About Northwoods Church

About Us

Northwoods Community Church started in 1990 with a vision to reach the 150,000 people in the greater Peoria area who did not have a relationship with Jesus and needed a church home. 

Now, more than 30 years later, Northwoods continues to flourish and impacts thousands of lives every week. Originating in Peoria, campuses now serve the communities surrounding in Canton as well. Online ministry reaches many thousands more through the web, social media, and streaming—not only in Central Illinois but all around the world.

For a detailed look at key highlights and milestones in Northwoods history, check out this timeline.

Vision

Northwoods Church believes that local churches can be the wellspring of hope in every community. To that end, by the year 2030, we will plant 20 regional churches in the United States—equipped by training from the Northwoods School of Ministry—and 3,000 churches around the world.

 

Mission

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Inviting broken-world people to experience complete freedom in Christ Jesus

Values

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?


Evangelistic Heartbeat
We will continue to reach out to broken-world people in an effort to bring them to Christ!
Anchor Verse: Luke 19:10

Word & Spirit Culture
We will uphold the authority of the Scriptures while pursuing the power of the Spirit!
Anchor Verse: Matthew 22:29

Forgiveness & Freedom
We will expect those who are forgiven to walk in increasing freedom from bondage!
Anchor Verse: Luke 4:18-19

Empowered People
We will equip our people and entrust them with opportunities to serve and lead.
Anchor Verse: 1 Peter 4:10

Grander Vision
We will lead people to live beyond themselves for greater kingdom impact!
Anchor Verse: Matthew 28:19-20

Strategy

HOW DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?

Four Steps and E4 Growth Track

Step One: Start
Encounter God
Encountering Jesus in the fullness of His love and power
Supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ kindles life change in us.

Step Two: Connect
Establish In Groups
Established in God's Word and in loving relationships
The Bible grounds us in God's truth. Relationships with God's people ground us in love.

Step Three: Discover
Equip For Serving
Equipped to share the words and do the works of Jesus
Proper training enables us to effectively share the words and do the works of Jesus.

Step Four: Serve
Engage Our World
Engaged to take God's love and power to a needy world
The goal of God's redemptive work in us is that we might be agents of redemption in our world, taking his love and power to the streets.

Measures

WHEN ARE WE SUCCESSFUL?

Alignment
Am I aligned with God? I am aligned with God.
Anchor Scripture: Proverbs 8:34, 2 Corinthians 13:14, John 10:27

Peace
Am I at peace? I am at peace within.
Anchor Scripture: Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:15, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 1:14b

Harmony
Am I in harmony? I am in harmony with others.
Anchor Scripture: Romans 12:18, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, James 2:13, Colossians 3:13-14, 1 Peter 4:8

Freedom
Am I free? I am free from accusation.
Anchor Scripture: Romans 8:1, Romans 13: 13-14, Romans 8:29, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 3:6, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 1:22

Joy
Am I joyful? I am walking in joy.
Anchor Scripture: Romans 12:11, 2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Peter 1:8=9, Ephesians 5:18-20

Courage
Am I courageous? I am courageously taking faith risks.
Anchor Scripture: Mark 11:23, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 3:21

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