Willow Creek Community Church is an Evangelical nondenominational multisite megachurch based in the northwestern Chicago suburb of South Barrington, Illinois.

In 2018, the church's entire senior leadership and elder board resigned, admitting to having mishandled abuse allegations against Hybels.

In January 2020, it was announced that Gillen would step down in March and that the two candidates who were being considered for the role of senior pastor had been "released" from the search process.

On October 12, 1975, the church met for the first time, renting Willow Creek Theater in Palatine, Illinois.

[13] In November 2018, CBS News listed Willow Creek Community Church as the fifth largest megachurch in the United States with about 25,743 weekly visitors.

[14] In January 2020, it was announced that Gillen would step down in March and that the two candidates who were being considered for the role of senior pastor had been "released" from the search process.

On April 10, 2018, Hybels announced that he was moving forward his retirement date effective immediately and stated that he did not want to be a distraction to the church's ministry.

[22] On April 21, 2018, the Chicago Tribune and Christianity Today reported more misconduct allegations not included in the initial investigation.

The elders indicated they would seek wise counsel and work with experts to investigate the allegations, developing a collaborative process.

[25] The entire elder board and co-lead pastor Heather Larson resigned on August 8, 2018 following a joint apology for mishandling the investigation.

[29][30] Religion News Service reported in December 2018 that the alleged misconduct and admitted mishandling of the allegations had led to a $3 million budget shortfall for 2018, the elimination of 50 full-time positions, a 9% reduction in attendance across all the church's campuses, and a reduction in attendance of at least 15% at its main South Barrington Campus.

[38] The scandal involving Bill Hybels led to a 36% reduction in revenue for the Willow Creek Association between 2017 and 2018.