Name: Woodlands Baptist Church, Rockford Illinois
Address: 5301 East Riverside Boulevard, Rockford, Illinois, 61111, United States

Woodlands Baptist Church Rockford Illinois 1

Place Category: ChurchPlace Tags: Illinois Independent Baptist Nursery Small Groups Ministries

Overview: Woodlands Baptist Church, formerly North Love Baptist Church, is an independent Baptist church located in Rockford, Illinois. It rebranded to Woodlands Baptist Church following controversies involving allegations of sexual abuse and subsequent leadership changes. The church emphasizes a culturally diverse, Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, Bible-living, and missions-focused community where Jesus is prioritized, offering a place for spiritual growth and a fresh start.

Pastor:

Phil Lien serves as the lead pastor, alongside his wife, Kristine Lien. They met in Bible college, have been married for over 25 years, and have three adult children. Pastor Phil and Kristine have served in pastoral roles and as church-planting missionaries overseas. Kristine is pursuing training in biblical counseling and is involved in ministry alongside her husband.

Address:

5237 East Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61114

Phone Number:

(815) 877-6021

Programs and Ministries:

Sunday Worship: Held at 10:00 AM, featuring uplifting music, expository preaching by Pastor Phil, and a welcoming environment. Services last approximately 70 minutes.
Sunday Life Groups: Meet at 5:00 PM for community and spiritual growth.
Wednesday Bible Studies: Offered at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM, focusing on deepening biblical understanding.
Children’s Ministries: Age-specific classes are available during Sunday services, including nursery and children’s classes, with a check-in at the welcome center.
Youth and College/Career Ministries: Dynamic programs aimed at engaging young people in faith-based activities.
Music Program: An excellent music ministry enhances worship services.
Missions Focus: The church supports missions, reflecting its commitment to spreading the Gospel locally and globally.
Family-Oriented Activities: A range of activities fosters a family-friendly atmosphere.
Biblical Counseling: Kristine Lien’s involvement in biblical counseling training suggests potential counseling services for members.

Affiliations:

Woodlands Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church, not formally affiliated with any denomination, such as the Southern Baptist Convention or other Baptist associations. Its independent status aligns with its doctrinal and operational autonomy.

Doctrinal Positions:

The church is Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-living, emphasizing the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, specifically the King James Version (KJV), as indicated by its listing on KJV Churches.
It focuses on expository preaching, where Pastor Phil seeks to faithfully proclaim the intended meaning of Scripture, applying practical biblical principles to everyday life.
The church holds to traditional Baptist doctrines, including salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the centrality of the Gospel, and a commitment to living out Christian faith in community.
Its worship emphasizes praise and thankfulness to God, with a missions-focused outlook to share the Gospel.

Christian School:

There is no current evidence that Woodlands Baptist Church operates a Christian school. While the church offers Bible training classes for all ages and children’s programs, these are part of its ministry and not a formal educational institution. In contrast, North Love Baptist Church previously had affiliations with North Love Christian School, but after the rebranding and leadership changes, no mention of a school is found in Woodlands Baptist Church’s current resources. For comparison, nearby Berean Baptist Church in Rockford operates Berean Baptist Christian School, but this is a distinct entity.

Additional Notes:

The church’s rebranding from North Love Baptist Church to Woodlands Baptist Church followed significant controversy, including lawsuits and allegations of misconduct against former leaders. The name change and leadership transition to Pastor Phil Lien reflect an effort to move forward.
The church encourages a welcoming, casual environment with no dress code, and offerings are not required from guests, emphasizing a gift of service to visitors.
For those considering involvement, some sources recommend caution due to the lack of public acknowledgment or repentance for past misconduct under the previous name, though the current leadership appears focused on renewal.

For more information or to confirm details, you can contact the church directly at (815) 877-6021 or visit their website.

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Website

Gathering Times
Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM
Sunday Life Groups: 5:00 PM
Wednesday Bible Studies: 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM

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