Willow Creek Denmark

The Chicago area's Willow Creek Church is a mega-church that has effectively introduced a new seeker-sensitive model for "doing church." The seeker-sensitive, breaking-out-of-the-mold model continues to be enormously influential in traditional churches and in new church plants throughout the United States. It has also been well-received in many nations through the efforts of Willow Creek International. For instance, there are well-developed Willow Creek Associations in both Norway and Sweden with Willow Creek Denmark not far behind in its organization. The intent of Willow Creek is not to establish a new denomination. Rather, as a parachurch organization it serves many churches and denominations through seminars and training in newer approaches for reaching unbelievers as well as helping new believers grow in their understanding of the faith and living out a Christian lifestyle. Willow Creek Denmark emphasizes networking, small groups, leadership training, "Promiseland" methods in children's work, creative church services based on the newer seeker-sensitive model, and "contagious faith" discipling concepts. The past several years it has sponsored a number of well-attended and very successful seminars and conferences in Denmark. Willow Creek Denmark shares offices in Frederiksberg with the Danish Lausanne Group. Members of the cooperating Danish Lausanne Group's Steering Committee include Lars Kristensen and Torben Østermark of Friluftsmission, Karsten Amby of Indre Mission, Claus Kristensen of the Folkekirke, Søren Marcussen of Pinsekirken, and Peter Kofoed Herbst of Kronjyllands Valgmenighed. Ruth Cilwik Andersen is the National Coordinator for Willow Creek Denmark. Relevant websites include www.willowcreek.org and www.willowcreek.dk.

PRAY for Ruth Cilwik Andersen as she administers the office in Frederiksberg and prepares for forthcoming seminars and conferences. She has heavy responsibilities in coordination of marketing, resources, seminars and travel arrangements.

PRAY that the Willow Creek seminars to be given by Greg Bowman (April 12-13) and Joe Horness (April 29-30) will be well-attended and meet the specific spiritual and ministry needs of all the participants and that through them the Spirit of God will breathe new life and hope into churches all over Denmark.

PRAISE the Lord for such volunteers as Preben Brohus, Karen Krogh Christensen, Svenn Strangberg, Jørgen Meyer, Vibeke Frandsen, Gitte Pedersen, Jens Skov, and Kai Ellergaard who are involved in a specific area of responsibility or are working generally with Willow Creek seminars and conferences. PRAY that the Lord will move in the hearts of other volunteers to assist in the work.

PRAISE the Lord for the translation in Danish of the Willow Creek Network Manual and the final polishing of the translation of Bill Donahue's Leading Life-Changing Small Groups that is expected to be published and marketed beginning next month.

PRAY especially for a great outpouring of God's blessing on the work of Willow Creek Denmark as it contributes to the country's overwhelming need for life-changing evangelism, personal and church revival/renewal, and increased church planting efforts.