wonderful grace. I chose today that my living would be dying, dying to self, dying to comfort, dying to security, dying to reputation, dying to health, wealth, family and friends. You may chose to take any of these from me at any time. I accept with thanksgiving whatever You graciously give, but also embrace a life of loss for Christ’s sake. By Your grace I will live today in a way that shows You as my All Satisfying Treasure.

Father, please help me remember today that everything , everything good, and everything bad that You turn for good was purchased by Jesus’ death on the cross, so I will not take anything for granted. Help me see Jesus and enjoy Him as the great Purchaser of my every undeserved breath and every heartbeat. I will not be surprised at trials that come upon me to test me, as though something strange were happening, but rejoice that I can share in Christ’s sufferings, and see every experience in my life today is designed to magnify Christ and His Cross. Help me be willing to stay on the Calvary Road of love and suffering, with the promise that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.

Today by Your grace, I will gladly risk to make people glad in You, risk to show others that You are more precious than life itself. By the strength You supply today, I will risk for the cause of Christ. Regardless of the outcome I will trust You Lord, to do as Joab said, “what seems good to You”, as queen Esther submitted, “if I perish, I perish, and as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace, but even if He does not, we will not serve your god. So also I will not count my life as precious to myself. I am not my own, You bought me with a price, therefore I will honor You with my body today.

With all my heart, soul, strength, and mind I desire to pay close attention to You, to be deeply considerate of You, and be very careful how I live this day before You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. I must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. As I meditate on Your Glorious Worth my heart is full of wonder, fear, and love, for who is like You my Lord and my God. There is no one like You! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY are You Lord Almighty! The whole earth is full of Your Glory!