WESTERN SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH | THE VILLAGE CHURCH
WELCOME TO WSBC!
We are delighted to welcome you to worship with us at WSBC. We trust that you will sense our love for Jesus Christ and for each other here at WSBC.
Our mission is “To Discover Christ and Display His Transforming Power.” There is so much to learn and experience about who Jesus Christ is and how His transforming work on the cross can change our lives forever. With each new day, we can grow to love God and people more by experiencing a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ in beautiful and fulfilling ways, and we would love to have you join us.
Take some time to browse our website, and If you have any questions about our church or about spiritual matters, please ... give us a call or send us an email. We would love to get to know you personally and hear what God is doing in your life.
It is our prayer that you and your family discover the saving grace of Jesus and then display the evidence of Jesus Christ's life in yours for God's glory.
May God bless you and may you experience the great hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
“To Discover Christ and Display His Transforming Power.”
WESTERN SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH | THE VILLAGE CHURCH
Don Zimmerman
INTERIM PASTOR
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Pastor Don recently retired from First Baptist Church of Downers Grove in June 2022 after serving that church as Senior Pastor for thirty-seven years.
Pastor Don will preach most Sunday mornings beginning February 5, 2023 and will also have limited office hours at WSBC.
Pastor Don is a graduate of Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary.
After 32 years of marriage to his wife, Bonnie, the Lord called her home, in 2010, and then in 2015, God blessed Pastor Don with Julie who loves our Lord Jesus and His people.
Pastor Don has 5 sons, all adults and on their own. Three of them are married and have blessed Pastor Don and Julie with 9 grandchildren.
Steve Wolf
WORSHIP PASTOR
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Steve joined the staff in August 2016 as our new Minister of Worship and Music. Prior to coming to WSBC, he had served as the Worship Pastor at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Woodbridge, CT for 23 years. Steve and his wife, Lisa, are originally from Pennsylvania where they met each other at Messiah College and both graduated in 1991. They have 2 sons: Elijah who is a Police Officer in KS and Ben who is a Student at Moody Bible Institute.
Joel Sisson
FAMILY PASTOR
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At the heart of his ministry, Joel knows God has called him to faithfully model and teach people of all ages to know and grow in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's Story.
Prior to Joel joining our staff and church family as the Pastor of Family Ministries, in 2017, he served at Community Fellowship in West Chicago and Pleasant Hill Community Church in Wheaton. Joel is a graduate of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield IL.
Here are a few things that Joel loves … "My Wife, Rhonda, and Kids, (Josie, Benji & Drew), Michigan football, Cubs baseball, Sunday afternoon naps, Cheering on my boys’ football & baseball teams, planning adventures and traveling with my family, my big puppy (Chocolate Lab, Ruby), sharing a great meal with family and friends, family huddles & hugs, making my award winning chili and sausage gravy, grilling, and creating something out of nothing from the Fridge."
Aaron Hoesli
YOUTH PASTOR &
TECH DIRECTOR
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Aaron, his wife Becky and their daughter, came to WSBC in June of 2019. They met at Taylor University where Aaron received a degree in Elementary Education. He later went on to graduate from Liberty University with a Master of Divinity degree. Aaron then served 10 years in Youth Ministry at a church in Michigan. He served for 2 years as a volunteer at WSBC with our Middle School and High School Ministries while he was on staff as our Tech Director since October of 2019.
WE ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE.
COME VISIT, OR GIVE US A CALL! WE WOULD LOVE TO GET TO KNOW YOU.
WESTERN SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH | THE VILLAGE CHURCH
OUR HISTORY
Our church was founded in 1912 by several resident families. Initially it was a store front meeting place for Sunday morning worship and Sunday School. When the church was two years old, the congregation voted not to join an association, but rather to remain an unaffiliated Baptist church, which it is to this day. In 1927 a basement sanctuary was built.
In 1943 Billy Graham, a recent graduate of Wheaton College, became pastor of the 100 member church. During his 21 months of ministry, "Songs In The Night," a well-known Sunday evening radio vesper service, began broadcasting from the church.
Lloyd Fesmire pastored the church from 1945 to 1965. He continued the radio ministry of "Songs In The Night." During this time, the church's commitment to missions grew. In 1947 an above-ground sanctuary was built. Space for Sunday School, library, offices, and nursery was added in 1954.
Art Brown pastored the church from 1967 until he retired in 1989. His pastorate brought an increased missions emphasis, particularly through outreach to inner city Chicago. Pastor Brown's ministry also strengthened a love and tolerance for other Christians resulting in the current diversity of denominational backgrounds within our congregation. In 1975 a community room/recreational facility was constructed.
Dick Norwood pastored the church from 1989 to 1993. Under his pastorate, an informal contemporary Sunday evening service evolved and a small-group intensive Bible study program began.
John Beukema pastored the church from 1996 to 2005. In 2001 the congregation moved from its current site to accommodate a major facility upgrade. The church returned to the new facility in January 2003 and experienced significant growth. Under Pastor Beukema's leadership, our governing structure was redesigned and our church constitution rewritten. This new structure was approved by the congregation in February, 2006.
Pastor Dean Monkemeier, served the church from June 2007 to January 2023 as our Senior Pastor.
Currently, Pastor Don Zimmerman is our interim Senior Pastor as the search for a permanent Senior Pastor continues.
- Established in 1912.
- 1927- Basement sanctuary was built.
- 1943- Billy Graham became Pastor,
- 1945-1965- Lloyd Fesmire pastored the church.
- 1947- Built new above-ground sanctuary.
- 1954- Space for Sunday School, library, offices, and nursery was added.
- 1967-1989- Art Brown pastored the church.
- 1975- A community room/recreational facility was constructed.
- 1989 to 1993- Dick Norwood pastored the church.
- 1996 to 2005- John Beukema pastored the church.
- 2001- Church underwent a major facility renovation
- 2003- The church returned to the new facility and experienced significant growth.
- 2007-2023- Dean Monkemeier serves as Sr. Pastor.
Billy Graham
In 1943 Billy Graham, a recent graduate of Wheaton College, became pastor of the 100 member church. During his 21 months of ministry, "Songs In The Night," a well-known Sunday evening radio vesper service, began broadcasting from the church.
"My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world." ~ Billy Graham, Former Pastor of the Village Church | Western Springs Baptist Church.