Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Its Willow Creek Association serves as a resource to thousands of churches that share an "outward-focused" emphasis.

Bill pursued biblical studies at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. He and Lynne are the parents of two adult children.

My brother Dan and I recently reminisced about times we'd sailed with Dad on Lake Michigan. We remembered violent storms with 50-mile-an-hour winds. The other sailors would dash for the harbor, but Dad, smiling from ear to ear, would say, "Let's head out farther!" We talked about tough decisions we saw him make. We winced, remembering his firm hand of discipline that blocked our rebellious streaks.

Yet for 25 years he spent nearly every Sunday afternoon standing in front of a hundred mentally retarded women at the state mental hospital. Few of them could even sing, but he patiently led them in a song service, knowing it made them feel loved. Afterward our 6'3", 220-pound dad stood by the door while each of those disheveled, broken women planted kisses on his cheek.

Your boys are watching you like hawks, trying to figure out what maleness is all about. I hope they see in you a deep, uncompromising love for God. I hope they see both toughness and tenderness. If they do, you've served them well.