In 1974 Lynne married Bill Hybels, a youth pastor. A year later they started Willow Creek Community Church. Though Lynne had intended to become a social worker, she did not hesitate to commit her life to church ministry, convinced that God has given the local church a clear mandate to address the needs of “the whole person in the whole world.” For years she has been involved in Willow Creek’s ministry partnerships in under-resourced communities in Latin America and Africa.