Content on this website is contributed by Pastors Mark Nash, Joe Nash, Dennis DeGraff, Jonathan Pilafas and Paul Narang
Additionally, I also served with Willow Special Friends (the church’s special needs ministry) as a peer mentor, where I was paired with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to perform musical theater, which I was actively involved with from 2013 until 2019. After high school, I eventually became involved with Student Impact (the church’s high school ministry) and Willow Young Adults (the church’s young adults ministry), where I volunteered as a photographer for a gala held by Willow Young Adults in December 2019 and a summer retreat held by Student Impact in July 2021. My religious heritage then develops into my time as a student at Lipscomb University. During my time at Lipscomb, I served as a Resident Assistant during the 2021-2022 academic year in Sewell Hall, where I also served as a breakout chapel leader for the Sewell Men’s Chapel during the fall 2021 semester. Additionally, I founded and led a student organization called Mission 5:13 in the spring of 2021 until the spring of 2022, which is an organization that seeks to serve the Nashville metropolitan areas in a variety of creative ways in accordance with the bible passage Galatians 5:13. Lastly, I also served as a breakout chapel leader with BUD Ministries, which is a college-aged men’s ministry that has helped disciple younger college-aged men at Lipscomb for my entire tenure at Lipscomb.
Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. |
Welcome from Jonathan PilafasMy religious heritage began in my childhood, as I was born and raised in a Christian household. From kindergarten until 8th grade (2005-2014), I attended St. Peter Lutheran School in Schaumburg, IL. Additionally, I vividly recall learning about the doctrine of sin with my mother when I was 5 years old. This completely shattered me and led me to accept Jesus at 5 years old. I grew up attending Harvest Bible Chapel in Naperville, IL (now Highpoint Church) from 1999 until 2009 where I was actively involved in the youth ministry through Harvest Bible Chapel. In 2009, my family then became members of The Chapel in Barrington, IL (now The Bridge Church) where I was involved in their youth ministries until 2012. In 2012, my family ultimately became members of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL where we are currently attending today. My time at Willow Creek began with me attending Elevate (the church’s junior high school ministry) where I served on the ministry’s S.N.A.P. Team (Showing New People Around) where I served by welcoming new members of the junior high ministry by sitting with them during our services and inviting them to our small group sessions after our message. Additionally, I also served as a 2013 Missouri Serving Team Volunteer for a mission trip in St. Louis, Missouri in July 2013 to complete home renovation projects for poverty-stricken homes in the St. Louis metropolitan area. From there, I was also involved in the Section Communities leadership team for Section 106B during the 9am main service where I helped set-up connection gatherings after services to engage the community and cultivate discipleship within the Willow Creek congregation.
Welcome from Paul J. NarangI am a sinner saved by Grace. I am a Technology Executive who has worked in Information Technology in the United States for the past 28 years for many Fortune 500 companies.
I lived a largely non-religious, secular life until 2007 when a Christian boss at work took a risk and asked about my relationship with God. May we all become bold enough to take these sorts of risks for the Kingdom of Christ. This man, who would later adopt me into his family, and who I call my elder brother, became one of my closest Christian brothers. Upon his suggestion I began attending a local Church where I lived, the Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church in Lake Villa / Antioch, Illinois. The day I attended, Pastor Kerry Bauman was teaching, and his words touched me to the heart. I kept going back week after week, began tithing, began attending Bible Studies at Pastor Kerry's home, and then taking extra classes at Church which was home to past Moody President Dr. George Sweeting, Dr. Gerald Peterman, Dr. Tim Siegler, Dr. Michael Vanlaningham, Dr. John Nathan Clayton, Dr. Michael Weschler, and many other Moody Bible Institute professors. At the time this Church was affectionately known as Moody North, because they would routinely hold MBI classes there taught out of the actual MBI syllabus by MBI Professors. Later I would also study at the feet of Dr. Grant Osborne, Dr. Gary Burge and Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian. I developed a saving relationship with Jesus and in 2009 was Baptized. In 2012 I joined Willow Creek Community Church and was Baptized there as well. Since 2007 I have never missed a Sunday Church Service or skipped a tithe, and work as hard as I possibly can to bring people to saving faith in Jesus. I am currently affiliated with three Churches, but have attended dozens. I have volunteered thousands of hours at various Churches, taught Bible Studies, preached from the pulpit, and helped plant Churches. However, I do not boast in anything, no wealth, no power, no knowledge, no wisdom, no righteousness and certainly not in any of my works. I only boast in Jesus' unending love for me. At the end of our lives, when we die, we will all stand judgement before the Throne of God. We will have to give account of the lives we have lived here on this earth. On that day, we can do one of three things, either (a) apologize for not living an absolutely perfect, sinless life and ask for forgiveness (b) be an arrogant, haughty person and claim our own righteousness or (c) claim the blood of Jesus. The right answer is (c) if you have believed upon the name of Jesus and are saved, then you have nothing to worry about. When on that day I stand before God, I know that I will plead the Blood of Jesus. I have believed in the Son of God, and nothing else I say or do will make a difference except for saying that I believed in Christ Jesus. Which of these answers will you choose? |
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