We moved here about a month ago (West Dundee area) and I feel a need to go to church. I haven't found one that I like yet. I would like to find one that is diversified with different races and types of people. Also, would like a more contemporary environment. I grew up in a methodist church, but would go to other denominations if they fit what I am looking for. Also, I have young children and would like them to be involved in a good program for kids.
Hi K.,
I belong to a moms group in the area and we have about 4 or 5 moms who go to Willow Creek in Barrington and are pleased with it. They also have an offshoot building in Crystal Lake.
C.
Hi K.!! My husband and I moved to Illinois from MN about a year and a half ago and just started to attend Willow Creek in Barrington, IL. It is a wonderful church and very contemporary which is what we were looking for as well. I have a 16 month old daughter and live in Carpentersville very close to you!!! Give me a shout!!
Hi K.,
Okay, here's another vote for Willow Creek! It's a great church with an outstanding children's program. I volunteer there, and know that they have an amazing curriculum for the kids, infant through high school!
I know you've heard that it's a really big church. But if you're considering going there to check it out, I would be happy to meet you and show you around. Just email me back!
I'm also part of a Moms' Group in the Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg area (with other Willow moms as well as non-Willow moms), and you're more than welcome to join us!
God bless!
K.,
Hi! I attend Willow Creek too. WOW - do we all come out in groups, or what. The reason so many people have answered is it is a VERY BIG church; however it is amazing and you can find community (small church feel) in ways you never imagined.
As well, it is awesome! PromiseLand (Sunday school for kids) is as dynamic as the adult service. I am amazed every week how "filled" I feel leaving church and am so excited at the same time, that my daughter gets to experience that too.
The services are Saturday and Sunday for regular weekend services and there are mid-week classes in the evening for going even further. Here's the website http://www.willowcreek.org/MiniSite/default.asp
Peace,
J.
I live in Woodstock and attend the Woodstock Assembly of God but I don't think you will want to travel that far but there is a church in Elgin that my son just loves called Church in the Word.
It is a church that has something for every member of the family. It is very missions oriented and salvation driven. Check out the web site for more information.
http://www.churchintheword.com/
S.
I highly recommend Willow Creek; which is where we attend. They have a great children's program. Harvest Bible Chapel is another great church. I also used to attend WestRidge (back before they had their own building). I would just say check out all the ones mentioned here and see which one you like best. Oh..and Christ Community Church on Randall Road is another good one.
My family and I attend West Ridge Community Church. We love it! It is much smaller than Willow Creek, but not super-small. The services are very contemporary. The worship music is AWESOME! We have an outstanding kids' program that ranges in age from newborns through 5th grade, and there is also a youth group for kids in grades 6 through 12. The website is www.westridgechurch.net. It is located at 3300 Encounter Lane in Elgin (just off of Rt 20). Hope this helps!
Check out Fox Valley Church just off of Route 47. My friend's husband is the youth pastor there and has been for about 6 months. It's a great church with great programs for kids and adults alike. Good luck with your search!
K. -
Elgin Evangelical Free Church is a great church not too far from West Dundee (It's on Big Timber Road, just off of Route 31, just past Judson University. We've lived here (in Carpentersville) a year and went to Harvest, Willow and a few others before decided on Elgin E-Free last December and we love it! It is a smaller church (about 270 people.
The paster is young (41) and has been the pastor for 4 years. He is married with 4 kids. Our mission statement is intentional to be a multigenerational, multi-ethnic church. Our new youth pastor is Asian. The church also has many folks who have adopted, myself included. While predominately an anglo church, we do have some African Americans, some Philipino, some Asian and some Hispanic. We have a wide range of ages with programs for all groups. Our moms of Tots group, which currently meets once a month at Caribou Coffee near Woodman's has about 10 women involved (although we have a lot more Moms of Tots than that!)
There is a nursery and a toddler room. They offer Sunday School and Toddler or Childen's CHurch during the service. They also have an Awana program during the school year. The high school group just took a trip to Utah for a conference (I think about 25 people went)
The service is blended contemporary and traditional. The worship pastor is the director of chapel at Judson University. There is a mixed choir, an orchestra, a women's choir and a children's choir that puts on two musicals each year.
They have women's bible studies with free child care during the week, a men's bible study, and many other women's events throughout the year.
It's not as big and refined as Willow, but if you are looking to get to know people it's a lot easier, we found, to attend a smaller church.
Here's our churches website: www.elginefc.org
Best wishes, if you have any other questions, please let me know!
J.
Give Holy Family Church in Inverness a try.
Willow Creek would be perfect for you. They have a special program for the kids called Promiseland that you take them to before the service. It is broken down by age and then by grade. You drop off the kids before the service and then you pick them up afterwards. My two year old told me for a good 10 minutes last week on the way home how God made her, and he made her feet and he made her smile and he made her heart. You can't beat that. I have four children. They all attend Promiseland.
