If I had to describe our church in just one word, it would be: unpretentious.

We could almost hang a sign above the entrance that says, “What you see here is what you get.” These last four days of what we called Chasing God reminded me just how true that is.

We began the week with three days of fasting — a practice that doesn’t leave much room for pretending. When you fast, you face yourself and God with open hands.

On the first night, Pastor Mark set the tone with a simple challenge: “Burn the boats.” If we’re going to follow God, half-heartedness won’t get us there.

The next night, Sam Gibson asked, “Who will take the burden of the Lord?” That kind of invitation can only be answered with sincerity.

Then came Jay Pathak’s story — ten miraculous phone calls confirming his call to plant a church in Colorado. It gave us goosebumps. But the real weight came from Mrs. John Wimber, a pioneer of the Vineyard movement. She offered the prophetic interpretation: “It’s because it’s going to be hard.” No pretending there. Following Jesus has always come with both joy and cost.

Earlier, Jay reminded us that God works through simple, faithful things — parking cars, opening homes to groups, showing kindness. Then he invited us to be honest about our weaknesses.

We broke into small groups to pray and confess. My wife shared her desire for more discipline in exercise. Someone else admitted he wanted more consistency in his personal devotions. And I confessed my struggle with pride.

The very next night, Kevin Clark spoke on humility. His words pierced like light through a crack in a wall. Pride is the master of pretense, and I felt God’s hand gently pressing on that part of my heart. But as Kevin reminded us, “God gives grace to the humble.” Transparency is humbling. But it’s also freeing. And grace lives in that space.

Jay spoke of this present move of God among the next generation. He said, “God hasn’t done anything like this in the last 45 years.” He was remembering the Charismatic revival of the late sixties — the one that crossed denominational lines and eventually birthed the Vineyard movement. That wave eventually receded in the 80s. I can’t help but wonder if pretense had something to do with it.

I lived through that time. Many ministries were built on personality and star power. Flaws were hidden. Confessions came later, often painfully.

Today, I see something different. Our leaders aren’t celebrities. They’re vulnerable. Approachable. Down to earth. Their strongest credential: authenticity. Esteemed, yes. But not idolized. And that’s something to be grateful for.

At our church, you can come as you are. Enjoy a cup of coffee. Dress down. Ask honest questions. Perfection isn’t the standard. Honesty is. That’s the only qualification Jesus ever asked for anyway.

I’m grateful to be chasing a God who ate with sinners, Who understands our weaknesses, Who washed our feet instead of demanding we wash His.

And I’m just as grateful to walk this road with others who are learning to do the same — unpolished, humble, and unpretentious.

Chasing God isn’t about performance. It’s about presence. And I thank God… I’m not chasing alone.