Willow Creek is amazing. I’m learning so much as a student; how to lead better, how to trust God more, and how to share my faith in a more comfortable way. My favorite speaker so far is Donald Miller. He challenged us to know our story and how to share it with others. I love the fact that we got a change to write our story. I wasn’t sure about it at first, and I didn’t really want to write anything. Then I realized that I needed to write something. So, I started to write and you should see my paper. It’s full! It’s just cool how God works in such different ways. I’m very excited for the rest of the trip, because I know God is still going to keep working in me through this trip. –Mindy Gissal

I truly liked what Don Miller had to say about evangelism and he was right on that in our own communities we have no problem talking about God, but put us in public, and we freeze up. I also like the verse that said, “Study thoughtfully, but write boldly.” We must be willing to declare to the world God’s love, but first we must learn so we can prove we know what we’re talking about. Darren Whitehead also had a good analogy in that we need to be less like travel agents trying to sell people on something we ourselves have never experienced and more like tour guides and leading people by showing the love we have for the way we live. The other thing that really hit me was when Don Miller was talking about how everyone wants to be part of a great story. At one point he mentioned how every good story has a rescuer or a redeemer. I think all to often I try to do things myself and even though I’m sinking I won’t ask God to rescue me. Good stories aren’t about people who save themselves, but about people who get rescued and I have to remember that it’s okay to admit when I’m overwhelmed and turn to God.
- Kelli Sexton

We need to shift and be flexible to the changing culture to keep reaching our kids. We can’t stay the same. We can’t place limits on what this will look like. My agenda is not important I need to go with the flow. I also learned that story is the dominate way to the heart. There are 3 warning signs of what distracts us as leaders. 1. Your heart is becoming prideful -we need to lead with humility. 2. You are no longer teachable - we need to have an increasing desire to have the scriptures in my heart and on my tongue, how can students put in to practice what they have not seen up close. 3. You are losing home-field advantage- don’t let it distract from our families. – Joan Osterhouse

What impacted me today were Donald Miller’s words “God’s way of communicating with us is through stories.” If we want people to know God’s truth and his story – we must first get to know their story. To walk along side them, building trust in order to help them see they can live out a different story- that they were born for this wonderfully special role God intended just for them. Wow – how loving and healing.
- Tami Parke

Amazing musical performances at the beginning of each new session. Great use of videos to introduce related topics. The speaker were fantastic. They stayed on topic and really got their points across. The staff at Willow Creek really do an outstanding job of welcoming and serving their conference attendees. Lunch was served very efficiently. Staff members were basically around every corner to assist you with any questions you might have. The facility itself is awe inspiring. Lastly, I loved the evening worship service. The 2 gentlemen on stage had and amazing discussion about real life issues. We all need to work on our end of relationships. – Rene Everts