Podcast appearances and mentions of Willow Creek

Send us a text and chime in!The City of Prescott Recreation Services Department invites the community to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at Willow Creek Park on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. to celebrate recent improvements completed at the park. The event will recognize several projects designed to enhance the park experience for residents and visitors while supporting the long-term maintenance of one of Prescott's community spaces. Recent improvements include renovations to the dog park, featuring replacement turf, dedicated water stations, and new misters to improve comfort and usability for both residents and their four-legged family members. Updates were also completed at the park's...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/willow-creek-park-improvements-in-prescott/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Send us Fan MailThis episode we look at found footage films with WILLOW CREEK from 2013 and INCANTATION from 2022.In Mom & Mac chat we talk about the power of narrative TV, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and tough old guys, the loss of a running coach, dog loss, and still learning how to interact with people appropriately.WILLOW CREEK (from IMDB): A man and his girlfriend camp in the woods to capture firsthand evidence of Bigfoot.INCANTATION (from IMDb): Six years ago, Li Ronan was cursed after breaking a religious taboo. Now, she must protect her daughter from the consequences of her actions.*The movie I was referring to is called BACKCOUNTRY, not "Black Mountain". We covered this film in Episode 78 Gerry Entriken: WoHo Outro ThemeSupport the showOpening Theme "Bucket" by Gerry EntrikenClosing Theme "Mop" by Gerry Entriken Interstitial Musicalso by Gerry Entriken. We love you, Gerry!Subscribe to the Podcast for a Special shout-out!World of Horror's InstagramMom's InstagramMac's InstagramDonate to Translifeline

Send us Fan MailThis episode we talk about what Daniel from The Cobwebs Channel calls "Weird Horror" films. We had a look at THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM from England, and TOGETHER from the US.We have a nice ramble about Mother's Day, mothers in general, mothers in specific, Ari Aster films, bad dads, bad therapists, work, and prejudice in the UK.Next time we will be watching the Found Footage films INCANTATION from Taiwan and WILLOW CREEK from the US.Thank you for all your support! It means the World of Horror™ to us, truly! Gerry Entriken: WoHo Outro ThemeSupport the showOpening Theme "Bucket" by Gerry EntrikenClosing Theme "Mop" by Gerry Entriken Interstitial Musicalso by Gerry Entriken. We love you, Gerry!Subscribe to the Podcast for a Special shout-out!World of Horror's InstagramMom's InstagramMac's InstagramDonate to Translifeline

Former BYU horsebeast Carson Lundell medals at the US Open qualifier at Willow Creek by two of four players at T2, all of whom mover on to the Longest Day of Golf second stage qualifier in June. Lundell joins the pod. Sponsored by Goldenwest Credit Union. 

Send us a text and chime in!Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center employees are pitching in to make their community a more beautiful place. A group of YRMC volunteers spent a Saturday morning in April participating in the annual Granite Creek Cleanup in Prescott. Led by YRMC's Community Health Advocacy, Mobility, and Planning Committee (C.H.A.M.P.), 63 employees, along with their families and friends, volunteered to clear out garbage and discarded items from a stretch of Willow Creek. “Our employees are dedicated to the health of this incredible place we call home, not only in our service to its people, but through active participation in preserving and...   For the written story, read here >> https://www.signalsaz.com/articles/granite-creek-cleanup-removes-2640-pounds-of-trash/ Check out the CAST11.com Website at: https://CAST11.com Follow the CAST11 Podcast Network on Facebook at: https://Facebook.com/CAST11AZFollow Cast11 Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/cast11_podcast_network

Laura Barringer Sadly, we've recognized over the past decade or so that healthy churches for women are not as prevalent as we'd like to believe. Too often such churches have abused, dismissed and devalued women who have much to give them. In this episode, Laura Barringer, co-author of The Church of Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing, joins Dr. Kelley Mathews to discuss what healthy churches for women looks like and how to spot them. Recommended resources A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer. Recognizing Rape Culture podcast episode Caring for Women Who Struggle with Porn podcast episode Sexual Abuse in the Church podcast episode BOW's episodes on Caring Well and Church Issues This episode is available on video as well. Timestamps: 00:21 Introduction of Laura Barringer and A Church called TOV, the book she wrote with her father, Dr. Scot McNight. 02:03 Why did you partner with your father on this book? 05:39 What is tov? 08:32 How do we discern that a church is good, not toxic, for women in particular? 12:10 Elements of tov culture: compassion & empathy 18:14 What would you suggest churches do in order to value and see women? 20:21 How can a leader help her church culture avoid sexual abuse or trauma in the church? 27:02 It's much more than simply including women. 30:38 Other resources TranscriptKelley >> Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Women Ministries. I am Kelley Mathews and I am here today with Laura Barringer. She is the coauthor with her father, Scott McKnight, of several books. But today we're going to talk about tov, A Church Called Tov. I'm going to give it a little bit of publicity right here. So welcome, Laura. Thank you for taking your time with us today. Laura >> Thank you for having me. It's an honor to be with you. I'm grateful to be here and to meet you and hear a little bit more, too, about your ministry for women. Kelley >> Oh, yes. This is you'll hear more about it as we go along. But we do a lot of these interviews, really, and just provide resources for support. I would say primarily women leaders in the church. But obviously when they're online, anybody can access them. So we will hopefully add this resource for looking at churches and what they can do and why they can do—make take real, tangible steps towards being safe and healthy churches, particularly for women. And so both of your books, the other one is called Pivot, but where and that's a newer one, but we're going to stick with the older one. And it was very foundational, I think, to the conversation over the last, what, seven, eight years, maybe? I forgot exactly when it came out. Laura >> 2020. The fall of 2020. Kelley >> Only five. Oh, wow. OK. Laura >> Yeah. Kelley >> Yeah. Well, that's you know, Covid does a lot to make time disappear, I think. Laura >> It makes everything it makes everything fuzzy. Kelley >> Oh, goodness. Well, why did you partner with your father? I mean, we if anyone doesn't know Dr. McKnight is a New Testament scholar and writer and professor. And why did you guys partner up to write this book? Laura >> I wanted him to write the book. So that was the original plan. The book started as a personal story for us. In 2018, in March of 2018, a story broke up here. I live just outside of Chicago. The Chicago Tribune is the major newspaper here in the city. And it was a story about our former church, Willow Creek, our former pastor, Bill Hybels. It was a story about accusations, sexual accusations made against him by a number of women, most of whom somebody in our family knew. And it was a very disorienting, I speak of it now, but at the time it was very disorienting. It was disorienting because the church was saying the women were lying and the women were saying the church was lying.

Most churches have spent the last sixty years trying to lower the cultural barriers to Christianity. Clean car parks. Professional music. Seeker-sensitive services. The logic made sense at the time. But has making church more like the world actually worked and is it still the right strategy?Joel and Stu work through the tension between institutional and organic church structures, unpack the history of the attractional church model from Donald McGavran to Willow Creek, and explain why Soul Revival has deliberately gone the other direction — building a countercultural, intergenerational Yellow Submarine that goes beneath the surface of daily life.They also answer two great listener questions from Julie about Bonhoeffer's friendship circles: whether they include non-Christians, and how kids and youth factor into church numbers.Timestamps00:00 Sharks gear, Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley and tribal fan culture05:30 The AGM and the juxtaposition of formal polity in a time of crisis08:30 Organic vs institutional structures: what's the difference and why it matters15:00 The attractional church model — McGavran, Willow Creek and the homogeneous unit principle22:00 The Yellow Submarine: Soul Revival's countercultural intergenerational alternative29:00 How Soul Revival's governance actually works43:30 Listener questions from Julie: Bonhoeffer's friendship circles and non-Christians51:30 At what stage do kids and youth count in your numbers?54:00 The Blitz, the fuel crisis and the Christian response to economic pressureDiscussed on this episodeStu Crawshaw - The Yellow SubmarineSkip Bell — What is Wrong with the Homogeneous Unit Principle?Karina Koremsky — The Fallacy of the Homogeneous Unit PrincipleBill Hybels — Becoming a Contagious ChristianMark Senter — The Four Views of Youth MinistryKendra Creasy Dean — Practicing PassionDonald McGavran — homogeneous unit principle overviewJump in at shockabsorber.com.au — and send your thoughts to joel@shockabsorber.com.au

Rob and Vinnie continue their series on Church Health…and sometimes the lackthereof.    In this replay episode (July 2021), they bring on special guests Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer to discuss their book, A Church Called Tov.    Tragically, in recent years, Christians have gotten used to revelations of abuses of many kinds in our most respected churches…Respected author and theologian Scot McKnight and former Willow Creek member Laura Barringer wrote this book to paint a pathway forward for the church.   We need a better way. The sad truth is that churches of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to abuses of power, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. Abuses occur most frequently when Christians neglect to create a culture that resists abuse and promotes healing, safety, and spiritual growth.   How do we keep these devastating events from repeating themselves? We need a map to get us from where we are today to where we ought to be as the body of Christ. That map is in a mysterious and beautiful little Hebrew word in Scripture that we translate “good,” the word tov.   In this book, McKnight and Barringer explore the concept of tov―unpacking its richness and how it can help Christians and churches rise up to fulfill their true calling as imitators of Jesus. This is part of a multi-episode conversation where we talk about cultivating a healthy church environment and how to understand church hurt and church abuse.    Check us out: https://www.determinetruth.com/ Great Resources on the topic of Creating Healthy Churches   Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? (Timothy Keller) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PQ9DSHF/?bestFormat=true&k=forgive%20time%20keller&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-v2_k0_1_12_de&crid=1XUHTNIDQ6OST&sprefix=forgive%20time A Church Called Tov (Scot McKnight) https://www.amazon.com/Church-Called-Tov-Goodness-Promotes/dp/1496446003/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4lBAQzf3oJglpTj_7R8NbAeOg0H2oH4CTgx81Cm9okZZVtD9VFcS1uSUfVV2EQm5KZL1himBpHsyFB4D_Gifo4cf1QusTB-POg2TVGG7LdGmQvQa0IB928VE-Lzebn0QaYbWTVGVFLpXeUIBI_xAwisMWdvmpzjWJxaEPeX_KDzkLcEidFqxV9x2KN137nu9_VqW_lpT5_tSt6oq8-Jdy9yqaU0SHRxzumNuhx47RWQ.FqeuaDuA2RxUSi8NLD1Eu9aVNCvxijZDHQxchJMDJm0&qid=1772398542&sr=8-1 Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse--and Freeing Yourself from Its Power (Wade Mullens) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496444701/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=DfllH&content-id=amzn1.sym.476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_p=476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_r=0KK0SC6CEWNJ2Q64975X&pd_rd_wg=GCNhP&pd_rd_r=79c691b9-0dac-456b-bda2-afdb8d5268e5 When Narcissism Comes to Church (Chuck DeGroat) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514005093/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=zdSwU&content-id=amzn1.sym.476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_p=476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_r=WKKWWGSF6Y2GYRHQ8926&pd_rd_wg=mFZQA&pd_rd_r=a6182de3-e16f-4416-9ef7-e30aa5043369 When the Church Harms God's People (Diane Langberg) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1587436450/ref=mes-dp?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=uVPPK&content-id=amzn1.sym.476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_p=476b1b7d-c787-4147-8a3c-fdef209103a1&pf_rd_r=CAM1FBFN0J7Y0RS0HF0V&pd_rd_wg=KaJ0d&pd_rd_r=a0246e35-7d3f-4feb-89db-facae6fa4a8a The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen) https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Power-Spiritual-Abuse-Manipulation/dp/0764201379/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gamBi63TclRIVPBxTv-pRuqjLaCH6zHxJg7mfafeeNQBvHmjWjEtqqHFSIN_1Lj7VWyTfWk3PpybZzNXngB61PQXnxSnfqwfEiGYLvolpnFi8EasbYpnJqtfKUbkk1ARz_KF4VVFTdbEaBTGSwwcfvaeU3_MIi3li7ZZ6--eqBOXWaM4f-sakjMeasOH23AhwB4GO4BQg8ffW7LrDWqxeqz_wcKGtWdyDGGWo8G8ixw.QTPRygGaPdlSZ2GR8GtEyG3rlxVNoI9q-tRr0tjybsI&qid=1773085465&sr=1-1 FOLLOW THE PODCAST Subscribe to be notified of our new episodes (each Monday).  Want to help us expand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Leave a review, “like” the podcast, or share it with others.   CONNECT WITH DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES The Determinetruth Podcast is a ministry of Determinetruth Ministries. We offer free resources to equip pastors, leaders, and the body of Christ in the US and worldwide for service in the kingdom of God. You can visit us online at https://www.determinetruth.com   SUPPORT DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES Determinetruth is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and relies completely on the financial support of our partners around the world.  Please consider partnering with us and making a tax-deductible donation https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/3648601   Want a FREE CHAPTER from Rob's latest book? Sign up for email updates from Determinetruth.   https://mailchi.mp/5672d33f2b95/dt-podcast Music: “Love is Against the Grain” (Dime Store Prophets) #megachuch #churchgrowth #churchhurt #abuse #trauma #deconstruction #exvangelical #thechurch #ecclesiology #Fellowship #Mutual encouragement #Service #Corporateworship #pastors #authority #housechurch 

Photo: The microgrid at Blue Lake Rancheria generates renewable energy and provides about $150,000 in annual electricity savings. (Courtesy Schatz Energy Resource Center) Microgrids can be a lifeline in remote areas prone to power outages, according to local and tribal leaders in Humboldt County in California. Leaders spoke at an event on energy security in an era of wildfire, drought, and sea-level rise — linked to climate change. Suzanne Potter has more. Dr. Arne Jacobson, director of the Schatz Energy Research Center at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt says microgrids often involve solar panels plus battery storage. “During normal operation, they’re connected to the regional grid, and they can export power and generate revenue. And during a regional grid outage, they operate in “island mode” and can provide resilience energy services.” Microgrids have gained popularity in recent years as utilities have had to shut off power intermittently during wildfires and high wind events. Jacobson adds that the Willow Creek and Hoopa substations and their associated circuits in the Humboldt area are frequently on the top 10 list of least reliable circuits in the state. Beth Burks, who directs the Redwood Coastal Energy Authority, says its microgrid serves as backup power to the airport, and kept it online for 15 hours in December 2022, when an earthquake knocked out power. “We’re all familiar with how important it is to keep the airport going. We do emergency medical transport out of there, and the Coast Guard serves 250 miles of search-and-rescue territory. And again, we can keep them going when we go into ‘islanding.'” “Islanding” is the term for a system that can kick in and power a local area when the main utility grid goes down. Heidi Moore-Guynup with the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe says its microgrid saved the day during the 2022 blackout, keeping several tribal buildings running so they could provide ice, gas, medical care, and lodging. “We want to be known as the safe place to go, the islands in times of despair. We are a very small rural community, but we are engaged in technological advances that can help rural global energy access.” Ketchikan-based artist Savannah LeCornu was selected as this year's poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau, Alaska. (Courtesy Jason Baldwin) Ketchikan, Alaska-based artist Savannah LeCornu was recently selected as this year's poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau. The annual spring event seeks art submissions from Alaska creatives for festival merchandise, including its promotional poster. KRBD's Hunter Morrison sat down with LeCornu to discuss how the opportunity will help expand representation of Indigenous artists throughout Alaska. Hunter Morrison: Can you tell me a little bit about what inspires your work as an artist? Savannah LeCornu: I'm an Indigenous artist. I’m part of three different tribes. I’m Tsimshian, Haida and Nez Perce. So a lot of my inspiration comes from the art styles of my tribes, as well as my family, surroundings, environment, friends, that kind of thing. HM: Can you tell me a little bit more about what mediums of art you specialize in? SL: Yeah. So mainly I draw and I paint. I do a lot of traditional drawing, but I also do digital drawing as well. So, working with Procreate on my iPad. And then I also do painting, mainly acrylic, but I have done watercolor here and there. HM: You were selected as this year’s poster artist for the Alaska Folk Festival. Do you have a design yet for that poster? Or, do you have ideas of what that design might look like? SL: I don’t know how secret they are with it. I will say my inspirations were some of my favorite musicians in Alaska, as well as the northern lights. HM: How will this opportunity expand not only your work as an artist, but expand the celebration of Indigenous people and Indigenous art? SL: Wow, what a great question. What I’m hoping for with being the artist for this year’s folk fest is that my art gets started to be seen more widely throughout Alaska. I will say it’s not my most obvious Indigenous design. I will say all of my art inherently becomes Indigenous because I am Indigenous, but at the same time, there’s no form line in it. There’s no traditional Native art in it for this design. But I still hope that means that people look into my own art and see more of what I do, and that people just explore more of it. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, March 26, 2026 — Native Bookshelf: Unsettling Territory and Sons of Gunshooter

Panning for Gold in Bigfoot CountryA lifelong outdoorsman from a Texas cattle-ranch background (former pro rodeo rider, music teacher, avid camper, fisherman, hiker, and fossil/rock collector) recounts two eerie, unexplained experiences that ultimately convinced him Bigfoot is real. While renting a remote 26-acre cabin outside Kerrville, Texas, he regularly fed local wildlife. For several nights he heard loud slapping/banging on the cabin walls; one night the impact was so violent it shook pictures on the wall beside his bed. His dogs were terrified. A trail camera later captured a large, shadowy face peering through the brush exactly where the noises occurred. Around the same time, a reported Bigfoot sighting happened just eight miles away. After moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, he had a similar feeling of being watched while alone with his dogs on the remote Holy Ghost Trail (an area locals call haunted); the dogs bolted back to the Jeep in fear. In March 2021, during a solo gold-panning trip to Willow Creek in the Santa Fe National Forest, he discovered a set of enormous fresh footprints paralleling the creek—16 inches long, 5 inches wide, with a 4.5-foot stride. His dogs froze, staring into the brush; he felt intensely watched. He measured and photographed the prints (with his foot for scale) before racing back to his truck. Subsequent research revealed dozens of Bigfoot reports in both the Texas Hill Country and northern New Mexico locations where he had lived and hiked, including one near his old cabin on the exact night of the slapping incident. A hunter had also gone missing in the Willow Creek area, later featured on a TV show. Now living on the Texas coast (where sightings are also reported), he remains an enthusiastic outdoorsman but never hikes or camps without a firearm and keeps a close eye on his dogs. Though he never had a clear visual (Class A) sighting, the cumulative evidence has made Bigfoot “always on his radar.”Join my Supporters Club for $4.99 per month for exclusive stories:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-if-it-s-true-podcast--5445587/support

Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Here are the podcast notes: Churchfront Podcast — Erwin McManus Lead Pastor, Mosaic Church (Los Angeles) | Author, The Seven Frequencies of Communication Guest background: Erwin McManus has led Mosaic in LA for 35 years, building a congregation averaging in its twenties across 40+ nationalities. He's also an author, speaker, and has been a longtime participant in the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek. Key Topics What holds church leaders back The most common internal limitation isn't skill or resources — it's the lack of felt permission. Pastors are often communal and loyal by nature, which also makes them dependent on someone saying "it's okay to go for it." The church culture tends to withhold permission rather than grant it. This is a big reason conferences are so magnetic — they're not primarily about information, they're about permission receiving. People go to be in a room where they feel free to dream, risk, and believe. Erwin said a large part of his life's work has been giving people permission: to dream big, to risk, to try low-percentage ideas, and to fail without that defining their worth. Giving permission downward in the org chart Leaders often receive permission at a conference and then come back and tell their team what to do — which is not the same as giving permission. True permission-giving means creating space for people to grow, develop, dream, and execute in their own way. Key principle: hold tight to where you're going, hold loosely to how you get there. Someone can execute at a high level and still do it differently than you would — and that's okay. "It's All About People" vs. "You Can't Take Everyone With You" (from Mind Shift)McManus intentionally places these as Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 as a juxtaposition. Most leaders lean hard toward one and neglect the other. His advice: read both, figure out which one resonates more, then go apply the other one. That tension is where relational elegance lives. When people leave, they attack your character At Mosaic, after major style and culture shifts, the people who left rarely said "I don't like the music." They attacked Erwin's character because it made them the hero of their story. He found the exceptions refreshing — the people who were honest ("the church is too young," "too diverse," "too evangelistic") made it easy to respond. His approach: when you bring clarity as a leader, you're giving people the gift of choice. If they hate who you are now, they're going to really hate who you're becoming — so this is actually a good time to part ways. "If you're everything, you're nothing." The white interior at Mosaic Hollywood During the 18-month pandemic shutdown, Aaron McManus pitched painting everything white — stage, speakers, walls. No precedent existed for it. The idea was: when people come back, we don't want them having a nostalgicexperience — we want them going forward. The white space became a blank canvas for projection and lighting in every direction. It's now been widely imitated. (They did the same thing at their current Pasadena theater space, which was the longtime home of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.) The Seven Frequencies of Communication The seven frequencies are a framework for understanding how people communicate and how they're heard — not just outwardly but internally, since your inner voice shapes the health of your soul. The frequencies: Commander, Challenger, Healer, Motivator, Professor, Seer, Maven. This isn't a static identity — it's a dynamic range you can access. The goal is mastery over your frequencies, not just defaulting to your primary one. Every frequency also has a shadow — the dark version of the same trait. Commander → Dictator. Seer → Perfectionist. Challenger → Manipulator. Motivator → Performer. We tend to access our shadows with zero effort and have to work to access the authentic frequency. That's true of all positive human characteristics: courage, forgiveness, integrity all require work. Their negative counterparts (fear, bitterness, dishonesty) require nothing. Practical example: Erwin's wife Kim is a Commander. 42 years of "turn off the lights and lock the doors" instead of "I love you." He learned to translate that as I love you, keep me safe. His daughter Mariah is a Challenger — she's always trying to elevate him, but it reads as reprimand. Understanding the frequency means getting offended less. Hire for character, not for frequency When Jake asked whether leaders need Commander or Challenger to run a department, Erwin's answer was simple: if the character is right, the frequency will work itself out. A high-Motivator leader who doesn't have Commander will still make people want to achieve for them — and the team will learn to push for clarity on execution. Environmental health matters more than frequency profile. Commanders and competency Commanders have competency as a core value. If you move a Commander into a new role without giving them enough context, resources, and framing, they won't feel like they're being trusted — they'll feel like they're being set up to fail. The key: make sure they feel equipped, not just trusted. "He just wants to make sure he has enough swords." Seers in leadership Many megachurch pastors are Commander-Seer combinations. The risk for Seers is confusing movement with momentum — pivoting sideways to get around an obstacle, while the team thinks the direction has changed entirely. The Seer knows they're still heading north; they forgot to communicate why they went east first. Solution from their team's side: instead of assuming the vision changed, ask "this feels like a direction change — is this a strategic move to get there faster? Help me communicate it well." Churchfront "Captive Consultant" segment Erwin's advice for Churchfront: since they're committed to serving churches exclusively, look for where churches are growing fastest — new residential development, emerging demographics — and think about what a scalable package looks like for smaller churches. The message is too important not to be heard clearly, which makes sound and AV integration genuinely mission-critical work. He also noted that once a building is built, the acoustic future is largely set — making early architectural involvement from integrators essential. Book/Resource mentioned: The Seven Frequencies of Communication — includes an assessment on their website.  Also mentioned: Mind Shift by Erwin McManus.

The 1986 shooting of 16-year-old twin sisters Jill and Julie Hansen stunned the small town of Willow Creek, California. The investigation into who shot the girls and set fire to the Hansen family home is marked by twists and turns, with evidence ultimately pointing back to a suspect close to the family. Did tunnel vision cause investigators to overlook critical pieces of evidence? Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit:  https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-jill-and-julie-hansen/Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub/ to view the current membership options and policies.Don't miss out on all things Crime Junkie!Instagram: @crimejunkiepodcast | @audiochuckTwitter: @CrimeJunkiePod | @audiochuckTikTok: @crimejunkiepodcastFacebook: /CrimeJunkiePodcast | /audiochuckllcCrime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. Instagram: @ashleyflowers | @britprawatTwitter: @Ash_Flowers | @britprawatTikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkieFacebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When hiring a new church tech director, should you look for the person with the most technical knowledge or the best leadership potential? And if you are currently in the role, which skill set should you be developing first?In this episode, we are joined by Max Brown (formerly of Willow Creek Church) to tackle the age-old debate of Competence vs. Character. Max shares his experience running production at one of the most influential churches in the country, revealing the reality of their team size and workflows.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Blake's Beach Blunder4:45 Max Brown (Former Willow Creek) Joins9:00 Principles of Leading Church Production13:00 Debate: Developing Leadership vs. Technical Skills22:00 Hiring Strategy: Character vs. Competence?28:30 Inside Production at Willow Creek Church32:20 Can You Run a Sunday Service with Just Tracks?34:45 Willow Creek's Production Team Size46:20 Is Church Production an Art or a Science?51:30 Tech TakeawayGet Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

The Filthy Spoon Podcast episode covers sponsor shoutouts (Willow Creek, Shannon Kelly, Tule Creek Hunting Outfitters, Snook Family Sporting Dogs, Duck Chugger and more), a season recap and the launch of the Filthy Spoon Co-OP  Jon and Robert discuss blind teardown, high water and hunting conditions, upcoming events including the Sacramento SCI banquet (use code SPOON2026), gear talk, dog training/boarding, and plans for next season.

Willow Creek – warum das für mich wichtig ist Wir sind gestern von Willow Creek zurückgekommen. Willow Creek ist ein Kongress ähm bei dem es um Leiterschaft geht. Und 2014 habe ich gestern mal nachgeschaut, war mein allererster Willow Cree Kongress damals in Leipzig und ich habe mich gestern auf der Rückfahrt so ein bisschen gefragt, warum ist Willow für mich so wichtig geworden? Als ich 2014 das erste Mal dabei war, da war ich gerade so einen Jahr lang […]

A late-night drive through Northern California leads into something unforgettable.In this episode of Bigfoot Society, a retired California Department of Corrections employee describes what happened while traveling Highway 199 through Del Norte County, near the Smith River corridor, just south of the Oregon border. The road winds through steep canyon walls and tight curves, a place where visibility is limited and the forest feels close on all sides.The witness recalls observing a large upright figure moving along the roadside, with enough time to notice how it walked, how it carried itself, and how it filled the space around it. The encounter stayed with him, and over the years he began recognizing how often the same stretch of road appears in other reports.The episode expands outward into surrounding regions, including Bluff Creek, Willow Creek, Brookings, Oregon, Curry County, and the Trinity Alps. Hunters, truck drivers, and longtime residents share accounts tied to these locations, involving tracks in fresh snow, missing game, nighttime activity, and unexpected encounters deep in familiar terrain.This conversation focuses on firsthand experiences and the places where they occur, forming a quiet pattern across Northern California and Southern Oregon.Listeners interested in detailed eyewitness testimony and recurring locations will find this episode worth hearing in full.Contact Doug here: brookingsharbordad@yahoo.com

Willow Creek pro Carl Sarahs joins the live show on ESPN 700 to kick off the new year. Utah Golf Hall of Famer Guy Yocom reminisces on Tiger's life so far. We catch up with Utah Section PGA Player of the Year Zach Johnson, and get to know John Scott of College Coaches Connection. Sponsored by Goldenwest Credit Union.  

This is not a show I ever planned to do. In all my years of podcasting, I've never felt compelled to look back and take stock of where we've been. But twenty twenty-four and twenty twenty-five have been different. These years have been brutal for our community, and I couldn't stay silent any longer. We lost giants. Real giants. Men who shaped the very foundation of modern Sasquatch research and carried the torch forward into the twenty-first century. Tonight, I'm setting aside whatever differences might have existed to honor what they gave us and acknowledge that we've lost some truly important figures.Doctor Jeff Meldrum passed away in September of twenty twenty-five after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was sixty-seven years old. The full professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University gave our community something precious: legitimacy. With his collection of over three hundred footprint casts and his landmark book Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science, he picked up where Grover Krantz left off and continued the tradition of academic rigor in a field that desperately needed it.I had the privilege of sitting down with Jeff just a few weeks before he passed, and that conversation will stay with me forever.Henry Franzoni died on August twenty-second, twenty twenty-four, also at sixty-seven. If Meldrum brought scientific credibility to Bigfoot research, Henry brought the internet. Back in nineteen ninety-three, he created the first Bigfoot website and the first online discussion group, the Internet Virtual Bigfoot Conference. From that foundation grew pretty much every Bigfoot organization and website you see today. I interviewed Henry about a year before he passed, and afterward he sent me a signed copy of his book, Failing in a Cooler Way: Why I Never Found Bigfoot. That title tells you everything you need to know about who Henry was as a person.Steven Streufert, owner of Bigfoot Books in Willow Creek, California, is also gone now. Steven was an institution, a historian and scholar who knew the stories, the players, and the timeline of how this phenomenon evolved from local legend to international sensation. He was a key member of the Bluff Creek Project, the team that rediscovered the exact location where Patterson and Gimlin filmed their famous footage in nineteen sixty-seven. Steven and I had our public disagreements in his Facebook group, but that's what a community of researchers should look like. We can all have our opinions and still show mutual respect for one another.Beyond the deaths, we lost places too. The Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, California, closed its doors after twenty years. And in December of twenty twenty-four, two men from Portland died from exposure in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest while searching for Sasquatch on Christmas Eve.I explore the legacies of these three researchers, discuss the current state of Sasquatch research, examine the Patterson-Gimlin film at fifty-seven years, address what the skeptics say, talk about the nearly one thousand witnesses I've interviewed over almost forty years, and reflect on the lessons we can learn from the men we lost. I also share a word about safety for anyone venturing into the wilderness in pursuit of this mystery.The disagreements don't matter. The bickering doesn't matter. What matters is the work. What matters is the pursuit. These men spent their lives investigating something that most of society considers a joke, and they did it because they believed the truth was worth pursuing. Their torches have been passed. We'll do our best to carry them forward.Leave Brian A Voicemail Get Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteSupport Our SponsorsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. We're talking with Aaron Stanski, founder and CEO of Risepointe, a firm that partners with churches across the country to design and build facilities that amplify ministry impact. With more than 15 years of experience in church architecture, project management, and ministry leadership, Aaron and his team help churches navigate complex building challenges while staying focused on mission. Is your church facing growing pains—crowded lobbies, full parking lots, or overwhelmed kids' spaces—but unsure how to move forward? Aaron shares practical insights on how to approach facility planning strategically, align vision with budget, and avoid the costly mistakes that can slow down momentum. Overcoming the overwhelm. // When churches consider expansion or renovation, leaders often feel paralyzed by the process. Questions about cost, zoning, design, and disruption quickly pile up. Too often, churches jump straight to hiring an architect before defining their real needs. Instead, churches should first clarify what's working, what's broken, and what's next before anyone draws plans. Start with scope and budget. // The two guardrails of every successful project are scope (what you're building) and budget (what you can spend). Aaron warns that skipping this step often leads to beautiful drawings that churches can't afford. Risepointe begins with a Needs Analysis, an on-site deep dive into the church's DNA, culture, and challenges. The team listens to staff, studies how people use the building, and identifies bottlenecks—whether it's the children's hallway, lobby congestion, or limited parking. Only then do they define the right-size project and realistic cost range. The power of early engagement. // Most churches wait too long to start planning. Zoning approvals, fundraising, and construction all take longer than expected, especially in urban areas. Waiting too long forces rushed design work, unclear budgets, and lost ministry opportunities. You don't have to build everything at once. Start with a plan that captures the next few wins—like improving your lobby or kids' check-in—while preparing for long-term growth. Knowing when it's time. // Aaron says early warning signs include maxing out your primary service, overflowing kids' spaces, and parking lots at capacity. Many pastors misjudge space needs because they see the auditorium every Sunday but rarely experience the parking or early childhood chaos firsthand. Evaluating your entire Sunday experience—entry to exit—reveals where capacity problems really begin. Aligning buildings with ministry models. // Every church facility reflects a ministry philosophy—but those philosophies evolve. Where there used to be 40-year ministry cycles, now they are closer to 10 to 20. Churches shaped by the seeker-sensitive movement, for example, are now adapting to relational, community-driven models. Spaces that once emphasized rows and stages now need more environments for conversations, mentoring, and connection. A free resource for leaders. // To help churches begin the conversation, Aaron's team created a free guide called “10 Things to Get Right Before You Build.” The resource walks through key questions every church should answer before launching a building project—from clarifying vision and budget to preparing for change. You can download it and schedule a free consultation at risepointe.com/unseminary. To learn more about Risepointe's work helping churches align facilities with mission, visit risepointe.com/unseminary or follow Risepointe on Instagram for inspiration and project stories. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. I am so glad that you have decided to tune in. You know, across the country, we keep hearing about churches that are growing and we’re seeing swelling attendance and that’s good. Some of that is like a platinum problem though. It generates other issues that we have to think about. And so what what I did was pull on a friend of mine, Aaron Stanski, he’s the founder and CEO of Risepointe. He’s got 15 plus years of church design, leadership and project management and experience. Rich Birch — If you don’t know Risepointe, where have you been? You’re living under a rock. They’re church architects and designers. They have years of experience working with churches like yours, schools and nonprofits, and they offer a wide range wide variety of services, including architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding, and so much more. Aaron is, I like Aaron not just because he actually has got incredible skills. His team’s got incredible skills, but he really actually wants to help churches like you. And so Aaron, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I’m glad to be here, Rich. Rich Birch — It’s going to be good. Give give people, you’ve been on a couple of times… Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — …and but give us again, for folks that haven’t heard, the Aaron Stanski, you know, a couple bullet points. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — What did I miss? What do you want to fill in the picture? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, ah you know the quick story is grew up in ministry. My dad was a pastor growing up, planted a we planted a church in Boston when I was a kid. Went to school for engineering, worked for Harley Davidson Motorcycles, did big projects, project management and stuff for them for a while. And then felt called to ministry. Aaron Stanski — So left Harley Davidson, was on staff with Cru for a couple years doing college ministry before I jumped on staff at a fast growing multi-site church here in Chicago. So loved that, loved being part of that ministry team. And then, of course, we went through a big building project. So got to roll up my sleeves on the on the church staff side of things and hire architects and engineers and AV consultants and really kind of combine my my engineering mind and my ministry heart. And so absolutely love that process. And so, yeah, I’ve been helping churches now for the last 15, 16 years. It’s been an absolute blast. Rich Birch — So good. Well, the the kind of person I want to have in mind today, and so friends, if if you’re listening in, if this sounds a little bit like you, you’re going to want to pay close attention. So I’m thinking about that church, you know, the leader that looks around, they maybe have got, maybe they got two services. Rich Birch — They’re looking around and they’re seeing, ooh, they feel like maybe their growth ah is starting to create some pinch points. Maybe it’s in kids. Maybe it’s in adults. Maybe it’s their lobby. It’s they look around and they’re like, man, I just I feel like our facility might be holding us back a little bit. um And because I do bump into this in churches all the time. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — And there’s like, there can be like a certain amount of anxiety and fear around, gosh, when do I, what do I do? So when you talk to pastors, what do you know notice as one of the kind of most common point of confusion when it comes to starting or pulling the trigger, moving on with a building project, expansion project, try to improve things. Where are we getting this wrong? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I think ah like one, the whole process itself can just be completely overwhelming. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — Like immediately you’re confronted with, ah oh my goodness, like what’s the right solution? What is the, ah what is the town or the, you know, the jurisdiction going to allow us to do? What is this all going to cost? Where are we going to do church in the meantime if we’re having to fix this building or add on to it? Rich Birch — Yes, yes. Aaron Stanski — I mean, immediately all of these questions start to kind of well up and it can become ah really overwhelming for a lot of churches. Rich Birch — So good. So when when we step back, is there any one of those that you think in particular is like a piece of the puzzle that is the most kind of mysterious or is the most um confusing as as you that you bump into regularly with leaders? Aaron Stanski — I mean, I think the most confusing is probably like, what’s the right solution? Rich Birch — Okay. Yep. Aaron Stanski — A lot of times it’s a combination of like, you know, we feel like we’re out of space, so we have to add on. But if we do that, we’re going to have to modify what we already have. And what we have is old, or there’s some maintenance on it that we haven’t gotten around to. And like, what can we do in this space? And so actually the the right solution is is probably one of the most difficult things to kind of imagine for a lot of pastors. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — And, you know, then right behind that is like. What’s it going to cost? Right. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — I mean, you know, for the last four or five years, we’ve seen a lot of inflation. We’ve seen a lot of different things happening, like with pricing and stuff. And so what used to be a pretty easy calculation for us as churches now, it feels like it’s a lot foggier as far as like what what things are just going to cost. Rich Birch — Yeah. So I’ve heard church leaders at this this juncture, they start thinking like, okay, like we got to get an architect. Get me the architect, the the person that designed this building 25 years ago. Where are they? Are they still in business? And, you know, we start going down that road. I’m not even really sure what an architect does. Like, I obviously, you you draw things. But, like, help us understand what what is the piece of the puzzle that, like, an architect brings to the table. Aaron Stanski — Right. Rich Birch — And I know that’s, like, a subset of what you guys do. Pretend that I’m, like, super dumb because it’s probably not actually worry about pretending too much there. Explain what that is. What is that service? And is that actually what we need at this juncture? Is that the first question? Like, get the architect. Come in here. Explain that whole thing. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, well, I think we have to be careful. Sometimes hiring an architect is like picking up a hammer, right? And for a lot of architects who were, you know, traditionally trained and might have like one sort of, you know, viewpoint of the world. Like their job is to come in and draw something new um that’s going to sort of solve your problem. The challenge with that is a lot of times that architect is just looking for ah one type of solution, ah which is build you something new, add something on. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — And they’re looking at it very narrowly through the lens of what the solution is going to be. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. Aaron Stanski — And a lot of times they’re not, you know, kind of able to kind of step back and take a look at strategically and say, okay, before we start drawing plans and blueprints and some of those sorts of things, let’s really talk about like what’s going really well at your church and how are we going to amplify what you’re already doing well? How are we going to add some, you know, some pieces around it? And then of course, how are we going to fix some of the big, you know, some of the bigger problems? Aaron Stanski — So an architect technically, right? I mean, it’s a licensed professional. Their job is to lead your organization through the process from the very beginning all the way through the stages of design. Their job is to make sure that the solution is aligned with your with who you are as an organization and your budget. And they’re supposed to help all the way through construction, making sure that it gets built the way that it was designed and and that it gets you know all the questions get answered and that it’s ultimately safe. Aaron Stanski — So that’s what an architect does. I think the I think the thing that we miss a little bit on the front end is in order for the architect to start, we really need kind of need to know what the scope of the work is and the budget first. Rich Birch — So good. Okay. Okay. Good. Aaron Stanski — If we don’t put those two guardrails on the left and the right-hand side, we’re really missing out. The left-hand side should be scope. The right-hand side should be budget. And we should nail those down before we get going into designing. Rich Birch — Okay. I want to unpack that because I know, I actually texted you recently. Friends, getting you behind the scenes a little bit. I had a friend of mine, they had done exactly what we talked about here. They were like, we went and hired an architect to help with this thing. And they came back with a ginormous number um that was like, I would say a factor, you know, three or four times what I thought. And what do I know? I don’t know anything. Rich Birch — And I actually think it was these guardrails where they went off off on it. They didn’t start with scope and budget. They started with, hey, here’s a problem, architect – solve it for us. And they came back with this, you know, very incredible initial drawing and all that. Rich Birch — Talk us through how do we nail down scope and budget from the beginning? Talk us through what does that look like? Aaron Stanski — Yeah, so I would say, ah you know, you want to find a ministry partner who’s going to come in and really kind of help ah flesh out some of those pieces, really understand what’s working well, what’s not working well, what’s missing, where do we have to clarify what it is that we’re doing in order so to sort of establish that. And and there’s ah there’s a lot of great partners out there who can help you do that. But you’re really looking for someone in the building/design/construction space who has experience who has a lot of experience, honestly, with churches and understands what it means to, you know, serve people who’ve been part of your church for 20, 30 years and keep them on mission and disciple them up, as well as welcoming people who are walking into your doors for the very first time. Aaron Stanski — So at Risepointe, we walk through a process called The Needs Analysis, where we get on site with, you know, a church for an entire day and understand their DNA and really understand what’s working and not working and stuff. And we start with that so that we can sketch out some ideas and some concepts and stuff around what is the what is the scope of work that’s going to solve the problem or fix the lid or add the seats that we need? And what’s the budget that we feel like God’s calling us to spend as a church in order to go do that? And we want to start with that before we jump into full architecture. Rich Birch — Okay, so sidebar question. Is it possible for someone to help us at this early kind of scoping phase without doing some sort of on-site? Like, can I just call an architect and say, hey, here’s the problem. I need to add a thousand seats. How much is that going to cost? And then they go away and come back with a number. Or, or you know, are is there, yeah, can they do that? Talk us through that. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, you can. I mean, you can call up Risepointe and I’ll get on the phone with you. The, and, but there’s going to be a range, right? Rich Birch — Okay. Aaron Stanski — And I can say like, Hey, here’s the last 10 churches that we’ve done a thousand seat auditoriums at… Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — …and here’s kind of the range and stuff. The problem with shortcutting to that is you miss a lot of things, right? Each jurisdiction is different, like how the civil engineering works, the parking requirements and stuff. Rich Birch — Right. Good. Yep. Aaron Stanski — And those really affect the budget. And so we want to understand those first. And the second thing is, I mean, every church that we work with is and incredibly unique in the people that they’re reaching, and the values that those people have and whether they’re de-churched or unchurched and and who they’re running into and and stuff. And so really kind of understanding that context is so important um before we jump into, you know, sort of solution. Aaron Stanski — But yeah, I mean, since we work with churches all over the country, I mean, if someone called me up, I could probably, I could probably put my thumb in the air and give them a ah swag on what that might cost. Rich Birch — Yeah. And I would, you know, it’s funny because I’ve, I’ve recommended people have asked me those kinds of questions and I always actually say exactly what, you know, where you led, which is like, you should call my friend Aaron and, but, but what you should do, get on the, do the like free call or whatever, get on the book a time. But I said, you really should do this Needs Analysis thing. Cause the project that you’re facing is always much larger than you think. Rich Birch — And I would rather people take time, invest the resources upfront and time, frankly, to slow down and say let’s actually understand the question we’re asking before we jump to answers, right? Like what because because we could get this thing wrong and actually that gets to this whole idea of how early is too early. My experience has been people wait too long before they engage with someone like you. They they get into like their third service, fourth service. They’re like, oh gosh, people aren’t going to the fifth service. Maybe we have to figure out how to get more space. Talk us about, you know, what mistakes do we make when we wait too long without engaging with someone like you? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I’d say, you know, the thing to keep in mind is that you’re, if you’re the average church that reaches out to Risepointe, you’re somewhere between two and a half and three years away from having any sort of new space. Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Okay. Aaron Stanski — And that’s on the short end. We have churches who are bringing new space online five years after they’ve reached out to us because they’re, they live in downtown areas… Rich Birch — Wow. Aaron Stanski — …very challenging jurisdictions and some things like that. Rich Birch — Yep. Aaron Stanski — And so when we’re thinking about when is the right time, I think, yeah, earlier is definitely better. But we have to be careful ah that we’re strategically spending dollars even on the front end, you know, so that we, you know, we’re getting out of it what we need. Aaron Stanski — As leaders, what questions are we asking that we need answers for in order to determine is it the right time to move forward with a building project? Is it a right time to launch a campus or go multi-site or some things like that? Aaron Stanski — If you wait too long, typically what happens is either we’re we’re rushing through the design process to kind of hit the capital campaign stuff and there’s budget misalignment. All of a sudden we thought it might be this, but now this is the actual budget for what it’s going to work. Aaron Stanski — And I think when that happens, there starts to be some vision confusion. You know, we’re looking at solutions that we kind of rushed through and it doesn’t feel like we really thought all of those things through. And so I think that’s another one. Aaron Stanski — And then I just think, you know, there’s there’s some missed ministry opportunities if if we kind of wait too long. I think a lot of times when we’re planning out, here’s the multiple phases of how we develop this campus and expand it. You know, we miss out on opportunities to go get some smaller things done sooner… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …capture momentum, you you know, fix the welcome center, like invest some dollars in something we know we’re not going to tear down, make it better for guests in a couple months. And we miss out on those things if we don’t have a bigger, more strategic plan. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. Yeah, kind of a step back and say, hey, how does this fit into where everything that’s going on? Rich Birch — What would be kind of double clicking on that? What would be some indicators internally that would say, hey, um you know, these things are happening. I should really reach out to Risepointe. What would be some of the things that you would see as telltale signs that it’s now a time to to kind of take this step? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, I think if we’re, you know, if we’re really pushing towards our, those max numbers at our primary service, I think that’s a, that’s definitely an early indicator. Aaron Stanski — A lot of churches just kind of reach out and say, Hey, okay, here’s, here’s kind of where we’re at. Here’s where the math is at. Like, can you look at this like from a, like how much kids area should we have? How much lobby space should we have? And we can run some quick math for them and say, Hey, you don’t have any other lids. You’re looking good. You, you probably have a few more years of growth in you. Aaron Stanski — So that would be one. You know i think if ah you know we’re starting to talk about ah adding a third or fourth service, it’s probably a little bit too late, but we should probably get on it sooner than later. Aaron Stanski — And then, you know, one of the, one of the other things too, is just kind of paying attention. It’s easy for us on Sundays to stand on the stage and look out and get a pretty good sense of, are there enough seats? Is there space for me here? And like, we look out and we see some empty chairs. Aaron Stanski — Keep in mind that when you’re coming in from the back of the auditorium, it’s a lot harder to see some of those empty chairs. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so what is the percentage? But the other thing is the things that we’re not seeing when more when we’re on stage on Sunday is we’re not seeing the parking lot. We’re not seeing the early childhood wing that’s basically a it’s a it’s a disaster back there. There’s kids running around like crazy. Rich Birch — Yes. Yes. Aaron Stanski — And so even if we’re ah even if we have enough seats, like or we’re not at the 80 or 90 percent capacity to our primary service. We need to be looking out at some of these other areas and making sure that there’s not a lid somewhere else. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah. In fact, I literally just last weekend said that to a church. I was, you know, I was doing a weekend visit where I was on site and all that stuff. And, and it, to me, it felt like the building, the parking, and the kids, and the main auditorium, they, or the adult auditorium, they just didn’t match. It was like they, the three were out of alignment. And I think they had enough kids, but you know, I don’t know. There was, it’s interesting how that can happen. And you know the lead pastor typically is seeing um only the adult room and not you know not anything else. Rich Birch — Early on, you know there’s my experience has been and projects that have been a part of that I would rather spend money as personally as a leader. I’m not saying, friends, if you’re listening in, that you need to necessarily do this. Rich Birch — I would rather spend money on the front end with a designer like you. Because because the joke I’ve made is it’s a lot cheaper to move walls on drawings than it is in in the real world. And I’ve that comes from pain of building stuff… Aaron Stanski — It’s true. Yeah. Rich Birch — …of building stuff, and then being literally I opened up a new facility and then stood there with a kids ministry person. And the kids ministry person was like, oh, I didn’t think it was going to look like this. I was like, oh my goodness, what what are you talking about? Aaron Stanski — Shoot. Rich Birch — Like, we just opened this new facility. Talk us through, like, what’s an investment on the front end to reach out to someone like you? Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — How do you help churches see that hiring someone like you can actually save us resources in the long haul? Talk us through that. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, starting out at the beginning and getting really clear about where we’re going and how we’re going to get there, it really helps us, you know, cart and like make sure we don’t overbuild or underbuild. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — It makes sure that like compared to all the other churches that we’re working with all over the country, that we’re in alignment with where the square footage is at and it’s aligned with how you do ministry locally, how you use these spaces seven days a week. Aaron Stanski — And so it’s it’s really making sure that we’re not overbuilding or underbuilding anywhere because that’s ah you know that’s a huge that’s a huge miss if we do that. And that’s probably one of the biggest cost savings. Aaron Stanski — The other thing is you know during you know during sort of that season of vision and master planning and when we’re talking to our folks about what God’s doing at the church and we’re telling stories of life change, like we’re really kind of laying out a vision for what God is calling us to do as a ministry. And people just naturally have questions around like, like, how is this going to help? And and how is this actually going to help us reach my lost coworker, my lost neighbor? Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And, and so I think, you know, spending the time to do that, really translating sort of the mission and vision into physical space needs and producing some of those renderings that accompany that story. I mean, that’s just a really critical part. Rich Birch — Okay, so let’s double click on that. That’s that I feel like I have been caught in this situation where I get I get like, it’s the hammer and nail thing you you say. Like, I’m I’m pretty sure I know what the solution is. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — Like, let’s go do this. And I like that what you’re saying is like, hey, we need to take a step back and like actually think through how does this fit in our vision and how’s that all? How do you actually do that? How do you help a leadership team discern what the problem is that they’re really needing to solve, or should be solving, rather than just let’s build a bigger box. Or, I know! We just need 25 new parking spots. Like how do we not jump too quickly to that? What’s that look like? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, it looks like, you know, spending time. Rich Birch — Good. And and, really getting to know them and what makes them unique. Like we have a fantastic set of tools that we use at Risepointe to like really talk about, you know, let’s talk about, uh, outside the walls, right? Like who, who are we called to reach? And, and what does it mean to do ministry in this place that God has uniquely put your church in the geographic area? Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And let’s talk about the tension between this side of town and that side of town. And let’s, you know, let’s wrestle with, you know, some of those issues. And then let’s, and then let’s talk about like, like, man, who are we as a church on our best day? And what does it feel like when we’re like living up to our full potential? Aaron Stanski — And then we even get into some of the things around like, man, what are what are some of the strategic drivers? What’s driving more people hearing about Jesus? What’s working really well? What do you see as opportunities or things that where if you had the right leader or finances that you’d be able to you know, accomplish even more of your mission. Aaron Stanski — And so by starting there and then starting to work down towards, okay, where is your facility aligned with that with that exercise and where is it misaligned? Okay, let’s unpack that a little bit. And then without getting into ah the solution yet, I want to meet like individually with each you know ministry leader… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …talk about what how check-in works and all of those things. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so it’s really sort of this almost like a 360 review of what’s happening between the mission and vision God’s given us, and how are our facilities helping or hindering that mission and vision. Aaron Stanski — And then it just comes down to budget. And so, okay, here are the possible solutions. Here’s what roughly what some of those things are going to cost. And then it’s going to the, going to God in prayer and saying, okay, what are you calling us to do? What are based on these options and trying to figure it out? Rich Birch — I want I want to come back to the budget question in a second. But I’ve I think I probably have stole this off you. I have said to multiple church leaders that like our buildings were built, there was like a philosophical underpinning of the the buildings that we were built with. There was a ministry model that they were built on. Aaron Stanski — Sure. Yeah. Rich Birch — And then there’s been a lag between when we made those decisions, we’ve we built them. Now we’ve been using them for X number of years. And our ministry model may no longer be the same as the building, or probably isn’t actually the same as when the building was built. Rich Birch — What’s your sense on how long that lag time is kind of between the, they they you know, we built something. If we built something more than 10 years ago, you know we probably want to readdress or look at our facilities afresh and say does this actually meet the needs of… Aaron Stanski — Sure. Rich Birch — Because I feel like so many of us are in like the the cramped shoes that just don’t quite fit they work but they don’t quite fitWhat do you think that lag time is? Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, the lag time is getting shorter and shorter. Rich Birch — Okay. Aaron Stanski — It used to be, you know, it probably used to be 40 or 50 years… Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — …you know, without major ministry model shifts and stuff. Obviously, you know, Willow Creek, North Point, you know, coming onto of the scene in the in the late 90s and stuff really shifted. We have churches all the way up into the 2000s, even into the 2010s that sort of copied the model of the Willow Creeks and some of those things. And I think we’re seeing, you know, we’re seeing the model shifting a lot faster now. Rich Birch — Interesting. Aaron Stanski — I’d say, you know, you know, we’re probably in a faster 10 to 20 year cycle, something like that. But I think we’re coming out of the, you know, the, you know, that model of Willow Creek and North Point and stuff. And we’re, we’re moving into a new season. And it’s kind of exciting for us. Rich Birch — Yeah. Aaron Stanski — I mean, we get to, we get to sit on the front edge of all of that. Churches like in fantastic places, being creative, reaching, you know, people for Christ. And so it’s just interesting to kind of observe some of those things and, um and observe what’s working really well and, and where it we can improve, you know? Rich Birch — Yeah. You’re baiting me. What are those things that you’ve seen that have shifted? There’s got to be, or is that the magic? We got to call Aaron to find out. Aaron Stanski — No, you don’t have to call Aaron. No, I mean, the thing, I mean, like, you know, I heard someone share this with me recently, right? I mean, every Netflix account homepage is different for every person, all billion subscribers or whatever that they have. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — They’re individually tailored to to those individuals. And I know that because when I had a bunch of seventh grade boys spend the night at my house, like my algorithm got so messed up on my Netflix account last weekend. Rich Birch — Love it. Love it. Aaron Stanski — But I think there is a shift away from you know some of the bigger, more institutional types of look and feel and trying to get down to, okay, how are we engaging one-on-one with people who are walking in and where they’re at. Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — How do we, you know, instead of preach a sermon at them, how do we hear their story? And what does it look like for us to hear their story in in various places, whether that’s a welcome center, whether that’s, ah you know, side by side in the pew, whether that’s in sort of a first steps class. And so there’s a shift on that side of things… Rich Birch — Yep. Yeah, that’s interesting. Aaron Stanski — …just like as we look at the next generation and how we engage and reach the next generation. Rich Birch — Okay, I want to loop back on the money question. So for folks that don’t know, a part of what I do is actually help churches with that. And don’t really talk about it publicly, but I do. And, you know, there is this interesting tension that churches often come to this. It’s like we think we’re different than our ourselves. Rich Birch — And that if I was going to go build a new house, I would have to start with, well, how much income do I have? And like, what can the, you know, what can the, you know, what what would the what would the bank give me from a mortgage point of view? Like I start with reality around my finances. But so many churches start with, let’s build this giant thing. And it’s totally disconnected from the from what we could actually afford to either raise or carry long-term. Rich Birch — How much variance can a church bring to a design? Like if they upfront are defining, Hey, like we can afford probably 5 million. I know I’ve got $35 million dollars in dreams or maybe not. That’s, that’s too crazy. I got $15 million dollars in dreams. Is it possible for me to, to actually get that into a tighter box? Help us understand how do we do that? How do we on the front end be realistic with our finances as we’re doing this design thing? Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I mean, I think we have to with open hands, we have to hold out the, you know, the dreams, the vision, you know, the stuff that God’s given us. And we have to prayerfully sort of go through that exercise and say, okay, ah but how much risk do I want to introduce into the organization, like via debt? Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — What what is God actually calling us to do with those things? And we have to be creative in how we and and how we get across the finish line. I think when I when I hear sometimes a senior pastor sharing with me his $35 million dollars vision, Rich… Rich Birch — Yes, yes, yes. Aaron Stanski — …what I immediately try to do is say, okay, talk to me about what it is about that $35 million dollar thing that’s resonating with you. Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good. That’s good. Aaron Stanski — And so even though he’s describing something that’s $35 million, dollars and as an architect, I might get really excited about drawing $35 million dollars worth of stuff. Rich Birch — Yes. Aaron Stanski — If he actually can’t afford it and can’t raise it, he’s actually not going to go do it. Rich Birch — Right. Aaron Stanski — So I need to go back to that vision and say, okay, what are the pieces in there that are from God, that are ah that are aligned with the mission that his church has and stuff? And I need to contextualize that. And then as an architect, as a designer, I have to turn around and say, okay, with my guardrails in place of budget and scope, how do I express those things… Rich Birch — That’s good. Aaron Stanski — …in the $5 million dollars that God has entrusted our church with? And so there’s going to be a lot of difficult decisions along the way. We’re going to have to prioritize some things. And some other things might have to go on the back burner. But that’s the process that we want to help churches walk through um to to get them to that point where they’re walking into a space for the first time and going, oh, man, this feels like us. Like this is this is who God wants us to be in our community. And I’m so excited about doing ministry in this new space. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. So it’s it’s not, from what I hear you saying, it’s not unreasonable on the front end to be like, hey, we should actually bring, like, be clear on this is this is what we think we can actually raise. This is that what we think we can carry. We think we could do a project of X, whatever. And that needs to be early on in the discussion rather than we’re disappointed on the back end. Oh my goodness, we got this this big number and we don’t know what to do with it. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I like to be doing it simultaneously. I like to be doing the Needs Analysis and working through, okay, here’s the eight different project options. You can relocate and spend $35 million. You can add on. You can you can do this. All right, here’s your here’s your four options, $10, $8, $6, $4 million dollars And at the same time, I like to encourage churches to like, okay, go talk to someone like yourself… Rich Birch — Yep. Aaron Stanski — …and say, okay, what do we think we could raise if we did a capital campaign? How much debt do we currently have? How do our elders feel about us you know borrowing some money if it if it makes a bigger impact on the project? Because if we can bring those two things together and pray through it and get clarity from God about what he’s asking us to do, then I can go ah help draw buildings and blueprints and things like that. Rich, you can help them raise some money and they and we can you know we can go through that process. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, it’s great. And you know, my experience has been every one of those steps, friends, is, it’s a lot of work. It’s, it’s like a, it’s a faith ah stretching experience. There are late, late nights staring at the ceiling, but every one of those I’ve been a part of, literally 100% of them have been transformative in the life of the church. You know, when they, when you look back, you’re like, wow, that was an inflection point. I am so glad we went through that. It wasn’t this like we did that and I was like, man, that wasn’t such so good in the end. It was really was amazing. Rich Birch — Well, there’s a resource that you’ve provided. It’s called 10 Things to Get ah Right Before You Build. Talk to us about this resource and then and then where can where can we want to make sure people get this. Tell us tell us a little bit about this. Aaron Stanski — Yeah, I mean, like with, you know, church, hundreds of churches calling us, you know, every year, asking a lot of the questions that we’ve talked about today. Like we tried to distill down what are the most common things the churches are like, okay, pause real quick. I got to go do something real fast before we decide that we can sort of move forward. And so some of these things are what happens like while you’re talking to Risepointe and some of these things might be before. But I think it’s just kind of a helpful reminder and ah a thoughtful list to kind of work through. Aaron Stanski — And so if that’s helpful at all, or if that’s interesting at all, um you can just go to risepointe.com/unseminary. And a little ah little landing page will pop up there. There’s two things you can do on that page. The first one is to just give us your name and your email there and sign up and get that 10 things to download. Aaron Stanski — I also threw another button on there this morning in case you’re like, hey, that sounds great, but I’ve got I’ve got a specific question I have about our building. Or like, I actually really need to talk to you guys about what our options are. And so I put another button down there at the bottom. If you want to schedule a call with myself or one of our architects, we’d love to hop on the phone with you. No charge for that. 30 minutes. Just kind of talk through where you’re at, what some of your questions are and see if we might be able to help. So ah once again, that’s risepointe.com/unseminary. And you can get all that, all that stuff right there. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s fantastic. That’s risepointe.com/unseminary. And friends, I’ve had multiple friends in ministry who have engaged with with Aaron across the entire spectrum. The like free 30 minute thing all the way up through, you know, the kind of full deal, help get a whole project out the door. And and just so happy with the work that Risepointe does. And just has been transformative for their churches. So you get a hearty endorsement from me. You really should do that. Again, that’s just risepointe.com/unseminary. You can pick this up. It is a helpful little PDF, and the schedule call is a great thing. Rich Birch — Well, Aaron, I appreciate you being here today. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. Rich Birch — If people want to track with you guys or if they’re anywhere else online, obviously risepointe.com. We want to send them to anywhere else online. We want to we want to send them to. Aaron Stanski — Yeah. I mean, you can always, uh, you know, follow us on the Insta or whatever you want to do there. Rich Birch — Nice. Love it. Aaron Stanski — If you’re into like, you know, cool pictures of like steel being erected, ah or, uh, kids ministry stuff or pictures and stuff, we’re trying to share a little bit more info there. But yeah, I mean, or just our website and, uh, yeah, stay connected. Rich Birch — That’s so good. Thanks for being here and have a good day, buddy. Aaron Stanski — All right, you too. Bye.

Robert leads a lively episode from the Old Yella Dog lodge after a great day hunting with Tule Creek Hunting Outfitters. The group scores big mallard flocks, honkers and snow geese in dry-field hunting. Guests include Curtis "Chef Boyardee," Willow Creek Custom Calls and Duck Chugger as they recount the killer hunting trip. The episode also highlights camp cuisine — venison bourguignon, duck pâté and olive oil cake — sponsor shout-outs and gear talk, from Willow Creek custom calls to the Mini Marsh in-action, plus anecdotes about fog, heaters, cocktails and road-trip camaraderie.

Guest Bios Show Transcript Recently, Willow Creek Community Church—one of the most influential churches in modern evangelical history—celebrated its 50th anniversary. For five decades, the Chicago-area megachurch has shaped how churches look, lead, and measure success through its seeker-sensitive model and corporate-style leadership. But as Willow Creek marks this milestone, its story is no longer just one of innovation and influence; it's also one of profound damage.

Guest Bios Show Transcript Recently, Willow Creek Community Church—one of the most influential churches in modern evangelical history—celebrated its 50th anniversary. For five decades, the Chicago-area megachurch has shaped how churches look, lead, and measure success through its seeker-sensitive model and corporate-style leadership. But as Willow Creek marks this milestone, its story is no longer just one of innovation and influence; it's also one of profound damage.

In this lecture, we explore the themes presented in Colossians 1:24 to 2:7, focusing on the Apostle Paul's message regarding the importance of maintaining a vibrant and active faith. The discussion begins with Paul's expression of joy in the face of suffering, particularly in the context of his ministry to the church. His suffering is tied to his role as a servant of Christ, as he emphasizes the significance of proclaiming the gospel, a message that was once hidden but has now been revealed to God's people. Paul highlights the riches and glory of Christ, extending this message not just to Jews but also to Gentiles, which underscores the inclusive nature of the gospel. The lecture dives into the essence of what it means to have Christ living within believers, suggesting that this profound truth provides assurance of sharing in God's glory. The importance of actively warning and teaching others about Christ is emphasized, with an aim to present every believer perfect in their relationship with Him. The speaker reflects on the concept of "stalling out" in one's faith journey, drawing a parallel between the potential stagnation in personal faith and a halted infrastructure project, such as the abandoned U10 metro line in Berlin. This metaphor illustrates the risks of losing momentum in spiritual growth, especially in a climate where merely attending church services without engaging deeply can lead to stagnation. By referencing the Reveal Study published by Willow Creek, the speaker underscores that active participation in faith, rather than passive attendance, is crucial for spiritual maturity.The core message of the lecture focuses on Paul's exhortation to the Colossians to continue walking in Christ after having received Him. This ongoing journey of faith is framed as a process that requires intention and deliberate action. Emphasizing the metaphor of walking, the speaker outlines four key instructions that cultivate a thriving faith: being rooted in Christ, being built on Him, being steadied in truth, and bursting with gratitude.Being rooted in Christ is highlighted as an essential foundation for spiritual growth, akin to a tree planted by water that draws nourishment even in harsh conditions. The speaker encourages self-reflection on personal plans for deepening one's roots in Christ through practices such as prayer, scripture reading, and community engagement. The notion of being built in Him further expands the metaphor of construction, emphasizing that every aspect of life—education, family, career—should be developed with intentionality and in alignment with Christ.As the discussion progresses, the importance of being steadied by truth in a fluctuating spiritual landscape is addressed. The speaker discusses the concept of plausibility structures and the role of community in reinforcing beliefs. Connections to fellow believers who strengthen faith through shared experiences and dialogue are promoted as vital to overcoming spiritual doubts and challenges.Lastly, the notion of bursting with gratitude ties together the previous themes by underscoring the response of believers to Christ's grace. The speaker conveys that gratitude should characterize the life of a Christian, contributing to their overall well-being and joy. The lecture closes with a reminder of the reliance on divine power to assist believers in living out their faith, emphasizing a community-oriented approach to growth and encouragement in one's spiritual journey. This comprehensive examination of Paul's message in Colossians provides practical insights for anyone seeking to avoid stagnation in their faith and to cultivate a vibrant, grateful relationship with Christ.

Jon and Robert run through a packed episode full of hunt prep: sponsor shout-outs (Willow Creek, Duck Chugger, Tule Creek and more), blind-building techniques with hog panels and roll-tops, decoy logistics, and upcoming guided hunts. They also tackle a website crash that disrupted bookings, share stories from recent hunts, praise key club helpers, and swap road‑and‑life anecdotes while gearing up for the season.

Tim Stevens returns to the podcast to discuss the hardest assignment in ministry: his three years at Willow Creek. He also talks about how to spot talent, firing well, how to recapture momentum, and his biggest lesson in four decades of ministry.

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss the 50th anniversary of Willow Creek Community Church. In 1975, a young leader named Bill Hybels founded this suburban church in South Barrington, just outside of Chicago. What made it such an outlier were really two things: it had a strong entrepreneurial, outside-of-the-box mentality, and it had a passion to do whatever it took to reach lost people. They became one of the fastest growing churches in the nation and went on to found the Willow Creek Association. While they have had a very rocky road of late, what God did through Willow Creek Community Church can not be ignored. Episode Links As Alexis mentioned at the start of the podcast, we've seemingly had a run of anniversary episodes. In case you missed the ones she mentioned, we'd encourage you to check out CCP165: On the Nicene Creed and CCP167: On the 100th Anniversary of the Scopes Trial. There are two articles that might be of interest to you related to Willow Creek Bob Smietana, “As Willow Creek Turns 50, the Onetime 'Church of the Future' Redefines Success,” Religion News Service, October 8, 2025. Laura Barringer, “Did Willow Creek Skip Yom Kippur — Again?,” The Roys Report, October 10, 2025. And finally, as the conversation eventually turned to the downfall of Bill Hybels, there are a few past podcast episodes that would be worth listening to if you missed them: CCP4: On Pastors and Moral Failings, CCP31: On Celebrity Pastors and CCP40: On Criticism of Mega Churches. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

You've heard Derek Jackson's ads on the podcast for his replacement heifer development operation, Willow Creek Cattle Co in Kansas. All he wanted was his own ranching operation and he has worked very hard to build it into a business. He started out with a small operation utilizing pasture that nobody was using and also leasing a yard that was out of operation. Derek was always looking for holes in the industry that he could fill and that has ultimately led him down the path of replacement heifer development. I think you'll really be able to relate to the struggles and challenges Derek has faced along the way building his business so check it out and reach out to him about his heifer program. Review Wizard:https://www.reviewwizard.io/Sponsorship:https://form.jotform.com/251243256767057Diversified Payments:https://www.diversifiedpayments.com/wealthycowboyThe Wealthy Cowboy Mastermind:https://www.skool.com/the-wealthy-cowboy-mastermind-1608/about

Un acuerdo de paz en Gaza se anuncia, con liberación de rehenes y ayuda humanitaria. La Junta de Andalucía realizará mamografías pendientes antes de diciembre. Los españoles no reducirán el gasto en comida. Se prevén fuertes lluvias en el este de España. Oyentes comparten anécdotas de enfado. CADENA 100 presenta la actuación de Leire Martínez el 18 de octubre y sortea entradas para Lady Gaga en Barcelona. Jimeno y Marlon dan conciertos de CADENA 100 en Zaragoza. Se narra la leyenda del pueblo fantasma Willow Creek en California, donde nadie toca nada desde 1859. Melendi, Eiffel 65 y Shakira suenan en CADENA 100. Se mencionan productos y servicios como O2, Fagor, Mutua, Leroy Merlin, Oro Bailén, Mueve, BBVA, Jeep, Movistar Prosegur Alarmas, Mapfre, Don Simón, Legálitas, Lidl Motor V-10, Bruxicalm y Eurodreams.

How can we get our people into small groups and involved in the mission of discipleship? In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Lindsey Jodts, Groups Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, about how discipleship flourishes in the context of community. Lindsey shares her journey into ministry, Willow Creek's evolving small group strategy, and why their vision is “everyone in groups, every group on mission.” This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for churches of every size seeking to form Christlike disciples who live for the sake of others

Todd Elliott, founder of FILO (First In Last Out), joins us to share how he went from a high school production enthusiast to leading tech teams at Kensington Community Church and Willow Creek. We explore the essential role of trust, excellence, and the art of technical production in church settings—plus the lessons learned from failure and what it takes to build strong team dynamics. Todd also opens up about balancing volunteer and paid roles, ensuring spiritual health for tech teams, and making smart investments in church tech. He also gives us a preview of upcoming Philo events, explaining why community and continuous learning are so important for technical artists.Follow FILO Youtube00:00 Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges01:56 Journey into Production: From High School to Kensington05:33 Experiences at Willow Creek and Beyond08:26 The Importance of Technical Excellence28:29 Balancing Service and Personal Well-being38:13 Addressing Problems with Solutions38:30 Tech Challenges in Church Services40:30 The Role of Volunteers in Church Tech44:39 Balancing Volunteer and Staff Roles50:26 Budgeting for Church Tech Needs56:39 The Importance of Backup Plans01:01:22 The Value of Philo Conference01:06:26 Philo Conference Highlights and Future Plans01:15:15 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

Hello and welcome back to another episode of B Bin Horror! On this week's episode we talk about the 2013 Found Footage/Horror film, Willow Creek. Willow Creek was written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait and stars Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson. On this week's episode we talk about the film and what we think happened at the end, we discuss our theories on Bigfoot and we also compare this film to Frogman. If you like what you hear please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @bbinhorror. You can also send us emails at bbinhorror@gmail.com and please don't forget to subscribe to B Bin Horror on whatever podcast platform you listen on! *B Bin Horror theme music - "Uprising" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio*

What happens when a young boy's summer afternoon in the Cascade foothills turns into a brush with something massive, gray, and very much alive? In this chilling episode, master botanist Keith shares decades of encounters stretching from Newcastle, Washington, to the wilds of California's Sierra Nevada. You'll hear about the day a Sasquatch rose to its full height just feet away, the night screams echoed through the forest like a woman being torn apart, and the time a pyramid of six glowing lights floated toward a tree fort with terrifying intent. From Cougar Mountain to Willow Creek, Keith's stories weave together close-range sightings, rockfalls, strange smells, and moments when the woods seemed to hold their breath. This is a rare, raw firsthand account of how one man's childhood playground became the stage for some of the most unnerving encounters we've ever heard.

Leadership guru John Maxwell shocked many by publicly honoring disgraced pastor Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek.

Leadership guru John Maxwell shocked many by publicly honoring disgraced pastor Bill Hybels at the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek.

 DownloadWelcome to episode 439 of LOTC. This week the crew is joined by special guest, Chris Bartoli as Bill Van Veghel is still on his camping vacation adventure. The crew is tackling camping horror movies and ranking their top 3 camping movies. You will not want to miss this one. We want to give a big shout out to Chris Bartoli for joining us and doing such a great job. We want you to grab your favorite snacks and beverages as you journey with us through the Land Of The Creeps.HELP KEEP HORROR ALIVE!!TOP 3CHRIS1. FINAL GIRLS 20152. PIRANAH 19783. CUB 2014DAVE1. 1978 LONG WEEKEND2. 1972 DELIVERANCE3. 1976 CREATURE FROM BLACK LAKEPEARL1. 2015 FINAL GIRLS2. 2008 THE RUINS3. 2002 CABIN FEVERGREG1. 2013 WILLOW CREEK2. 1986 BODY COUNT3. 2014 BACKCOUNTRYLINKS :GREG BENSCHMOVIE RAMBLING AND REVIEWSAN AMERICAN FOLKLORE TEASERFACEBOOKJUSTIN BEAHMWEBSITEFACEBOOKINSTAGRAMLOTC Links :Land Of The Creeps InstagramGregaMortisFacebookTwitterLand Of The Creeps Group PageLand Of The Creeps Fan PageJay Of  The Dead's New Horror Movie PodcastYoutubeInstagramEmailLetterboxdDr. ShockDVD Infatuation TwitterDVD Infatuation WebsiteFacebookHorror Movie PodcastJay Of The Dead's New Horror Movies PodcastYouTube ChannelLetterboxdDVD Infatuation PodcastThe Illustrated Fan PodcastBill Van Veghel LinkFacebookLetterboxdMusic,Movies,Sports & Stuff PodcastFacebook Music Movies Sports & StuffTwisted Temptress LinkLetterboxdLOTC Hotline Number1-804-569-56821-804-569-LOTCLOTC Intro is provided by Andy Ussery, Below are links to his social mediaEmail:FacebookTwitterOutro music provided by Greg Whitaker Below is Greg's Twitter accountTwitterFacebook

What happens when a spiritually sensitive musician follows the whispers of his ancestors into the forests of Coos County — and ends up face-to-face with something pacing on a rock, staring down a fishing boat?In this riveting and emotional episode of Bigfoot Society, Jeremiah Byron sits down with Chris — a gifted storyteller from the Oregon coast — who shares decades of mind-bending encounters with what he calls the “Hairy Folk.” From an ocean-bound Sasquatch pacing in front of a breaching whale to haunting dreams, glowing red eyes, stick signs, and psychic messages, this episode explores a side of Bigfoot rarely talked about… but deeply felt.You'll hear firsthand stories from Russian River, Stanislaus River, Willow Creek, Coquille, and more — including unexplained tree breaks, vocalizations that sound like human calls, and gifts left in the forest that predicted future relationships. More than just a chronicle of encounters, this is a look into how Bigfoot connects across spirit, land, and bloodline — and how one man's family legacy may have called him back into the mystery.Resources:Pulse Pace music video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J6EI7Om1-0

Get ready to trek deep into the wilderness of the unknown on this gripping episode of Tall Boy Radio! Your intrepid hosts, Beans and Gaz, are joined by a man who's dedicated his life to separating fact from folklore: the renowned Big Foot hunter and researcher, Ed Brown. This isn't just another campfire tale; Ed brings a unique blend of firsthand experience, scientific rigor, and unwavering passion to the mic, promising an episode that will challenge your perceptions and perhaps even make you a believer.From the moment Ed settles in, the air crackles with anticipation. Beans and Gaz kick things off by diving straight into Ed's personal journey, exploring what first ignited his lifelong quest for the elusive Sasquatch. Prepare to be captivated as Ed recounts his most compelling personal experiences in the field. He'll paint vivid pictures of the chilling sounds, the inexplicable signs, and the fleeting glimpses that have kept him on the trail for decades. Listeners will hear about the unique methodologies he employs during his expeditions, from advanced audio recording techniques to remote sensing equipment, and how these tools have provided tantalizing clues.But this episode isn't just about thrilling encounters. Beans, ever the skeptic (or at least the one who asks the skeptical questions!), presses Ed on the scientific opinion surrounding the existence of Big Foot. Ed, a proponent of evidence-based research, doesn't shy away from the challenges. He'll articulate the scientific arguments for the possibility of an undiscovered primate, discussing everything from the vast uncatalogued biodiversity of our planet to the limitations of traditional research methods in dense, remote environments. He'll dissect the ecological niches that Big Foot might occupy, drawing parallels to other reclusive megafauna, and address the common criticisms leveled against cryptozoological claims with reasoned arguments and compelling counterpoints. Expect a nuanced discussion on DNA evidence, footprint analysis, and the tantalizing prospect of what a confirmed discovery could mean for our understanding of evolution and the natural world.And of course, no discussion with a Big Foot hunter would be complete without addressing the elephant (or rather, the ape!) in the room: the infamous Willow Creek video. Gaz will guide the conversation as Ed provides his expert take on this legendary footage. Is it the definitive proof so many hope for? A clever hoax? Or something in between? Ed offers his professional assessment based on years of observing primate locomotion, analyzing gait patterns, and understanding the nuances of how such creatures move in their natural habitat. He'll discuss the historical context of the footage, the debates it sparked, and why, even decades later, it continues to be a cornerstone of Big Foot lore. Get ready for a deep dive into the arguments for and against its authenticity, and hear Ed's well-researched conclusions on its significance within the broader search for Sasquatch.This episode of Tall Boy Radio is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the unexplained, intrigued by scientific inquiry, or simply loves a good mystery. Ed Brown's blend of personal narrative, scientific insight promises an engaging, thought-provoking, and unforgettable journey into the heart of the Big Foot phenomenon. Tune in and prepare to have your mind opened – you might just find yourself looking a little closer at the shadows in the woods.tallboyradio.com

In this episode, Dave discusses The Puppet Masters, The Devil's Candy, Willow Creek, Pontypool, and The Burning.

Todd sits down with Nate Aguilar, the brains behind all the technology used to pull off the FILO Conference. They talk about streaming, using Willow Creek infrastructure and setting up the volunteers up to succeed as we streamed 8 Breakouts simultaneously. Show Notes: FILO 2025 Highlight Video FILO 2026: Live Stream and In-Person tickets are available for the lowest rate through May 27, 2025. Learn more at filo.org/filo2026. Don't forget, the 10% off discount code for podcast listeners is “podcast10”. Want to know more about the behind the scenes of the Conference? Send us your questions! We would love to answer them! Email the team at hello@filo.org. Subscribe to the FILO Podcast: Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the FILO Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and be alerted any time we launch a new episode. Leave a review of the FILO Podcast: Your ratings and reviews help spread the word about the FILO Podcast to others. We'd appreciate your help! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Have ideas for the FILO Podcast? Email your feedback, send us your topic ideas or names of people you think we should interview! filopodcast@filo.org FILO Emails: The best way to stay in the loop with what FILO is up to, is to sign up to receive our emails. Follow FILO on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook 

In this episode, Amy sits down with Doug Turner, President of GenerosityOS, to talk about how church giving strategies have evolved (spoiler alert: episodic capital campaigns are so 2004). Doug brings decades of experience from helping churches like Willow Creek and Redeemer Presbyterian fund their vision, and he's got some fresh insights on why year-round generosity and vision clarity are the new power couple in church finance. If you're tired of the same old “pass the plate and pray” approach, this conversation is for you. Doug unpacks why traditional capital campaigns are shifting, how to build a culture of generosity that doesn't feel like a permanent fundraiser, and why churches need to stop trying to fund unclear visions (seriously, stop it). Plus, he shares practical first steps for church leaders ready to level up their generosity game. Whether you're a pastor who breaks out in hives at the mention of money talks or a church leader looking to build a more sustainable funding model, this episode delivers the straight talk you need about modern church giving.   This Episode Is Brought to You by PlainJoe: Are you considering adding a second or third campus to your growing church? Need help telling your church's unique story across every location? PlainJoe, a Storyland Studio, has you covered. Their team of creative storytellers, talented designers and innovative architects are passionate about helping churches tell their stories through spatial, interactive and strategic storytelling.  Reach out to learn more at plainjoe.net.   Join the Conversation on Social Media We use hashtag #unstuckchurch on X and on Instagram. 

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On today's program, Willow Creek Pastor Dave Dummit announced this week he is stepping down as leader of the influential Chicagoland megachurch. Leaders have also named his successor. And, revenue is down for Steven Furtick's Elevation Church, while in-person membership is flat. We'll take a closer look at the church's 2024 annual report.  Plus, the state of the church—Barna Group released its new report showing men have outpaced women in church attendance, reversing a longstanding trend. We'll have details. But first, more churches are leaving what's known as ‘the Network,' led by Steve Morgan. Nearly half of the congregations that have been associated with a “Network” of churches overseen by Pastor Steve Morgan have either publicly announced their departure or removed any reference to the network from their websites. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Shannon Cuthrell, Diana Chandler, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT:    FIRST SEGMENT Warren:  Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, Willow Creek Pastor Dave Dummit announced this week he is stepping down as leader of the influential Chicagoland megachurch. Leaders have also named his successor. And, revenue is down for Steven Furtick's Elevation Church, while in-person membership is flat. We'll take a closer look at the church's 2024 annual report. Plus, the state of the church—Barna Group released its new report showing men have outpaced women in church attendance, reversing a longstanding trend. We'll have details. Natasha: But first, more churches are leaving what's known as ‘the Network,' led by Steve Morgan. Warren: Nearly half of the congregations that have been associated with a “Network” of churches overseen by Pastor Steve Morgan have either publicly announced their departure or removed any reference to the network from their websites. MinistryWatch began reporting about Morgan in 2022 when a watchdog group called “Leaving the Network” issued an eight-point “call to action,” including an independent investigation of the group. Morgan, who was originally part of the Vineyard Association of Churches, left that group in 2006 and formed his own network. At one point, the network included 26 churches in the U.S., U.K., and Taiwan. Morgan is still the lead pastor of Joshua Church in Austin, Texas. Natasha: Why were churches leaving? Warren: One of the concerns that “Leaving the Network” has raised is that Morgan was arrested in 1987 for aggravated criminal sodomy of a minor, but his case was diverted. The group believes Morgan's past has been concealed from members and leaders in the network of churches. Natasha: Eleven churches no longer appear to be affiliated with the Network. MinistryWatch reported about four — Isaiah Church, Vine Church, North Pines Church, and Hosea Church — last fall. Now seven more have indicated in some way that they are no longer part of the Network. Warren: Brookfield Church in Athens, Ohio: Cedar Heights Church in State College, Penn.: Mountain Heights Church in Morgantown, W.V.: Oaks Church in Muncie, Ind.: South Grove Church in Athens, Ga.: Vida Springs Church in Gainesville, Fla.: Christland Church in College Station, Texas: Natasha: Next, Willow Creek's Pastor steps down. Warren: David Dummitt, who became pastor of Willow Creek Church at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,

Time to enjoy the slowest of slow burn found footage horror.

Touring Life + Willow Creek Production + Christ's Church of the Valley = A Production Pro. Ivan Talamantes (Christ's Church of the Valley, Willow Creek) shares his journey from touring pro to church tech leader. He gives us insights on volunteers, gear, and the best (and worst) audio consoles in church production!In this episode you'll hear: 1:00

On this episode, we dig into a chilling tale of unexplained phenomena in the quiet town of Willow Creek. A young protagonist recounts their childhood, marked by eerie encounters in an unassuming house and its surrounding neighborhood. From whispered warnings of an imaginary figure called 'Mommy Ego' to nights filled with chaos and terror, this story will have you questioning what lurks just beyond our understanding. Was this family home plagued by restless spirits, or could there be a darker explanation rooted in the land's history? 

On this episode, we dig into a chilling tale of unexplained phenomena in the quiet town of Willow Creek. A young protagonist recounts their childhood, marked by eerie encounters in an unassuming house and its surrounding neighborhood. From whispered warnings of an imaginary figure called 'Mommy Ego' to nights filled with chaos and terror, this story will have you questioning what lurks just beyond our understanding. Was this family home plagued by restless spirits, or could there be a darker explanation rooted in the land's history? 

Lacey writes "Hey Wes! I started listening to your show after my encounter that happened in the fall of 2020 in Willow Creek, CA. Since then I have tried to make sense of what happened and your show has given me insight and validation, but has also left me with more questions than answers. Takes a lot for me to do this but here it goes.. During the fall of 2020 I was trimming for a medical marijuana farm and staying with friends in willow creek, ca. I currently live in my home state in the Midwest but lived in Humboldt County for 7 years during my twenties. So when the pandemic started, I lost my job as a massage therapist. Being that is was an awkward time to do my job anyway, I figured why not see my friends and make some money while in waiting to see what would become of my career. By the time my encounter happened it was October and I had been working out west since July. Autumn in that area is typically busy with travelers, so I thought it would be cool to meet a guy on a dating site while visiting to help pass the time. Right away I hit it off with a fellow farm worker who happened to be right down the road. We went out for dinner and decided to continue the night by laying under the stars at a local campground called camp Kimtu right outside of Willow Creek on the trinity river. The campsites were further down the road but we decided to pull of on the beach by the water. Since I had been living do on the road, my car was full of camping gear. We took my sleeping bag with blankets down a path to the water not far from my vehicle. For the record we did have a 12 pack of steelhead ale(my fav local beer) but each of us had only had two beers. One at the restaurant and one on the river bank. It wasn't long after laying there that it started to rain so we ended up getting into my car to wait out the rain. The rain lasted about an hour(which to my knowledge it was the first rain of the season) and during that time we stayed inside until it stopped. Eventually we made it back out but decided to just sleep there and continue hanging out. I have a rav4 so we put the back seats down and made a bed. While doing so I took out my camping tote which had some really valuable gear inside as well as his backpack and guitar (This is a key part of the story bc it just doesn't make sense that if it was a hoax then why didn't “they” steal our stuff?). At this point it around 11:45. The bed was made so we sat in the back of the car with the hatch door open(which was facing the river) to smoke a joint. I was wrapped in a blanket and he in his boxers snuggled up to me. A few mins into conversation we started hearing a low guttural growl coming from the rocky beach down towards the water. Take in mind it was super foggy out and there was no street lights around. So we never actually saw what was making the sound but oh did we hear them. The sound went on for about 30 secs or so. It almost sounded like a didgeridoo at first but you could tell it was a voice. Kind of like a growl/gargling sound. It radiated around us in a way I have never heard before. What was also really weird, we both immediately became emotional and struck with fear. It was like my body became immediately paralyzed. Tears started streaming down my cheeks as we grabbed each other and I said “that's not human” it was like my nervous system instantly knew something was off. He then yelled really loud “Hey, what are you doing down there!?” (This is when it gets absolutely terrifying and I mean seriously the most afraid I have ever been in my life. I still to this day have ptsd from this experience. It's gotten easier to tell this story but it continues to haunt me. I dream about it and think about it constantly.) The sound abruptly stopped when he did that but only for a second and then proceeded to SCREAM the most ungodly, otherworldly sound I never in a million years would imagine to hear. We instinctively shut the back door and laid down shaking. At this point it was pure terror and somewhat surreal. Almost as if time stood still but it all happened pretty fast. As we lay there trembling and not knowing what to do next, the sounds began to get louder and more intense. It started to sound like multiple high and low pitched voices that were howling, yelling and at some points it sounded like they were laughing. Almost like a gorilla/hyena hybrid. That sound will forever be burned into my mind. We both became hysterical. He also started to cry and kept asking me what do we do?? I told him to lay still and be quiet. I couldn't believe this was happening. Then, they surrounded my car. It literally sounded like they were all around us. It truly felt like they were taunting us but in the most horrible way and trust me it worked. The cackling and howling with talking btw, they seriously have a language. We could hear them bantering back and forth. It was like nothing I've ever heard, until someone played for me the Sierra sounds. It's absolutely unnerving how similar that recording is to what we experienced. Also at some point during this they began making really loud thud noises but not sure how. This went on for what seemed like forever but in reality it was only 15 mins or so until one of them was so close to my back passenger window that we both screamed uncontrollably and the guy told me to drive! I frantically found my keys in the mess of blankets and jumped in the driver seat. I just remember shaking so bad I could barely push my foot on the peddle. The lights turned on but we never saw a thing. All I could do was put my car in drive and get tf out of there. Looking back on it I really wish one of us would've had our phones out to record but it all happened so fast, that honestly was the last thing on mind. We ended up parked outside of my friends house and laid there in shock until the sun came up. We went over the whole thing numerous times. Did they want to hurt us? If so, why didn't they? Was it a prank? At times it felt like trickery but the sound was so out of this world that if it was they must've had some kind of equipment. Plus these beings had a presence, a very strong one at that. He even thought we should call the police and report it, we were that scared. Once morning with no sleep and completely hung over from the adrenaline we drove back to get our things. Truly thinking everything would be gone, to our surprise nothing had been touched. Not the beer, nor the cooler with some food, or our valuables. We walked around and looked for tracks but didn't see a thing. I still don't know what to think of it and didn't begin the Bigfoot rabbit hole until after that night. As cliche as it is, that area is highly known for encounters so we just assumed if it wasn't people or an animal then it must be real after all. Him and I don't really talk but the occasional text to remind each other that we survived some truly crazy stuff together. Maybe someday I'll get him to go on a podcast with me or something. I'm just glad to have had a witness bc it truly is unbelievable until it happens to you. And I'm grateful for my vehicle bc I'm not sure if I'd be here to tell the tale if we would've been in my tent. I don't really know if they would have hurt us, nor do I ever want to chance that again. Let's just say the woods will never be the same."