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Corporate, NFL leaders highlight Willow Creek's DadFest

Willow Creek Community Church celebrated Father's Day with a couple of quarterbacks in their respective fields.

The 2015 DadFest featured Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric and Fortune Magazine's “Manager of the Century,” and NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins.

For Cousins, son of former Willow Creek Associate Pastor Don Cousins, it was a homecoming to where he spent half his life — and his home church.

“I grew up in Promiseland (the church's ministry for infants through grade 5) downstairs. So it's very special to be back,” he said.

Cousins spoke about how his dad guided him through adversity during his formative football years, especially after he broke his ankle in his first high school varsity football game. Coming into the game, Cousins, who hoped to play college football, knew it would be a big year for recruiting.

“By the time you get to your senior year, most of these schools have already figured out who they want,” he said.

After he came home from the hospital with a cast on his ankle, he had tears in his eyes as he told his father his season was over. He feared his college football dreams had disappeared as well.

“My dad said, ‘Kirk you don't know that. We have to trust in the Lord. He has got a plan.'”

Cousins said he followed the advice. A few years later was starring at Michigan State University and on his way to the NFL.

“Interesting now to look back and see God's faithfulness, because at a time in 2005 I said there is no way I can even play college football, I'm now going into my fourth year in the NFL,” he said.

Welch addressed the theme of leadership, directing some pointed remarks to employers.

“Whether you manage two people, 20 people or 2,000 people, (you) have a job to give your employees purpose, so that they come to work with a real purpose,” he said.

He said too many Americans workers feel disengaged from their work. Employers need to outline what their mission is and then talk about how to get there, he said.

Welch and Cousins highlighted Willow Creek's two-day DadFest, which also featured a car show, food, live music and kids activities.

Among those enjoying the weekend were Chris Kleemann of Hoffman Estates and his 12-year-old son, Joey.

“They always put together a real nice lineup of things to do,” Chris Kleeman said.

Curt Rogers, a father and grandfather who lives in Schaumburg, said he comes every year to the fest.

“The talks were very good. Kirk is a very fine young man, and I think he's going to be a good example to young people,” he said.

  NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, laughs at the Rev. Steve Carter's joke during DadFest on Sunday at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Mike Krebs/mkrebs@dailyherald.com
  NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks during DadFest on Sunday at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch also spoke during the event. Mike Krebs/mkrebs@dailyherald.com
  Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch speaks as a part of DadFest on Sunday at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Mike Krebs/mkrebs@dailyherald.com
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