Willow Creek Weekend Podcast

Acts 12 narrates the miraculous escape of Peter from prison, underscoring the transformative power of prayer amidst persecution. In a seemingly hopeless situation, the church came together in earnest prayer, and God responded by sending an angel to deliver Peter. Pastor Shawn Williams emphasizes that faith isn't about having all the answers but trusting in God's power to move—even when the...

Acts 10 marks a turning point in church history, as the Gospel breaks beyond Jerusalem to reach the Gentiles. God revealed to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Peter, through a vision, that the Gospel is for all, challenging Jewish purity laws. Peter’s bold decision to enter Cornelius’s home, defying Jewish customs, symbolized radical inclusion. The Holy Spirit falling on the Gentiles confirmed th...

Paul’s transformation is one of the most dramatic in Scripture. Once a fierce persecutor of Jesus’ followers, he was blinded on the road to Damascus, where Jesus called him by name and commissioned him to proclaim the Gospel. This moment marked not only his redemption but also his mission. Similarly, Ananias showed radical faith by welcoming Paul, proving that no one is beyond redemption. Pastor S...

The early church demonstrated radical generosity, sharing all they had to meet each other's needs, reflecting their faith in Jesus and God’s provision. Their giving came from love, not obligation, as they understood that following Jesus meant living with open hands and caring for one another. Pastor Shawn Williams challenges us to embrace this same generous heart, trusting that as Jesus gave every...

In Acts 2:42-47, the early church demonstrated a profound commitment to authentic community, as believers devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, and sharing meals together. Their unity and generosity were powerful reflections of God’s Kingdom, as they gave selflessly, meeting each other's needs. This passage reveals that true community demands vulnerability, sacrificial love, and a willin...

  Old habits die hard, and this truth is highlighted in Acts 1, where, even after spending forty days with the resurrected Jesus, the disciples still ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” This moment marks the birth of the church, and serves as a reminder that even today, followers of Jesus are called to embody its mission. To be His witnesses, we must first enc...

David Ashcraft, CEO of the Global Leadership Network, is a dynamic leader with a proven ability to transform lives. He grew Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC) Church from a small congregation into one of the largest in the Northeastern U.S. Now leading the Global Leadership Summit, the world’s largest leadership conference, David empowers pastors and leaders to drive lasting change in their communitie...

Television shows like The Brady Bunch, Friends, and This is Us show us the power of relationships to shape our happiness. While family relationships can be challenging, they also provide opportunities for growth as we navigate love, dependence, and autonomy. Pastor Megan Marshman explores Proverbs 21:21 and how leaning into God’s wisdom can help us nurture meaningful relationships and find true ha...

In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap, constantly measuring our lives against the highlight reels of others. But comparison steals our contentment, breeding envy that robs us of peace and joy. Over time, envy can distort our relationships and hurt our mental health. Proverbs 14:30 reminds us that “a heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the...

There was a time when phrases like "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "It is better to give than to receive" were widely understood, regardless of faith. Both, rooted in the teachings of Jesus, emphasized generosity—a principle we’ve lost sight of in today’s pursuit of happiness. Proverbs 11:24-25 reminds us that true happiness isn’t found in holding on to...

"I want to be happy, but ___." We’ve all faced moments when life's challenges—like difficult relationships, health struggles, or career setbacks—leave us longing for happiness. But true happiness doesn’t come from our circumstances. Proverbs 3:13-14 shows us that happiness is found in wisdom, far more valuable than material wealth. Wisdom helps us navigate life’s complexities and emp...

Have you ever tried talking about math with parents of elementary or middle school kids? You’ll likely hear things like, “It’s like a foreign language!” It’s funny, but also kind of frustrating. The truth is, math hasn’t really changed—one plus one is still two. Similarly, have we overcomplicated the Gospel? Pastor Shawn Williams and our creative team keep it simple and celebrate the Good News: Go...

It’s easy to get caught up in the culture of “Me, Myself, and I,” where self-help and self-care often take center stage. But for followers of Jesus, this self-centered mindset isn’t the answer—He calls us to humility and service. When we shift our focus from ourselves to others, using our gifts to serve and bless those around us, we live out the love of Jesus and reflect God’s heart of generosity....

Loneliness is something we all experience, but true hospitality—offering warmth and genuine presence—can help create a place of connection. When we create spaces like this, our church and community becomes a place where no one is left feeling alone, and real, meaningful relationships can flourish!

When you scroll through social media or watch the news, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the negativity and hate around you—whether it's the latest conflict, violence, or tragedy. It’s a reminder that our world is often shaped by personal feelings of powerlessness, mistreatment, or fear. But there’s hope! Pastor Dave Dummitt highlights Peter’s antidote to hate: the power of the resurrection, which c...

Dave Dummitt, Willow's Elders, and Shawn Williams share an update on our senior pastor transition. You can learn more at https://www.willowcreek.org/updates/

Imagine the moments leading up to the feeding of the 5,000. Why was the boy so close to Jesus with five loaves and two fish when no one else had food? In our own lives, we often face moments where we can choose to give what little we have, and watch God multiply it in miraculous ways. In this story from John 6:1-15, Pastor Shawn Williams explores the amazing story of the feeding of the 5,000 and h...

Stories help us make sense of the world around us. But in doing so, we often make assumptions—about people, situations, or circumstances—only to realize later that we were completely misguided. Pastor Dave Dummitt explores how hope gets curious, shatters assumptions, and breaks down barriers to restore what’s broken! The story of the blind man in John 9 challenges our misconceptions and shows how...

What was it like to be the leper in Matthew 8? How long had he suffered, isolated from others? What gave him the courage to approach Jesus? We explore the powerful story of the leper from Matthew 8:1-4 and Mark 1:40-45, where Jesus shows us that He is our source of hope—expressed in tangible, personal ways. Just as Jesus reached out to heal the leper, He brings us hope through compassion and tangi...

Life stages are inevitable as we age and make our way closer to eternity. We come into the world needing those around us to care for, nurture, lead, teach, and love us. As we near the end of life, we often find we need similar things: care, nurturing, guidance, and love as our minds and bodies decline. The full-circle nature of life is inevitable. Pastor Dave Dummitt teaches from Exodus 20:12, Mat...

Trad wives. Toxic masculinity. Fourth-wave feminism. The “manosphere.” Egalitarianism. Complementarianism. What do all these terms have in common? They represent ways to view or interpret what it means to be a woman or man. They have helped shape our culture both within and outside of the church. Pastors Megan Marshman and Shawn Williams unpack Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 2:15–22, and  Ephesians 5 to...

We all have multiple roles we play in life, whether that be a son or daughter, friend, parent, or spouse. From the moment we are born, expectations are placed on us that seep into the identities we take on. Sometimes, these identities fit, and other times, they feel like clothing three sizes too big—they weigh us down. We are products of our families, cultures, and environments—often, our circumst...

There are real and major conflicts constantly going on throughout the world. When the conflict feels far, it can feel overwhelming to the point of paralysis. How could I possibly help? We might also tune it out because, after all, it doesn’t affect our day-to-day lives. In this message, we look to 2 Samuel 19:9-15, where David builds a bridge with his enemies. When we see the reality of conflicts,...

You make choices that impact those around you every day. But what happens when the internal conflict you are dealing with hurts others? How do you deal with the conflict you have caused? Pastor Dave dives into 2 Samuel 12 and narrows in on a moment in King David’s life where he mismanaged things in a way that deeply and tragically impacted the lives of those around him. King David decided to take...

The earliest conflict between people in the Bible occurs between two brothers, Cain and Abel. All the way back in the beginning of humanity, rivalry and dissension were present—everything from sibling rivalry, failed marriages, broken friendships, arguments in the workplace, conflicts in neighborhoods, wars, and much more. Pastor Dave Dummitt uses 2 Samuel 6 to bring understanding to the cause of...