Willow Welcomes Back | Gene Appel

Loneliness seriously impacts mental, emotional, and physical health, yet God offers healing through loving, faithful friendship. The friendship between David and Jonathan shows us how humility, loyalty, and sacrificial care create deep connections. Inspired by Philippians 2, Pastor Shawn Williams encourages us to lead with compassion, take the first step, and help others move from isolation into the abundant life God intends. Discover how friendship can transform loneliness into lasting community and hope!

Gene Appel, Senior Pastor of Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim, California, started his ministry as a 20-year-old intern and has since guided the church through significant growth and community impact. A graduate of Lincoln Christian University and honorary Doctor of Divinity recipient from Hope International University, Gene is also a global church leadership coach. Formerly the Lead Pastor of Willow South Barrington in the 2000s, he continues to inspire many with his deep passion for Christ and compassionate leadership.

Let’s welcome back Megan Marshman—dynamic Bible teacher, author, and Willow teaching pastor—whose heart for women’s ministry and global impact inspires many. Recently, during a trip to Uganda with her boys, Megan experienced a powerful shift in perspective—one that challenges the productivity-obsessed culture we live in and invites us to embrace a slower, more human pace. She watched her boys slow down, noticed rhythms of presence and peace, and realized how Jesus actually invites us to live. She always knew slower was better but had yet to see the impact of a slower, deeper, more human pace in herself and those she loves most. In this message, we’ll explore what it means to walk with God in time, not just in theory, but with our actual bodies, rhythms, and relationships because you weren’t made to hurry through life; we were made to abide.

Welcome back author Ashlee Eiland—a beloved part of Willow’s story who helped lead Young Adults, contributed to the high school ministry, and shaped Midweek services. In this message, we'll explore one of those questions from John's Gospel as Jesus encounters a man by a pool. How Jesus chooses to engage this man serves as a timely invitation to us: Do we, in fact, want to be well?

Lee Strobel is a former investigative journalist and bestselling author known for his compelling exploration of faith through a legal and evidential lens. Once an atheist, he became a Christian after an in-depth investigation into the claims of Christianity, which he documented in, The Case for Christ. Strobel served as a teaching pastor at Willow during the 80s and 90s, and has since written numerous books defending the faith and sharing stories of transformation. Today, he serves as a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in The Woodlands, Texas and continues to equip believers to share their faith with confidence and clarity.

The book of Acts shows how the early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly spread the message of Jesus despite persecution and challenges. Even under house arrest, Paul continued to proclaim the Kingdom of God, proving that nothing can stop the Gospel. Just like the early church, we are called to live on mission, trusting the Spirit to empower us to share Jesus with others. The church is alive, and we’re invited to be part of this movement—will we answer the call?

Suffering is a part of life; following Jesus means embracing His call to join Him in it. Paul’s journey—filled with arrests, trials, storms, and shipwrecks—teaches us that hardship doesn’t have to silence or discourage us. Through it all, Paul kept preaching and pointing others to the hope of the Gospel, showing us that even in suffering, we can glorify God. Pastor Shawn Williams reminds us that Jesus is with us in every trial, and the Gospel remains our greatest hope.

Paul’s time in Athens was a bold step of courage. Surrounded by idols and intellectual pride, he took the Gospel straight into the marketplace, engaging with the great thinkers of the time. Even with the real risk of death, Paul stood firm, declaring that the Creator God had always been present. His courage wasn’t based on intellect, but on being deeply aware of God’s presence—reminding us that we don’t need all the answers to share our faith, just the willingness to step in when God calls. Pastor Dave Dummitt challenges us to be ready, wherever we are, to speak truth with courage!

In Acts 16, we find Paul and Silas worshipping in prison, choosing hymns of hope in the darkest of circumstances. Their unwavering faith led to a miracle, not only freeing them but also bringing salvation to the jailer and his family. Pastor Dave Dummitt teaches that worship isn’t merely about enduring hardships, it’s about transforming lives and pointing others to Jesus. Their example calls us to embrace radical worship, understanding that our praise has the power to impact those around us and lead them to faith.

Acts 12 narrates the miraculous escape of Peter from prison, underscoring the transformative power of prayer amidst persecution. In a seemingly hopeless situation, the church came together in earnest prayer, and God responded by sending an angel to deliver Peter. Pastor Shawn Williams emphasizes that faith isn't about having all the answers but trusting in God's power to move—even when the situation seems beyond hope. This passage calls the church to engage in bold, persistent prayer, trusting that God continues to perform miracles and work powerfully in the world today!