So excited about being part of the Arise Conference at Willowcreek, June 11-13. Every trip back to Willow is like a spiritual pilgrimage to me. I love the Chicago area–that’s where I grew up. It’s an excuse to get Lou Malnati’s pizza–just writing it makes me salivate. But it’s also a trip back to a burning bush where God gave me a vision.

It was at a Willow Conference while I was in seminary that I felt like God called me to plant a church for the unchurched. I already knew I wanted to plant a church. But that conference gave me a picture of what it could look like. A church that would make decisions, design services, and create ministries that were targeted toward reaching the unchurched.

Excited about going back. And excited about doing a couple sessions: Snakes and Doves and Right-Brain Preaching.