Churches big and small. Old and new. A variety of denominations, locations, and ethnic backgrounds. All with a common goal — to reach unchurched people and turn them into fully devoted followers of Christ.

Since 1992, the Willow Creek Association (WCA) has been linking innovative, outreach-oriented church leaders with one another and with strategic vision, training, and resources. Now a worldwide network of over 12,000 Member Churches from more than 90 denominations, the WCA works to equip Member Churches and others with the tools needed to build prevailing churches. Our desire is to inspire, equip, and encourage Christian leaders to build biblically functioning churches as modeled in Acts 2; churches that build believers while reaching increasing numbers of unchurched people — with innovations from any church in the world that has experienced God-given breakthroughs with widespread potential.

The WCA is fundamentally about church transformation. This is not a movement dedicated to replicating any one church or model. This is a movement committed to helping churches own and express core biblical values within their own context. Membership in the Association requires a commitment to the historic, orthodox understanding of biblical Christianity (CLICK HERE to view our Statement of Faith). Member Church leaders are also committed to build prevailing churches that reach their redemptive potential.

“We are determined to help churches communicate the gospel to all people — from cynics to seekers — and help them develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ,” says WCA President Jim Mellado. “As Member Churches of the Association share ideas, strategies, and resources, each of us will increase the impact of our ministry. WCA Member Churches are marked by a deep commitment to the cause of Christ, and their leaders possess a pioneering spirit that pushes them toward innovation in furthering the cause of the local church. That’s why WCA’s ministry is defined less by what we do, than by those we serve.” (CLICK HERE to learn more about Membership in the Willow Creek Association.)

The WCA began in 1992, with just over 300 Member Churches. By 1993, Membership had grown to nearly 3,000 churches and the WCA began extending its work around the globe through WCA International, which now reaches into 35 countries, 13 with Affiliate offices. (CLICK HERE to learn more about WCA International.)

In recent years WCA Membership worldwide has grown by about three new churches per day, and now includes over 12,000 Member Churches, about half in the United States. Research shows that these churches are different than the average church in several ways:

• During the 1990s, the average attendance at Protestant churches in the United States declined nearly 10 percent. During that same time period, average attendance at WCA churches more than doubled, placing attendance at WCA Member Churches at nearly six times the national average.
• The average rate of church growth through conversion in the U.S. is about three people per church each year. Half of U.S. churches don’t see even one conversion in a year. WCA Member Churches experience an average of more than 40 new conversions per year—more than 10 times the national average.
• WCA Member Churches have a budget nearly 10 times greater than the average church in the U.S.
• In WCA Member Churches around the world, we also see greater vitality and growth than in the average church in their country.

The WCA’s office is located on the campus of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Our mailing address and phone number are:

WCA
P.O. Box 3188
Barrington, Il 60011-3188
800-570-9812