Willow Creek: Thousand Questions Video

For the last several years the Willow Creek Association (spawned through Willow Creek Community Church) has hosted the Leadership Summit. The annual conference has grown each year and is now hosted in 80+ satellite locations and attracting people for around the globe. The premise of the conference is that whether at church, school, business or home, so many of us are leading everyday. Leadership takes perseverance, dedication and a commitment to stretch your mind, expand your heart and use your God-given gifts to impact your world in real and powerful ways. And, it's important for diverse leadership to come together to be encouraged, to share best practices, and to be sharpened. The resources that come out of the Association have been beneficial to thousands of people, their teams, theirs congregations. Sunshine is no exception to that; we have benefited from the print, media, and conference resources.

The artistic genius that has flowed out of the Willow team and been expressed at these conferences has so often impressive and inspiring. One particular video came out of last year's Leadership Summit that particularly caught our attention and it's safe to say, the attention of many others.

You can see for yourself here on YouTube.



The questions that are asked in this video are honest, transparent ones that pull from the gut. They are humble us. We show this video to our Bridge Builders teams. The video is a important place to start for to dismiss the fatigue, the doubt, even the cynicism in our hearts when it comes to our individual role in missions is shortsighted and, in end, unproductive.

What are your thoughts after watching the video? Did it resonate with you?

The next Leadership Summit is scheduled for August6-7, 2009. You can register here.

Instilling Compassion While Shooting Baskets

During the months of November and December we placed special emphasis on character development with our Horizons after-school youth program, for students in grades 6-8, in a series entitled, “Living A Life That Matters.” We looked at Biblical examples of men and women who lived their lives with intentionality toward glorifying glorify God and, in turn, impacting others with their witness. We also looked at present day examples of ordinary people who in big and in small ways had a positive impact on the lives of others.

One of the examples we studied was Austin Gutwein, a 14-year old who founded the organization Hoops of Hope. He became burdened to help AIDS orphans in the African country of Zambia after watching a World Vision video. He then came up with the idea to do a shoot-a-thon. From that event, Hoops for Hope was born. It is the biggest basketball shoot-a-thon in the world, much like a walk-a-thon, but way more fun! Each year thousands of participants from around the world shoot free throws for children in need. This year, every shot taken will help to build a medical facility in Zambia. Every free throw will literally help keep children from becoming orphans.

Our students, and staff alike, felt compelled to get involved! So, we are hosting our very own shoot-a-thon on Saturday, February 28th at the Agape Center (342 W. 111th St). Each student will raise pledges per free throw they shoot on that day. The enthusiasm of of the kids for helping others through the event has been heartening. We look forward to sharing anecdotes and picture with you. And, hey, come join us!

Black Family Technology Awareness Week

Next week Sunshine is collaborating with other community organizations in Black Family Technology Awareness Week (Feb. 15-20). The week is designed to assist African-American communities in obtaining access to and training in web technologies, enabling these communities to leverage key information from virtually anywhere. Since it's inception nine years ago in New York City, collaborative efforts between a large variety of professional and community organizations have sprung up in 200 cities, supporting increased technology awareness. You can read more about the awareness week on this blog. As part of the festivities, Sunshine will be hosting a workshop on Friday, February 20th from noon - 2 p.m. in Social Networking and Community Development. Interested? Feel free to contact our main office for more information.

Register TODAY for the Legacy Conference!

Registration has begun for this year's Legacy Conference! Here at Sunshine we are big fans of this conference (a few of us just might be involved in its planning :wink: ) The 2009 Legacy Disciple Making Conference will be Thurs, July 30 - Sat, August 31st. This year's conference will take place on the campus of Chicago's Moody Bible Institute. Register today at: www.legacy-conference.org !

Young Entrepreneurs Make A Splash

Just before the Christmas holiday break, our high school technology apprentices presented and contested the hard work they have put into creating business plans for impact in our neighborhood. The training they received in how to create small businesses was also coupled with training in web design and PowerPoint presenting. We are very proud of each of them! First, second, and third place cash prizes were awarded. Brittany Fisher was rewarded with a first place prize for her development of a resume training and consulting business. This program was made possible by our partnership with After School Matters and the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

Sunshine is grateful to Brian Wongkamalasai for his photography work on this event. Click Here to visit Brian's blog >>>

Youth March to "Stop the Violence"

Wow! Has it been a month since we last posted?! That's not because there hasn't been any excitement around Sunshine. We'll have to catch you up to speed.

We've mentioned the uptick in violence this past end-of-summer/beginning-of-fall as local gangs renewed their fight over turf. Extra, and unanticipated, measures were taken to ensure the safety of those who consider our center a second home and of our staff members and building. The violence, however, afforded us interactions with the community that have only strengthened our relationships. Long-term community residents, which include block club leaders, police, agents at local social service agencies, along with Sunshine, have mobilized. Our joint efforts have included youth, in particular those who are being tutored and mentored to grow in their character and academic achievements. Back in November, at the tail-end of the violent spree, a march of youth, who refuse to stand for this violence, was organized and Sunshine endorsed the march, acting home base for the event.

The newspaper, The Chicago Defender, covered the story. Click Here.



Dave Clark, our City Team Leader, is pictured along with a number of youth who are involved in our programs.

Note from the Director's Chair: Psalm 34 in a season of uncertainty

Dear Friends,

I have been thinking these past few weeks about what happens when the circumstances of life threaten to undo us. Perhaps you have too.

On any given day, I have friends and neighbors who, through actions of the tumultuous environment in which they live, can loose everything. I dare say for many, present conditions have us acutely aware that we live completely beyond our own control, even beyond our comprehension.

For those in poverty this is often a daily struggle. It seems that just when they are about to get up something hooks them by the waist and "kicks you back to the curb". When this happens, how is it that one can resist the temptation to give up? To be without hope?

Hear the Word of the Lord:

This poor man cried and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man (or woman) who takes refuge in him.

I, personally, along with my family and many of my neighbors, have had many despairing days this past year. We've had many days when we have needed these words of grace.

I suspect that you may be experiencing this sense of despair during this day, week, month or year of economic crumbling in our country. Many of you may have lost jobs, businesses, personal wealth, meaningful business relationships or other things. Please know that as you have encouraged us and empowered us to count on the grace of God throughout great troubles, we are praying for you.

If there are specific things that our staff and community can remember in prayer on your behalf, please let us know.

When the righteous cry for help,
the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their trouble.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

The grace of God is vast. The promises of God are sure. In the urban environment we often have to be reminded of this and He always proves sure. So, let me try in my feeble ways to send you a message from the 'hood. Be confident of God's grace and love for you.

Among the most important spiritual lessons to be learned from the perseverance of the saints in our community is this very thing - to continue to walk in faith in uncertain days. As one old negro spiritual encourages us, keep your eyes looking ahead in faith to what Christ has for you:

"Hold your life, Brudder Robert, Hold your light. Hold your light on Canaan's shore.
What make ole Satan for follow me so? Satan ain't got notin' for do wid me. Hold your light, hold your light, hold your light on Canaan's shore."

Counting the grace of Christ with you.

Joel.