The best. Amazing community, lovely people, unashamed truth. This is definitely the best church…read moreI've ever been to

I wanted to get on here since I have been coming to the Balboa campus for around 7 years. I truly…read moreappreciate how Awaken is built to bring you into understanding that you are loved, valued, cherished... they have a whole event called "Cherish" for women!! It's incredible and such a wonderful experience to truly understand how God loves us individually since they know there's a Spirit of the Living God that can speak through people. I just want to say that I have heard the Pastors speak countless times and I don't feel like it's all about money. They are simply concerned that people may not see the value of putting a little money in the hands of God. They use the money for sooo many good causes..several missions trips a year and sooo much more. One time I brought a man in serious need of help and he got into a literal rehab where he received the medicine he needed for free because of a program they have at Awaken. The man even gave his life to Jesus and told me this afterwards. He's not drinking anymore. Thanks Pastor Mark! The recovery program is probably THE BEST because it's getting to a root cause of sooo many issues based on relationships that formed us at a young age. We learn to heal all issues revolving around Love Addiction, Codependency, Drug, and Alcohol Addiction among other issues. I just don't recall Pastor Becky or Jon ever going on about nice things...in fact they haven't talked about their home which they went through sooooo much to acquire. I go to women's prayer every Tuesday as well and they set aside time to pray for the nation since it's really a game changing principle to not only pray powerfully without fear or shame but come boldly before Our Father in Heaven because he wants to Yes & Amen our Words!! The Lead Pastor Jergen always says, "We will eat the fruit of our words!" So why not declare with beautiful, life giving words. Also, to add that they are a fashionable bunch but I actually now don't spend money on clothes!!! I have gotten away from a serious addiction to shopping. I think you have to attend a church for a good while to get a fair assessment and then share your testimony in a good Yelp Review!!! :) One more thing though...just that the church has really changed my whole life. Why? Because I think humans tend to be offended and I needed to understand the perspective that I had. I needed to forgive others ... And then myself. I couldn't continue to hear others in a healthy way if I was not healthy myself. I really think getting around people who are super loving and supportive in Connect groups changed that for me. Along with the vision I needed for buying my dream car and other things that are not as important as my transformation internally but indicative of the heart change because I look to God for answers when I need it since I am not married and well, he's there for me! Never ever fails!

Went for the first time while visiting family for the weekend. Really awesome service, even…read morerewatched the service on YouTube (and subscribed to their channel) it was that good. If I ever move to AZ I know where I'll be going for church!

The Pastor didn't even acknowledge Charlie Kirk in Sunday service. Our nation just lost arguably…read morethe boldest Christian of our time, AND NOT EVEN A PRAYER FOR HIS FAMILY. disappointing and sad. On a weekend that a lot of people was looking for leadership and God's Grace. The lead pastor decided to stick to what they had planned 2 months ago for this Sunday service. Miss Pastor Mike leadership. Long story short, looking for new home church!!!

This church helped me overcome the witchcraft stuff I had gotten into and for the last almost 4…read moreyears they have been there counseling me through everything in my life. I had anger, regrets, resentment, a drinking habit, a past in voodoo and tarot cards, and couldn't seem to keep my relationships. I didn't hide anything and brought it all to Pastor Ben and with a smile and God given wisdom and knowledge he has coached me to the point that I am unrecognizable. I have witnessed miracles at this church so much that I got mad that I had bad knees at 22 from wrestling and commanded my knees to be healed and it was so!! I drive from Long Beach to San Diego as often as possible just to be around a miracle working church like this. Thank you Tsidkenu and Pastor Ben, you have changed my life for the rest of my life.

God Bless you, All. I want to mention..... I needed to Reply back that I don't know if the Pastor…read moreknows the Serious Severity of his decision for me to "Take a Break", this year. But, I Know God Allowed it. It was Devastating and Tbh, Idk if I will ever Get over it. It Caused Great Harm. The Sabotoge was so Great. But, I Know Jesus is More Powerful than the Sabotoge and Witchcraft, Overall. Lots of people were Hurt by the Pastor and Leadership. People who Genuinely Loved this Church and wanted to Be Here & Grow in Christ. I Shared my sins and Vulnerabilities, coz I Needed Help. . . For them to be used Against me..... was ( I don't have the words for it.) I Know the Stuff I share Here is Embarrassing. But, it's Real. It's TMI + Personal. But, this is my Story. And, what I Experienced. But, God will Get the Glory when He Restores and Fixes Everything, in Jesus' Name, Amen! As He is a God of Miracles, the Supernatural, and Restoration. And, I Do Believe in Miracles. It wasn't ok that the Pastor Knew I was gong through DV and that I was Separated through the Holidays.... And, instead of Offering Any Support or Connection with the people at Church...(And, I Just GOT Through the Holidays....which was Really Hard, Btw) & so, After the Holidays... Early Jan....that was when he Directed me to go to Therapy and to "Take a Break", from Church. Note: This Church Helped me Over the years, as I tuned in~ online, while being in DV, Narcissistic Abuse ... as it got Worst over the years. . In 2024, at this Point, it was the Only thing that got me Up + Out of Bed. I Trusted them, with my Life. And, Soul. Not being Able to go to Church Tk, where I gleaned from, was Devastating and Took a Major Hit, in my Life. But, I Know Rejection is God's Protection. And, Therapy? For a Church that Casts out demons..... Lols. Ok. But, I Know it's because he didn't Know how to Help me. I wasn't asking for Much...Just Empathy. ( Note: I Took my Recovery Journey Srsly. And, have been going for Almost 4 years...since 2020... Plus doing my doing my Research, as I was Fighting for my Life Against Narc Abuse, Gaslighting and Manipulation. I Fought so Hard to be Here, at this Church, over the Years, Admist Abuse... + Spiritual Warfare. I don't Believe he or the Other Leaders , or whomever Read my Prayers on their Website, Understood, How Hard I Already it. The Aftermath of what Happened this year, Has been Devastating...despite, the HUGE Victory Had, in 2024. No Accountability or Reconciliation had taken place, Yet. And, it's Been a year. Unfortunately, None with the others who were Hurt/Harmed by this Church (who were Here Before me + didn't Speak up) were Taken as Well. . And, it Already has been a couple of years, since they Left.... * So, this Church Culture Equip the Saints & 'Send people Out', through the Fire Academy Delieverance Training, which is Very Good. But, I Also Noticed there IS a High Turn over rate. When I First spoke up Earlier, this year, & Exposed things, there had been Lots of Image Control, which is....Manipulation. The Worship is very Sincere. But, I also don't think the Pastor's wife, really Knew what was going on....if she was Allowed to Read my Reviews, ....in the Beginning. Note: I've Already Experienced Spiritual Abuse, in a Previous Cult Experience, Prior. . . on my way Trying to Find Jesus in the Church...... In Religious cults, when the Church or Leadership is called out. . There is More Serving, more 'Good' Religious deeds, Great Preaching, Anointed Worship to Not Look like there's a Problem, or that they are not in the Wrong. It's Manipulation, when No Accountability is Taken. They're Devoted and On Fire, Yes. But, there Still Needs to Be Accountability... (Please Note: to the Unbelievers + Skeptics Out There, Reading..... This Experience wasn't & Isn't God because ***** God is LOVE. God is SAFE. And, God is GOOD. ...Despite, the Bad. God is NOT Control. Control is Manipulation & Witchcraft...) My Intentions for Exposure, even at the Expense of having to Share Personal detail, is for Accountability. I Truly had a Love for this Church. ...... So, the Damage has Been done. Although, I will Not Limit God/Jesus. As He's Still on the Throne. But, It's going to Take a HUGE Miracle. I Hope God will Truly Have His Way Here, concerning All This, as This Church was one of the Best. I Wish Everyone well..... JESUS Wins. And, It is Finished. God Bless you, Daughter of the King Ps) I don't Appreciate whoever is praying delieverance on me, making me Sneeze. I don't know your Intentions, nor do you have my Trust. I don't Appreciate you Entering my Sphere. What is Needed is Reconciliation, not Power Plays. God Bless you Edit: Again, I don't Like whomever Prayed for me to Sneeze ...After I Stated my Boundary, Here.. that really Upset me. I'm gonna Need more than that to Repair my Entire Life, of the damages done. Note: Ppl Laughing, Gossiping at This. God has a way of Turning Tables.

Very impressed!!! God's word is preached whole heartedly, people more than friendly, and the…read moreservice in the community blew my mind. They seem to be on the cusp of a real and radical change within the church.....a change focused on serving others and caring for the needs of the community. Seriously, they have mission projects every week!! I will be coming back because I want to serve!! I feel God has called us to do more than attend church once a week and this church is practicing what I believe the Bible commands. FBCC is my new home!!!

Beth, one of the important staff of this church does not represent an embodiment of a church I…read morewould like to be a part of from my personal experience with her in past dealings, meetings and many conversations with her. My personal experience with the pastor, her husband was that he was kind and genuine, but then publicly tried to humiliate and hurt others blindly instead of only going after the right people if that is even something Jesus would do or condone. I personally helped this church myself to resolve an issue they had a while back and even donated them money out of my own pocket without ever making a dime from them or off of them. I did it so they knew I was a sincere christian and wanted to help them and serve the best way I could in the situation I was put in and saw them in. Yet, after helping this church, serving them, giving them the kind gestures, Beth still left her terrible and false review up all this time years later and I never even received a thank you from her or anyone at the church. I have served many churches, go on mission work all over the world and am involved with numerous high quality organizations and non profits. It has blessed me in knowing so many kind and sincere people that I am truly thankful for. Through that, it is clear to me that this church is more concerned with for profit than non profit and less about living by example of Jesus Christ. Your staff is a reflection of the church you embody.

For over two years now I've been coming to The Unity Center, and my life is sincerely better for…read moreit. My previous review still stands, but I wanted to provide a little update on logistics. The Unity Center recently switched to just one Sunday Service at 10 a.m. which combines meditation, message and music. Before and after service, Sangha Cafe is open, as well as the Partners Fair Trade Boutique. Pet Adoption Sunday is still usually the last Sunday of the month and features all kinds of pet rescue groups (yes, cats and small animals too!). If Sunday at 10 am. doesn't work with your schedule, there's still a lot happening! Check the website for the schedule and you'll find that meditation, spiritual classes, drum circles, Life Groups and others are happening on many different days. Additionally, there's a Gift-It Program for Unity participants on Facebook where we often share things with each other. (Similar to the Buy Nothing Groups that encourage community and neighborhood sharing/gifting). Unity is for everyone. Come join us!

I started my Journey into faith with The Unity Center in 1988. It was called the Church of Today…read morethen. I go to another Unity church now that is closer to my home. However I am ever thankful for the foundation, knowledge, friends and personal growth I experienced attending Wendy's lessons. She is one of a kind!

It is deeply disheartening to have to write this, but several recurring issues prevent this church…read morefrom becoming the welcoming, impactful ministry it could be. Despite presenting an open front, the social culture remains intensely cliquish and insular. Because the core community predominantly revolves around a specific demographic, catering largely to an inner Korean circle and a select few who fit a narrow profile, anyone outside that mold is quickly ostracized rather than embraced. This lack of genuine warmth is mirrored from the pulpit. While pastors David, Patrick, and Robert frequently highlight their master's degrees in biblical theology, the teaching itself is remarkably basic and recycled. The sermons rarely move beyond surface-level platitudes, offering little intellectual substance or spiritual growth for long-term believers. Compounding this, the leadership's focus appears heavily skewed by divisive political alignments, including overt pro-MAGA and pro-Israel rhetoric, which alienates members who come seeking Christ-centered discipleship rather than partisan agendas. Finally, the church's presence in the broader local community is virtually nonexistent. Organized outreach and service initiatives are rarely prioritized, leaving vulnerable populations, such as unhoused neighbors, largely overlooked. A healthy church should be defined by humble hospitality, robust theological depth, genuine community care, and spiritual unity. Regrettably, this congregation consistently falls far short of that standard.

If you're looking for a reformed non-denominational church devoted to teaching the bible is your…read morestop. Fire sermons. Food is a bus. Good people, good vibes. W church.

When my husband and I decided over 27 years ago to get married, we thought, "who would marry us,…read moretwo divorcees?!" He thought right away of a priest who was a longtime fellow Rotarian, Father Sanders. We met with Father Sanders who was the rector at that time. Immediately we were welcomed and felt at home. Father Sanders married us, and we had two boys who were raised at Good Sam. Both my father-in-law who moved in with us from NJ, and my mother worshipped with us at Good Sam for many years. Our Good Sam family mourned with us when my father-in-law and my mother passed. I hold wonderful memories of learning, serving and celebrating at Good Sam. From our forums, Bible Studies, prayer ministry, and serving the under-privileged, I feel that this is where I grew, and continue to grow as a Christian. My fondest memories are from the time my boys went to Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and Youth Group activities. I also love our Ladies Annual High Tea, Ingathering Feast, and Meditative Drumming. This past year of the Pandemic, our Rev Janine Schenone and her team were able to lead us to worship online, with daily prayers and Sunday services. We are now worshipping in person in our spacious sanctuary. Our services are also available on Zoom, FB and Youtube. Sunday school which was online from March 2020 till June 2021, will resume in person Sept 12, 2021. I have met quite a few angels at Good Sam; they have helped me grow and get through many life events. I know I will continue to do so!

I appreciate Good Sam so much. The priest Janine and our liaison Deann have been so wonderful and…read morekingdom-minded in helping us support our ministry needs - from our devotions times, prayer mtgs and staff gatherings. They have been so gracious and accommodating to bless our ministry and God's work at the UCSD campus. Thankful for their heart for ministering to college students here at UCSD.

My favorite church The pastor teaches the Word of God and speaks from his heart! The community is…read moreso loving and welcoming. Worship here is great and the sermons are always on point! 10/10 recommend anyone looking for a church in san diego to come and visit!

Love this church and their love of both the Clairemont community and missions around the world!read more