Vanderbloemen Search Group

Success At Willow Creek

We are pleased to announce the conclusion of a successful search for Willow Creek Community Church for the leader of their Willow Chicago campus. Willow Creek is one of the largest congregations in the United States, and has become internationally known as a pillar in the landscape of Christendom. The work in downtown Chicago is central to their mission in the coming years.

Greg Hawkins, Executive Pastor, Willow Creek

“This was the first time a search firm has been able to help us identify the right candidate for a senior leadership role. I am grateful to William for his partnership with Willow on this important search.” Greg Hawkins, Executive Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church.

Helping Willow find just the right person for this role was an honor and a unique challenge. Willow Chicago is located right in the middle of the city. The atmosphere is a highly unchurched, and many who live there are skeptical of organized religion. Ministry there requires a local knowledge, love for the city, and a unique approach. Navigating the urban, unusually diverse environment, working with city officials, locating space for events, and navigating the use of an historic theater are just a few of the myriad of complexities that required Willow to find a world class leader for the new leader of Willow Chicago. The Campus Pastor reports directly to Bill Hybels, and will work closely with Executive Pastor Greg Hawkins. Finding the person with the right leadership skills who also knows, understands, and can fit in and broadcast the Willow DNA was essential in the search.

When asked about the search process, Greg Hawkins said,

“William was very professional, listened carefully to what we were looking for and did a very thorough search. He surfaced several good candidates, one of which we hired to lead our downtown Chicago campus. This was the first time a search firm has been able to help us identify the right candidate for a senior leadership role. I am grateful to William for his partnership with Willow on this important search.” Greg Hawkins, Executive Pastor, Willow Creek

Jon Klinepeter, Campus Pastor, Willow Chicago

Jon Klinepeter has been selected as the new Campus Pastor of Willow Chicago, and begins his work this summer. Jon comes to Willow most recently from his ministry in Minneapolis at the Upper Room church. He has a deep love for and understanding of downtown Chicago, as well as a high degree of familiarity with the Willow DNA. And on top of all that, he’s just a class act. It’s been a pleasure getting to know him. We would encourage you to follow him and the important ministry Willow is doing in the middle of a global city. It’s unlike anything else they are doing, and Jon’s job is a big one. Pray for him and for Senior Pastor Bill Hybels as they work together to make an impact and launch a movement in the center of Chicago.