Claim OwnershipWillow Creek Weekend Podcast
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© Willow Creek Community Church
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Love God, love people, and change the world. We believe the life and lessons of Jesus aren’t just good advice, but are Good News for us here and now.
As a church, we are all about following Jesus and know there’s no end to that journey—we’re more about becoming than arriving.
We are committed to becoming a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multiplying movement of Christ followers, equipping and empowering our kids and students to not only be the church of tomorrow, but the church of today.
As a church, we are all about following Jesus and know there’s no end to that journey—we’re more about becoming than arriving.
We are committed to becoming a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multiplying movement of Christ followers, equipping and empowering our kids and students to not only be the church of tomorrow, but the church of today.
370 Episodes
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Worry often disguises itself as responsibility. What we call “planning” or “being realistic” is usually our attempt to control what only God can. Jesus teaches us something better—to release the burden of tomorrow and trust that our Father is already there, working all things together for our good. Jesus teaches us that when God’s Kingdom becomes our focus, anxiety loses all power. Today, seek His Kingdom. Know that the God who provides the world also provides for each of us.
What we treasure shapes who we become. Our treasures aren’t just money; they are the things we cling to for safety, identity, or joy. Whether it's success, relationships, or something else, Jesus calls us to put our hope in Him, allowing our treasure to be transformed into a tool for Kingdom living. When we put our identity in Jesus and depend on Him, we find peace in generosity rather than panic in scarcity. Pastor Shawn Williams teaches how we can loosen our grip on earthly things and cling to what truly lasts.
Prayer was never meant to be a task to check off—but an invitation into a holy relationship. It’s not meant to feel distant, scary, or overly formal. It isn’t about perfect words; it’s about honest presence. Jesus gave us a simple yet powerful framework for achieving intimacy with Him. The Lord’s Prayer helps center our hearts on God’s glory, and when we make time to pray, we experience His presence. In this message, we are encouraged to set aside our fears, dive in, and pray.
We’ve all put on a show at some point, failing to practice what we preach. The essential practices Jesus teaches in Matthew 6—generosity, prayer, and fasting—are not intended to impress others but to transform our own hearts. When we seek to please God instead of other people, our “reward” might not come as applause, but as His presence. Pastor Shawn Williams explains that integrity isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about purity of heart.
Senior Pastor Shawn Williams interviews former NFL All-Pro running back, philanthropist, and Chicago Bears great Matt Forté about his life, career, and purpose.
Many people think in simple opposites—fight back or back down—but Jesus’ teachings on love offer a powerful third way: loving your enemies. This radical love isn’t weakness; it’s a courageous choice to break the cycle of hate through forgiveness and honoring everyone’s dignity. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Pastor Thomas Anderson Jr. unpacks Jesus’ call to respond with courageous love—an invitation that leads to genuine peace, lasting freedom, and deep spiritual transformation.
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:27–37), Jesus teaches about lust and divorce to help us understand how to honor others and keep marriage strong. He speaks against casual divorce and seeing people as objects, reminding us that marriage is about love, respect, and faithfulness. Jesus encourages us to choose healing and restoration, not just in marriage but in all relationships. Pastor Shawn Williams welcomes you to explore these important biblical teachings and discover how God’s love can transform our lives and communities.
When Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law, not abolish it, He revealed that God cares not just about outward actions but about the heart. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus teaches that anger—whether explosive or silent—can be as harmful as murder, destroying relationships, reputations, and the image of God in others. His call to reconciliation isn’t weakness; it’s a bold invitation to choose love over bitterness and peace over pride. Pastor Shawn Williams explores Jesus’ teaching on anger and how, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can break free from resentment, pursue healing, and live a transformed life rooted in grace.
Jesus’ call to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” wasn’t just for spiritual elites—it was a radical, communal invitation to ordinary people. In a time of increasing loneliness, isolation, and individualism, this teaching from the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that faith is meant to be lived out together, not alone. Salt preserves and enhances, but only when it’s used. Light exposes and guides, but only when it shines. In this message, Dr. Megan Marshman explores how living on mission with Jesus means stepping out of comfort zones, forming Christ-centered community, and impacting the world with hope, love, and truth.
When Jesus opened the Sermon on the Mount with the words “Blessed are…,” He wasn’t just offering inspirational quotes for wall art. These powerful statements, known as the Beatitudes, were spoken to people living under Roman occupation—people whose lives looked anything but “blessed” by worldly standards. Yet, through these words, Jesus extended a bold invitation to a radically different way of life: one that honors the values of God’s Kingdom, not the world’s. In this message, Pastor Shawn Williams unpacks the meaning behind Jesus’ Beatitudes and explores how this call to countercultural, Kingdom-centered living still challenges and shapes the Church today.
What should we do when God calls us to radical obedience, especially when it disrupts our comfort, plans, or public image? In this powerful message, we explore the story of Joseph and his courageous choice to trust God despite fear, uncertainty, and cultural expectations. His example challenges us to choose faith over fear and obedience over convenience, even when the cost is high. Like Joseph, we’re invited to become part of something far greater than ourselves.
What does it mean to be chosen by grace? Dr. Megan Marshman explains Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel—a life-changing moment that reveals the power of God’s unearned favor. Though Mary was seemingly ordinary, she was called “highly favored” and invited to experience the impossible. This teaching highlights that grace isn’t something we achieve; it’s a divine invitation to trust God beyond our limitations. Like Mary, we’re called to surrender fully, embrace our God-given identity, and step into a greater purpose through faith.
Waiting can feel never-ending—whether you're longing for healing, a new job, a child, or the fulfillment of a dream. Pastor Shawn Williams reflects on the biblical story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who carried unanswered prayers for decades. Just when hope seemed lost, God responded at the perfect time—showing that His silence doesn't mean He's absent, but that He's preparing something greater. If you're in a season of waiting, this message will strengthen your faith and remind you that God hears every prayer.
Many people believe forgiveness must lead to reconciliation, but those who hurt us can’t always heal us. Colossians 3:12–14 urges us to forgive as the Lord forgave us, making forgiveness a necessary path to healing—not optional. Forgiveness is an ongoing act of obedience that sets us free, while reconciliation requires both parties to rebuild trust and repair the relationship. Scripture shows this distinction: Esau forgave Jacob but did not reconcile closely, while Joseph fully restored his relationship with his brothers. Megan Marshman walks through the stages of forgiveness, how to discern when to seek reconciliation, and the difference between the two.
Forgiving small offenses like being cut off in traffic or a missed birthday can be tough, but what happens when the offense is much bigger? This weekend, we welcome Chris Baker, a tattoo artist from Oswego, Illinois, who founded INK 180, a nonprofit offering free tattoo work to former gang members and victims of human trafficking as a second chance. Chris grew up around gangs in Los Angeles and experienced deep loss, including holding his best friend as he died from a shooting. Years later, God brought Chris back to Los Angeles with an incredible opportunity to walk the path of true forgiveness. His story will show us just how powerful and supernatural forgiveness can be.
Emotional wounds are like paper cuts—easy to ignore until something triggers the pain, revealing hurt that still lingers. We often believe time or distance will heal us, but true healing comes only through forgiveness. The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21–35 shows how withholding forgiveness traps us in bitterness, while Ephesians 4:31–32 calls us to forgive as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness isn’t about what others deserve but about living in the freedom we’ve received. In this message, we reflect on how forgiveness doesn’t erase the hurt, but it releases its hold, making space for healing, peace, and freedom.
In this message, Pastor Shawn Williams invites us to lean into Joshua’s bold declaration: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” It’s a call to remember God’s faithfulness and make a fresh, wholehearted commitment—whether you’re just starting out in faith or have followed Jesus for decades. As a church, we’re stepping into the future with confidence, ready to raise up the next generation of leaders who will live with courage, purpose, and bold belief. Now is our moment to say together: we will serve the Lord!
In ancient Israel, cities of refuge reflected God’s heart for justice and mercy—places of safety, restoration, and a second chance. Today, the church is called to embody that same spirit, creating spaces where grace meets brokenness and hope takes root. As we step into a new season, Willow is boldly committed to being a refuge of radical compassion, offering holistic care and spiritual support that breaks cycles of hardship and restores lives across Chicagoland. This is our calling—and our moment to live it out.
Joshua’s bold “sun, stand still” prayer wasn’t rooted in perfect understanding, but in a life shaped by God’s presence and steady spiritual formation. Even in the face of fear and uncertainty, he trusted that God could do the impossible—and God did. That’s the kind of faith we’re called to today: one that grows through daily trust, deep surrender, and ongoing transformation. As we step into a new season, Willow is committed to becoming a church marked by bold faith and lives deeply rooted in God’s presence.
Pastor Shawn Williams reminds us that the fall of Jericho wasn’t won by might, but by surrender and obedience to God. The victory was already declared—God simply called His people to walk in faith and trust Him to bring it to pass. Today, we face walls of doubt, fear, and resistance, but like Jericho, they can fall when we move forward in faith. As a church, we’re stepping into God’s mission with a bold vision and surrendered hearts, ready to see lives transformed and the future shaped by His power!
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Standing in my apartment bathroom sobbing my eyes out The gift of encouragement had left the building. Then God spoke to me (loudly) through Albert Tate. It ain't over till it's over. Thank you Jesus for podcasts.