2008 - I’m currently the director of Axis, a ministry of Willow Creek Community Church that reaches out to 18-20somethings. My leadership run began in October of 2006. In early 2007 I realized the necessity to have someone pour their life, wisdom, and faith into me; in essence I had been consistently pouring my life out to others and needed someone who would be willing to do the same for me, that someone is Randy Guenther. Randy and I have … [Read more...]
Testimonials
Gabe Strom – Missional Community Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Meeting with Randy has been nothing short of life changing! Growing up as a pastors kid, I always felt loved and encouraged. However there has always been a yearning to grow and develop as a person and with God. I have read dozens of books, and prayed vigorously for truth but always seemed to come up empty. Since meeting with Randy I have gained tremendous insights into who I am and who God is. Randy has a passion for his … [Read more...]
Tyler Sterchi – FormerOne Year Intern – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Randy was leading my internship small group at Willow Creek when I first started in the winter of 2007. I didn't know anyone in my group, so I was a little apprehensive, especially about the idea of opening up to a bunch of people that I just met. Randy had a gentle strength about him that drew me in immediately and began to make me feel at home. His intentional questions, as well as his truthful, yet loving responses made me feel … [Read more...]
Praveen Kommu – Former Small Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Three years ago God wrecked my world by introducing me to the discipline of Spiritual Formation through the concept of "Wounds and Arrows". Randy was the one who led that session at an Axis Leader's Retreat. His honesty and vulnerability touched me and they made me feel comfortable with the idea of exploring my past for dirt that I have worked so hard to bury and getting in peace with it. I don't claim that I am finished doing it or … [Read more...]
Andy Padjen – Former Intern, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
My deep friendship with Randy has been the most transformational friendship I've ever had. Through Randy's love, grace, acceptance and wisdom, I've grown more in love with God, myself and others than I ever thought possible. I've also seen him lead others in various contexts, and the results are the same: life transformation! Randy is "The Man"! … [Read more...]
Jason Feffer – Former Youth Pastor, also Former House Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Randy is a man of incredible depth and character. A few words that come to mind when I think of Randy are: depth, integrity, love of God and people, wisdom, and authenticity. Randy is the kind of man who can level you with a single question. Anyone who has had a developmental or mentoring conversation with him will tell you that there is know doubt that the Holy Spirit moves through him in the questions he asks and the gentle words … [Read more...]
Eric Boutelle – Former House Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - Randy has been a tremendous help in my continued growth as I have wrestled through deep seated areas of brokenness in my life. He has received me with such grace and acceptance while never shying away from speaking truth to these places. The way that he calls out my truest person and calls me to be more the man that God has created me to be has inspired me to continue to make better choices on my road to beautiful. Randy has a … [Read more...]
Sheri Nenov – Small Group Leader, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - My time with Randy over the last few months has helped me grow both as an individual and as a small group leader. Randy has given me the tools to successfully lead a small group of women by both validating and uplifting me as a leader. He has also given me ideas for discussions as well as ways to handle situations that have come up. My individual growth has blossomed since meeting with Randy. He has helped me realize how to become … [Read more...]
Andy Tucker – Small Group Leader – Axis, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
2008 - I met Randy a few years ago working with a small group ministry at our church. His passion for developing people and "loving on" them was obvious. Recently I have had the opportunity to meet with him to work through some things that I really needed a trusted mentor to help me with. It takes very focused work these days to address and take action to improve the state of ones soul. I find that that is exactly what Randy is interested in … [Read more...]
Eric Flood – Associate Pastor, South Park Church in Park Ridge, IL
2008 - I was ready to give up on the concept of coaching/shepherding before meeting Randy. I was overseeing a growing network of small groups at our church as the Associate Pastor/Adult Ministries. It had grown beyond my ability to give personal attention to each leader. I was concerned about the health of our groups. I was hearing from more than one voice in small group literature that it is necessary to hire staff to coach small … [Read more...]