God has been
on the move!

We are celebrating a year of growth, transformation and next steps. Through large gatherings like Easter, Christmas, Celebration of Hope, HSM/JHM camps, and smaller moments like groups, Rooted, baptism, we’ve all taken next steps. We’ve reached out and served, opening our doors and offering a step up to those who need it. Prayers have been answered and Jesus has been seen. As we end 2024, we thank God for all He has done and look forward to all He has in store.

Kids &
Students

2,566

Kids & Students served each weekend

I started volunteering in Promiseland (now Willow Kids) many, many years ago when my twins were young and I committed to being a “room parent.” As they moved up, I started serving as a small group leader. Every time I walk into our Willow Kids, I can feel the love of our volunteers and church for our kids. I know Willow Kids is the community where I want my kids to be!

—Willow Kids volunteer

Baptisms

46

Kids

158

Students

Baptism Story

Graduating Senior

A graduating senior was baptized days before leaving the country to serve in the Singapore National Army (he was born there). His leader who walked with him through many things and baptized him! He was baptized on Memorial Day weekend, when Pastor Thomas preached about allegiance to Christ. This message and moment provided a fantastic springboard as the young man ventured into his next season of life!

HSM Story

How Kate came back

As I grew up, my family drifted from church. However, about a year and a half ago, my dad talked to me about returning to Willow. I realized I should at least try. I felt a change in my heart but didn’t know what it was. Over time, church became a constant. Week by week, I was looking forward to it more and more. One night I decided to pray and ask God to give me a sign if I should get baptized. The very next day was Sunday and Dave was preaching. I vividly remember him saying, “And for those of you who havent accepted Jesus, don’t be afraid to let him in.” In that moment, I started to tear up because I knew God answered my prayer. I’m proud to say I got baptized, started attending HSM, and signed up for camp. I felt the love of Jesus and Willow letting me know I’ve found myself through Him and this amazing church. I finally feel peace in my life knowing I have found my calling.”

—Kate, HSM Student

1,022

First Time Families

Disability & Inclusion Ministry

Each year, Willow Friends puts on a musical performance to put their gifts and talents on display!

8,000+

people attended this year’s production.

Watch the video to learn more about our Disability & Inclusion Ministry.

Life is better together

Groups
& Rooted

6,270

Adults in Small Groups in 2024

Groups story

Special Olympics

Paula is highly involved in Special Olympics Illinois, and her daughter was the recent Duck Derby Ambassador. Paula always dreamed of engaging Willow Friends (WF) with Special Olympics and worked with both organizations to make this happen! The Group Directory has allowed the opportunity to offer WF corn hole in to facilitate the WF community the opportunity to participate in this new special Olympics offering.

Even better, the Young Adults at South Barrington have been galvanizing to find buddies to pair with the WF to learn the sport and create socialization opportunities. What a beautiful picture of two amazing communities coming together!

744

People experienced Rooted

Groups story

Mom Group

One South Lake mom felt led to start a group for other moms. At first, no one signed up, and she was feeling a bit discouraged. Eventually, she personally invited moms from school and people started to engage! One of them, who was not on a spiritual journey, felt so seen by the invitation, she joined and began to have her needs met as she grew in community!

Groups Story

Leila’s Cooking Group

Leila’s passion for cooking started young, but the pandemic didn’t just isolate her from others, it pulled her away from her kitchen. In the years that followed, she fired up a new recipe: cooking + community. Her group has gained new confidence in the kitchen while walking through the highs and lows of life together.

So many of you took important next steps and that is worth celebrating!

Next Steps

532

People Baptized

Baptism

Patrick’s Story

Discover how Patrick’s Baptism decision as an adult and his joining Rooted shifted his journey from solitude to a community-filled life, highlighting the transformative power of faith and the fact that doing life together is better.

Generosity

Generosity

Stories of Sacrificial Generosity

Ever wondered how a simple act of giving can transform lives? Check out our latest video, where real people share their heartwarming stories of generosity. From starting with what felt comfortable to experiencing those ‘wow’ moments when they saw their gifts make a real difference, their journeys are truly inspiring. They talk about the ups, the downs, and the incredible moments of faith in between. It’s all about making a leap, tithing with trust, and seeing firsthand how even the tiniest acts of kindness can spark big changes. Watch to find out some of the amazing things God does with our offerings.
1,332

First-time Givers

140

People helped through Dollar Club

$196K+

Given to Dollar Club

I had never fully accepted God into my life, but during a service, Pastor Shawn said living generously costs you something. I had $280 in my bank account, a $1500 mortagage, and a $600 truck payment due in two days, but I decided to set up an automatic tithe. The day after I did, I received two checks that more than covered what I owed. I cried because I felt Jesus delivered me when I put my faith in trust in Him.

—Recurring giver

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:35-40 ESV

Compassion
& Justice

$1,749,431

Raised through COH to give to local and global partners

Celebration of hope

Building Together

Because of you…

  • More than 1M total envelopes of seeds were packed, providing 200,000+ people with the ability to feed their families and generate income.
  • 8,300 people volunteered to pack seeds.
  • $1,402,038 was donated to the Celebration of Hope fund.

We thank God for the many ways he has shown up through all of us during Celebration of Hope to impact change in the world.

Seed Packing

1.08M+

envelopes of seeds distributed to our partners in Zambia & Malawi.

151M+

Pounds of produce from seed packs.

200K

Estimated number of people that will benefit from seed packs.

7,080

Global churches served

17,000

Global Refugees Served

(15,000 in Jordan and 2,000 through Ukraine We Care Centers)

Global teams

Stories from the field

God is moving around the world—and you can play a part! Global Serving Teams are an opportunity to witness God’s work, serve alongside our global partners fighting poverty and injustice in their communities, and build rich and meaningful relationships.

Local Compassion
& Justice

1,016

Homeless Individuals Served at our Community Resource Center

A man in our community lost his job in 2023 and eventually, this lead to him being homeless. He got connected to our church through the Crystal Lake Community Resource Day, where he received the services and support he needed. In August, he found a job and his case manager found an apartment that he was able to move into! But the date for the move in was after he would receive his first check from the new job. The Dollar Club was able to pay his first month of rent so that he could move in on time and not lose the apartment! 

34,000+

Care Center visits

3,765

First time Care Center guests

Care Center

Lenin’s Story

God is moving around the world—and you can play a part! Global Serving Teams are an opportunity to witness God’s work, serve alongside our global partners fighting poverty and injustice in their communities, and build rich and meaningful relationships.
2,866

Back Packs distributed
to kids in need.

$80,450

Value of school supplies donated to the Back to School Drive

323

car repairs for guests

$187,790

Dollar Club Funds Distributed to Community Members in Crisis

A single mom who attends Willow fell behind on their electricity bill when one of their children became sick for two months and needed extra care. The Dollar Club was able to help pay their past due electricity bill so that this mom didn’t have to worry about it. The family is now all caught up, and her child is now healthy and doing well!

55,670

Hope Packs distributed to inmates.

Hope Pack Story

Life after Prison

A man emailed the Care Center because he had learned about us because he received a Hope Pack while incarcerated. He was recently released from prison having served a 42-year sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. Once his conviction was overturned, he turned to Willow for help in getting acclimated. When he arrived, he was greeted by staff and volunteers, In addition to a food visit, he met with our Care Team, who were able to qualify him to be seen in the Dental Clinic, provide a scholarship to cover the cost of his appointment, schedule him for an inspection/repair for his vehicle, and provide him with a clothing scholarship, which he used to purchase clothing. He continued using the Care Center’s long-term services for employment support. This individual is one of many stories that demonstrates the impact of Hope Packs and the ways they connect people to Willow, changing the trajectory of someone’s circumstances and ultimately, we pray, their future.

Reaching Out

27

Community Events

5

School events

27

Kids enrolled in Pathways Learning Academy

3

Playgrounds for the community

18

Corporate events & lease partners

6

Conferences

7

Concerts at Willow locations

Invest in kingdom impact

2024 Year-End Fund

What if the unhoused had shelter; the unemployed had stability; cabinets were filled with healthy, recognizable foods; refugees were welcomed; and children had all they needed to succeed? We believe it can happen through the power of the local church. By giving the the 2024 Year-End Fund, you fuel our local Compassion & Justice ministry to bring tangible help and life-changing hope.

Learn more & give