Compassion and Justice | Willow Creek Community Church

A Call for Help to the C.A.R.S. Ministry

A few weeks ago, the C.A.R.S. ministry received a phone call from a distressed mother living approximately an hour from Willow Creek. A few days before calling, she and her husband had separated, leaving her as a single mother to four girls between the ages of two and fourteen. At the time of the separation, her husband took their only vehicle and she was left without transportation to get her to her job in the city.

A friend offered the use of a car, but the brakes were unsafe and it had failed emissions testing. She was desperate to make the car safe, but her finances were tight, so she called the C.A.R.S. Ministry. C.A.R.S. was able to contact a local high school near her home and make arrangements for her to take the car to the school’s auto repair training shop. Students, who rely on cars in need of repair in order to learn auto mechanics, would be able to fix her car if she paid for the parts.

“I am writing to let you know how much I appreciated your assistance. Somehow I feel you gave me a boost of good blessings,” said this mother in a follow-up letter to C.A.R.S. After C.A.R.S. connected her with the high school, she had to postpone the repairs in order to save enough to pay for the parts. Two of her co-workers overheard her dilemma and offered to pay to have her car repaired by a local mechanic. It is now fixed. The co-workers even purchased the necessary emissions sticker and paid for the penalties associated with the delinquency in complying with state laws regarding vehicle emissions. “You opened doors for me and my family,” she said. “I want to start taking my daughters to church. It’s a value I’ve been unable to offer my girls until now.”

Willow Creek’s Legal Aid Ministry Seeks to Provides Peace and Justice

Stress was evident in the way the man carried himself—heavy, confused, broken. With an air of despair, words tumbled out of his mouth. “I’m unable to pay my mortgage; no one at the bank will talk to me; I have no way to refinance.” A caring lawyer with Willow Creek’s Legal Aid Ministry sat down with the gentleman and immediately was drawn to his eyes—ones that said, “My world is about to cave in.” She talked through some options; none of which were particularly satisfying.

Then the man said, “There is usually one more place to look, one more person to ask, one more step to take. But, I think you will be my last stop. I’m out of options. I’m out of ideas and people.” When he finished, the lawyer spoke gently to him, “God is throwing you a party right now because you are finally going to turn this over to Him. You are finally going to trust Him.” The words felt strange to her until she realized they were from God. The man looked blankly for a second, then his eyes watered, he smiled and left. No deep legal opinion rendered, but a life path changed, perhaps.

A Common Scenario
For the members of the Legal Aid Ministry, this is an all too common scenario. Fifteen lawyers serve regularly at Willow Creek’s Care Center on Tuesday mornings. Clients are seen on a first come/first served basis.

Attorneys hear a mix of stories, mostly family law issues, but also foreclosures, consumer debt, and employment/benefits concerns. Legal Ministry team members interview the client, hoping to solve the issue in one visit. If resolution takes longer, the client may be referred to a panel of pro bono referral lawyers or another legal aid resource.

Success Stories
In existence now for two years, the Legal Aid Ministry sees approximately one thousand clients each year. While the team members use their legal expertise throughout the process, they also believe strongly that their mission is to seek justice and encourage the oppressed while demonstrating God’s love.

As attorneys, they desire to resolve every legal issue quickly, but they work toward another objective: Do clients feel the peace of God before they leave? The goal is to access God’s power to resolve the problem and to conclude each consultation with prayer.

The Road Ahead
In today’s economy, many people require legal aid. Sometimes simply adding a lawyer to the situation positively moves negotiations. To help others in need of aid, the ministry will soon add an evening time slot on Tuesdays. Additionally, team members are working to create seminars that will educate clients on important topics such as foreclosures.

Licensed lawyers are always needed. If you’d like to volunteer in this role, please contact Kellye Fabian.

Willow Creek DuPage Tackles the Issue of Human Trafficking

“Trafficking people has to stop.  It’s the fastest growing crime behind weapons and drugs.” Madeline Albright

Human Trafficking is a growing problem not only in under-developed countries, but in our own area. Chicago is the third largest human trafficking hub in the US. Trafficking involves mainly women and children who are sold into prostitution and slave labor. It’s a lucrative business where pimps can make $2,000 a week for every girl in prostitution.

There are more slaves in our time than in any time in our history. Slave traders made $32 billion last year alone, and sold 2.2 million children into slavery. Steve Spear, pastor of Willow Dupage, encouraged his congregation see the rockumentary Call+Response narrated by musician Justin Dillon with comments from Madeline Albright, Dr. Cornel West, Nicolas Kristof, Julia Ormond and Ashley Judd.

Why Tackle Human Trafficking
“I am a soldier for this war.” Justin Dillon

Using undercover filming techniques, Call+Response exposes audiences to human trafficking. In Mumbai young people are kidnapped and locked in cages. Eighty percent of them are female and 50 percent of them are just children. With their mouths, hands, and feet taped and bound, they are gang raped and beaten into submission. Bribes keep the police at bay and often the police heighten the offenses by participating as customers.

There are 27 million slaves in the world today working as prostitutes or toiling in the coffee, cotton, and chocolate industries. In some countries, the males are forced to become soldiers, rapists and terrorists. Slaves live in squalid conditions with little food and water and are forced to work 12 or more hour days seven days a week. To prevent them from escaping, they are often chained together. Most will die as slaves.

Willow DuPage Made the “Call” and the Congregation is “Responding”
“I would like to thank WCCC Dupage as well as the film’s producer, Justin Dillon, who opened our eyes to this problem.” Bobbie Klimkowski, Willow DuPage member

“I think it all started when my husband and I saw the movie Taken. A week later I attended the WCA Leadership Conference and Christine Caine, a Human Rights Advocate, spoke on human trafficking. Next, I heard about Call+Response. Steve Spear, campus pastor at Willow DuPage, encouraged us to watch the film,” said Becky Brandvik, a member at Willow DuPage. The congregation is stepping into action to do something about the problem now and in the future.

Ways to Help
“I think it starts with changing the hearts of men and women and showing them they can have fulfillment through Christ and a life that is God-honoring,” said Becky. “I am a runner and would be thrilled to help organize a Willow-endorsed race to help raise awareness.” Just as the musicians in Call+Response pooled their talents to produce a film, we all have gifts we can use to help. There is nothing like the power of one to make a difference in this world.  We can all raise awareness, contact our elected officials, and buy products that do not use slave labor.

For more information, contact the Compassion and Justice Ministry at Willow Creek.

A Time for Celebration

Loneliness.  It is difficult anytime of the year, but at Christmas time it is especially challenging.  It is even more so for the residents of the Illinois Youth Detention Center in Warrenville Illinois, the only maximum security facility for female youth offenders in the state.  Separated from family and friends, isolation hits hard.

Volunteers Bring Cheer

On any given Saturday, most residents are confined to their cells usually working on homework or completing cleaning chores.  Those on good behavior can help out the staff by working in the kitchen, mowing the lawn in the summer or shoveling snow in the winter.  Like most routines, it is monotonous especially for teenagers who’d rather be hanging out with friends or at the mall.

That’s why it was a cause for celebration when, on Saturday December 18, a group of 11 volunteers from Willow Creek put on a Christmas party for the incarcerated girls.  For several hours, volunteers shared conversations, games and food.  Willow provided the pizza and the volunteers brought soda and chips.  One volunteer, who was also a teacher, gave a special bookmark to each girl handmade by her students.

Raising the Roof

Since the residents love to sing, especially the rich music of Christmas, the highlight of the day was worship   They use worship as an avenue to express their love of God, and also to feel closer to Him.  Singing helps melt away the roughness of their personal situations and allows God to comfort and nurture them.  The volunteers pray earnestly that their efforts will solidify a relationship with Christ the girls can take with them when they leave the facility.

Cookies and Hugs

When the celebration ended, each attendee was given a bag of cookies, packed by Willow’s Singles Ministry.  Volunteers also hugged them and wished them happiness for the holiday season.  A myriad of volunteers turned a couple of hours on a Saturday into a birthday party for the King, and the residents felt the blessings of all those individuals who made it happen, whether they were present or not.  The smiles on their faces, sincere words of gratitude and hugs were thanks enough.

Teams visit the Warrenville (women) and St. Charles (men) facilities on a regular basis.  If you’d like to join the team to share God’s love, please contact Ann at: [email protected]

Willow Creek Connects with Kids Hope USA

“Let the little ones come to me, and do not keep them away for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

What can you accomplish with just one hour a week? How can you serve the local school and your community? Willow Creek is teaming up with Kids Hope USA (KHUSA), an award-winning mentoring program, which works exclusively through churches. It promotes a one-to-one relationship with at-risk public elementary school children. Educators and law enforcement officials agree that coming alongside a child during the critical formative years when values, self-esteem, and academic skills are acquired can have the greatest impact. A successful mentor does not have to have a background in education—just a heart to serve. “I love the vision of mentoring at-risk kids—getting them before the 'world' does, and trying to guide them to the 'right' path,” said Sue Dunn who will be one of the Willow program directors.

Why Willow Creek Is partnering with Kids Hope USA
At risk children often lack support from home. With love and nurturing, Willow Creekers can see a large reward on their investment. The Frost Research Center reports that 99.3% of children with KHUSA demonstrate academic improvement and motivation to learn—key tools for future success. If a child doesn’t learn to read by the third grade, research has shown, they are more likely to live a life of crime and experience drug and alcohol dependency.

Attend a Willow Creek Mentoring Training Class on Saturday, October 16
Learn how to put your faith into action and affect your community and get equipped to make a lifelong difference in an at-risk child’s life by attending an upcoming class on Saturday, October 16 from 8–11 a.m. You can also be a prayer partner for a mentor and child. Connie Kitzinger, a Willow Creek volunteer with a Master’s degree in Communications and Adult Education, will provide the necessary tools.

“It is a simple, effective way to assess change in the life of a child.” –Connie Kitzinger.

“I hope to see a child who looks forward to my arrival each week because our developing relationship has made her feel more loved, appreciated and successful at school.” –Lynne Sell who attended a Willow KHUSA director’s conference.

Sign up for the class at classes.willowcreek.org.
If you would like more information on KHUSA, please contact the Compassion and Justice ministry.

One child. One hour. One church. One school.

Willow Launches New Season of PADS

From the beginning of October to the end of April each year, Willow opens its doors each Thursday to serve the homeless. In fact, Willow is one of 19 churches in the northwest suburbs to partner with Journeys from PADS to Hope. (PADS stands for Public Action to Deliver Shelter). Journeys, a non-profit organization that serves individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, provides an array of services including mental health counseling, vocational rehabilitation, housing assistance, and overnight shelter sites that offer a safe, warm place to sleep and eat hot meals. That's where Willow comes in. Every Thursday evening during this seven-month period, Willow offers guests from Journeys transportation to the church, a hot supper, laundry facilities, a place to sleep, breakfast, and a bag lunch to take with on Friday morning when they leave.

The Core of PADS

"Among the guests of PADS, Willow has a very good reputation," says Volunteer Site Coordinator Lee Larson. Lee believes Willow’s volunteers are the reason. Not only do they show up for different shifts at all hours of the night, but they also purchsae food, prepare meals, and donate whatever is needed. Each year the volunteers return for another PADS season to serve. Why? They have a heart for the people they serve. Volunteers develop close relationships with the guests by talking with them and listening to their stories. Perhaps this is why some volunteers take vacation days to serve at PADS. Or why other volunteers feel led to provide additional assistance to help guests escape the cycle of homelessness.

Planting a Seed

Due to their dire circumstances, guests of PADS are often open to spiritual conversations. Lee says, "Wherever there's an opportunity, we are open to how God leads us to plant a seed." Once the door opens, there's no telling where it will lead. Some of the former PADS guests now serve at Willow. But what astonishes Lee and the other volunteers is when they see former PADS guests getting baptized. This is how the volunteers know that's "where God wants them." Eighteen guests visited PADS during the first week of October 2010, which is 18 new children of God to serve.

Job Connections Ministry Evolves

Connecting job seekers with employers is a job that Willow Creek takes seriously. Launched in 2005, the Willow Creek Job Connections website originally connected Willow attendees looking for work with employers who attended Willow. The majority of positions available were high-level, requiring education and experience. As the economy worsened and unemployment figures rose, however, it became apparent that this ministry needed to expand. And where better to do so but at the place evidencing the most need...the Care Center.

Shop for Food and a Job at the Care Center

An estimated 65% of Care Center guests are unemployed. Based on this need, the Job Connections Ministry responded by creating a resource that reaches beyond the walls of Willow. Now anyone, including those visiting the Care Center, have access to the Willow Creek Job Connections website. Even more significant, the postings run the gamut of experience, from entry level to mid-level to high level positions. As Operations Manager Nicole Burt explains, matching the skills sets of employees with employer needs is an "organic process" that continues to unfold. For many Care Center guests, the lack of a computer, an email address, and a resume make it very difficult to find a job. Yet, the task is not nearly so daunting with computer kiosks at the Care Center that are user friendly. For example, making a job connection for a guest at the Care Center may be as simple as providing an employer's phone number.

Something for Everyone

Nicole also notes that because the website is so successful in matching employees with employers, it is constantly being "fine-tuned." The website provides a step-by-step tutorial for job seekers and employers on how to effectively use the site. Jobs can be searched according to category or zip code, and job seekers without a cover letter or resume are able to create one on-line. Also, the site is equipped to glean available positions with qualified employers who have not even posted an opening so that they are included among the website's job listings. Currently, the website contains 1,300 active job listings, 1,400 employers, and 8,300 job seekers. So regardless of the need - either as a job seeker or an employer - or the level of skill - either possessed or required -the Willow Creek Job Connections website intends to make a match.

For more information, please visit willowcreek.needsmet.org.

Joyful Hands of the Lord

In July, a team from Willow, lead by Dave MacKenzie, collaborated with an organization called Joyful Hands to build a Habitat for Humanity home located in Carpentersville. Nora would be the recipient and would be required, like all Habitat homeowners, to put in “sweat equity” which is working a set amount of physical labor hours on the home’s construction.

Time was of the essence

The home’s location meant Nora’s child would attend a Barrington school. In order for that to happen, the house needed to be approved as livable by August 23^rd, the start of school. Several obstacles seemed to delay the project. Nora suffered a bad fall and injured her ankle. As a result, she wasn’t able to get around. This would hinder her from putting in her required sweat equity, stalling the completion date and possibly preventing her child from starting school on time.

The Church is the Hope of the World

We often hear the church is the hope of the world. How great it would be for churches to join together in their efforts to help others. Well, that is what happened with this project!

Many smaller churches who wish to be involved in a Habitat for Humanity project, don’t have the necessary funding. Joyful Hands consists of ten churches in the Barrington area, including Willow, that work together to construct Habitat for Humanity homes.

Nora had no extended family to reach out to when she was unable to put in her sweat equity hours. Many individuals from Joyful Hands stepped up and volunteered to act on Nora’s behalf as an extended family member. It was through these volunteers that the required hours were completed. The house passed final inspection on August 22^nd, just one day before the start of school. Love Thy Neighbor, another Willow ministry, joined in as well by preparing and delivering meals to Nora.

For information on Joyful Hands, please visit their website.

If you would like to volunteer on other building projects, please contact Anne Rand.

Having a Servant's Heart and Passing It On

“My children have no fear knowing that Christ is with them,” said Sue Clinger. “I have them for a short time, but they have a lifetime to serve and build into the kingdom of God.”

“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve had a heart to serve. My mother modeled giving by feeding the hobos in our neighborhood.” It’s a mantel Sue has passed on to her children. As a Willow member for 24 years, Sue learned from women leaders at Willow through serving, mentorship, and the opportunities Willow provided to develop the leadership gifts she now uses on Monday mornings as a team leader at the Care Center.

Serving as a Leader in the Care Center

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20

Sue was looking for a ministry opportunity. When she saw a homeless woman at Menards in Crystal Lake, and she helped her by providing coffee and a tent. Later, a friend encouraged her to visit the Care Center. During her first visit, she felt an emotional connection with the guests, the volunteers, and its purpose of turning hunger into hope—not just the hunger of the body, but the hunger of the soul. Since that initial visit in October of 2008, Susan has used her leadership gift to lead the Monday morning volunteer team while connecting with the Care Center guests. “I love to serve and lead people,” said Sue. “It’s a privilege to use my gifts and to serve at a church that cares so deeply for the needs of others.”

Creating a Servant's Heart

As her children Caitlin, Courtney, and Sam grew, Sue and her husband Randy desired to provide serving opportunities for them.  They often went into the city of Chicago to feed up to 500 homeless. As they grew older, they participated in mission trips to Bolivia and Mexico where they worked with the impoverished.  A year ago Sue was asked to lead the Monday morning Care Center team where three generations of her family help when opportunity provides. “It is amazing to watch as God develops my kids' compassion, to see the risks they take, and their understanding and acceptance of the need for diversity.  I have a short time to have an impact on them, and all three have caught the vision.  My heart overflows when I see them serve,” said Sue through her tears.  “God will lead them now to serve and further His kingdom.”

Crack at the Dinner Table

Wendy Horton, long-time Willow member, chaplain at the Lake County Jail, and co-leader of the Willow Lake County Jail Team, has a heart for the prison and jail ministry. Below is a reflection on one of Wendy’s most recent visits.

There are hundreds of stories I hear each time I go, ministering to the men as chaplain, and I come home asking God, "Why not me?" I’ve never had to sleep in a bathtub to avoid bullets from my window; I’ve never smoked a crack pipe around the holiday table; I’ve never seen anyone killed. I had the advantage of loving my pets, not killing them to toughen me up. I took baths in my bathtub, but never had to stand in there so when my mom beat me blood wouldn’t get on the walls. So many stories, so much pain, such a need for a Savior.

I debated sparing the details in this writing; however, I recently wrote on my Facebook page about being blessed not to have smoked crack around the holiday table. Someone wrote back, "If they are stupid enough to smoke crack they should be in jail." My reply was: "He was only eight and didn’t really know what stupid was." It was a normal reply for those of us who live in the land of OZ. I lived there too, before I prayed with inmates and took time to listen to their stories.

I’m giving details so the next time you hear, “Keep them locked up—they deserve it," remember that but for the grace of God go you or I. They deserve the same love and mercy God gives to all of us each day. Isn’t grace a wonderful thing that we don’t have to stay locked up in our sin, even though we deserve it? Prison ministry isn’t for everyone, but I know it’s for me. It keeps me on my knees thanking God for the life He has given me and the wonderful chance to serve Him and the least of these, my brothers and sisters.

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If you would like more information about Willow’s Prison Ministry, please contact Anne Rand at [email protected]. In addition, consider attending the three-week Prison & Jail midweek class that begins on September 8, 2010.