This Sunday, Kai closed our Advent journey by reminding us that love is the why behind Christmas. From 1 Corinthians 13, we were invited to see love not as a feeling, but as an enduring act—one that draws us deeper into knowing Jesus and becoming more like Him. We were created to be His beloved, and we’re encouraged to keep praying that God would form us into a more loving people each day. Merry Christmas, Genesis 🤍Our next gathering will be in the new year on January 4th. Be sure to follow along on social media for updates, and check out our refreshed website for what’s ahead. We’re grateful for this season and excited for a new year with you all. We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission—seeking to live as the church together for the renewal of the world. Learn more at genesiscostamesa.com

This Week at Genesis | Peace In this Advent message, Hannah reflects on peace as God’s gracious response to human fear. From the garden, where humanity hides in shame, to the prophets who proclaim good news, Scripture reveals a God who seeks us out, covers our vulnerability, and draws near with mercy. Peace is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive as God comes near. Hannah also invites us to reconsider one of our most beloved Advent songs, Silent Night. What if the “silence” was not the quiet absence of noise, but the silencing of fear? In the birth of Jesus, the deepest anxieties of the world are met not with calm circumstances, but with the presence of a Savior. The night may not have been still, but fear no longer had the final word. Through the promises of Isaiah and the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we see that God’s peace unfolds through covenant faithfulness and redemption. The angel’s words—“Do not be afraid”—echo across generations, pointing to a salvation that shines light into darkness and guides our feet into the way of peace. Scripture & Themes📖 Scripture: Genesis 3:7–10, 21; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 11:5–9; Luke 1:5–25, 67–79✨ Themes: Peace, fear and hope, God’s presence, Advent, salvation About Genesis Costa Mesa:We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world.Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com/

This Week at Genesis | Advent Week 1 — The Joy of Christ This Sunday we hosted an Apprentice Sunday where we give opportunities to rising young leaders a chance to lead in our Sunday space, this week Judah and Tyler from Biola gave a wonderful sermon on Joy. Judah and Tyler opened our Advent season by leading us into the deep joy found in Christ. As part of our Apprentice Sunday, we created space for the youth of our church to step into their gifts, offering them the opportunity to learn, serve, and lead. Together, they guided us into the heart of Advent—beginning where Scripture begins: with good news of great joy. Rooted in Luke 2:8–14, they reminded us that joy is not grounded in circumstance but in the unchanging character of God. Joy comes from the safety, freedom, and hope found in a Savior who stepped into our world and into our story. Judah and Tyler walked us through:1. The history and meaning of Advent—a season of waiting, hope, and preparation.2. The good news of great joy—announced to shepherds and offered to all people.3. The joyful anticipation of His second coming—living in the tension of “already and not yet.” They also shared three practices that help us cultivate joy in everyday life:Walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16–25)Choose joy (Phil. 4:4)Suffer well (James 1:2–4) As we step into this season, we begin with joy—the kind that anchors us, strengthens us, and draws us deeper into the story of Jesus. 📖 Scripture: Luke 2:8–14; Galatians 5:16–25; Philippians 4:4; James 1:2–4✨ Themes: Joy in Christ, Advent, life in the Spirit, choosing joy, enduring through trial About Genesis Costa MesaWe are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

In the final chapter of Nehemiah, Chris closed our series by showing us that the story of renewal doesn’t end with perfectly rebuilt walls—but with the honest reality of human hearts. Nehemiah 13 opens with hope, yet ends in heartbreak as the people drift again and Nehemiah returns to find compromise, neglect, and spiritual forgetfulness. But instead of despair, this chapter gives us a sobering and timely reminder: the work God is doing in us is ongoing, sacred, and deeply dependent on His presence. The story calls us to become a people formed by practices that keep our hearts anchored to Him. Chris walked us through six defining cultures of a faithful people: A Culture of Biblical Priority — the people rediscover the Book of Moses (vv. 1–3) A Culture of Radicalism — Nehemiah clears the temple with fierce conviction (vv. 4–9) A Culture of Generosity — refusing to neglect the house of God (vv. 10–14) A Culture of Worship — reclaiming Sabbath as trust, rest, and remembrance (vv. 15–22) A Culture of Community — choosing covenant faithfulness over compromise (vv. 23–29) A Culture of Assignment — every person stepping into the work God gives (v. 30) 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 13✨ Themes: Renewal, holiness, cultural formation, spiritual drift, sacred assignment About Genesis Costa Mesa We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This Week at Genesis | Nehemiah 12Daena led us through Nehemiah 12 by reminding us that the true work of renewal is not the rebuilding of stones but the rebuilding of souls. Nehemiah shows us a community returning to the rhythms that reshape the heart—holy purification, right worship, and faithful offering. Through Scripture, church tradition, and prophetic warnings, we’re invited to see how easily the human heart drifts toward forgetfulness and self-reliance. From Hosea to Deuteronomy to Psalms, the story is the same: when God blesses us, we’re tempted to forget Him. Yet the call of Nehemiah 12 is a return—a recommitment to worship, holiness, and generosity as practices that realign our souls to God. This week was a sober but hope-filled reminder: renewal begins when worship is restored, when idolatry is confronted, and when our offerings flow from a heart wholly belonging to God. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 12; Hosea 13; Deuteronomy 8 & 31; Psalm 81✨ Themes: Renewal, worship, holiness, generosity, returning to God About Genesis Costa Mesa:We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This Week at Genesis | Nehemiah 9 This week, we walked through Nehemiah 9 — a moment where Israel remembers their whole story with God. The chapter reveals the pattern many of us know in our own lives: confession, freedom, wilderness, blessing, and rebellion. And yet, through every season, God’s mercy and faithfulness never waver. Nehemiah reminds us: We find God in confession — where our hearts are revealed and met with grace. We find God in freedom — remembering the One who delivers and sustains. We find God in the wilderness — even when we forget, resist, or wander. We find God in blessing — receiving provision we did not earn. We find God in rebellion — because He is the God who does not abandon His people. “But in Your great mercy You did not put an end to them or abandon them…” (Nehemiah 9:31) This is our foundation: a God who is mighty, merciful, and committed to dwelling with His people. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 9✨ Themes: God’s faithfulness, remembering our story, transformation of the heart About Genesis Costa Mesa We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. We seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more → https://www.genesiscostamesa.com

Tyler led us through Nehemiah 8, where Israel gathers to hear the Scriptures read aloud after returning from exile. What looks at first like a simple moment of renewed devotion is actually part of a much larger story — a story of longing for God’s presence to return. Nehemiah isn’t ultimately about leadership strategies or personal self-rebuild. It is the story of a God who refuses to give up on dwelling with His people. Israel rebuilt the temple, rebuilt the walls, and returned home — but the presence of God did not yet return. Their hearts still needed to be made new. This chapter points forward to the moment when “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us” (John 1:14) — Jesus Himself, the true presence of God dwelling with His people. And now, through the Holy Spirit, we are the temple — the dwelling place of God. The invitation for us today:“Holy Spirit, renew my heart. Make me a home for Your presence.” 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 8; John 1:14; Jeremiah 31; Zechariah 2✨ Themes: The presence of God, new hearts, longing & fulfillment, the Spirit dwelling in us About Genesis Costa Mesa We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: https://www.genesiscostamesa.com

This Week at Genesis | Nehemiah 6 This week, Deana continued our series through Nehemiah, reminding us that distraction, discredit, and fear are often the enemy’s tactics to pull us away from God’s work in our lives. Yet, like Nehemiah, we’re invited to remain steadfast — to stay at the wall, to pray for strengthened hands, and to courageously stand firm in what God has called us to build. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 6✨ Themes: Resisting distraction, standing firm in calling, perseverance in faith About Genesis Costa Mesa We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This week, Kai spoke from Nehemiah 5, showing us hope in Nehemiah and how to beautifully lends itself to today. In Him, He is our center, our peace, and our provider. Even when we feel we don’t have enough, God calls us to trust that He will give us more. Nehemiah 5 is a chapter of great hope—an invitation to become a people at peace, rooted not in circumstance but in Christ Himself. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 5🗓 Series: Nehemiah – Rebuilding Together🔔 Follow our Conversations series on YouTube and your favorite podcast apps. About Genesis Costa MesaWe are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This week, Chris taught from Nehemiah 4. In the midst of rebuilding, Nehemiah and his people faced relentless pressure—yet their persistence became a model for how we’re called to live: steadfast, courageous, and full of the Spirit. Chris challenged us to imagine what our church might look like if each of us carried the same resilient heart for God’s Spirit—pushing through fear, doubt, and imposter syndrome to pursue the sacred assignments before us. True human flourishing isn’t found in chasing happiness, success, or security, but in remembering the Lord and trusting that He is leading us toward victory. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 4🗓 Series: Nehemiah – Building Through Opposition🔔 Follow our Conversations series on YouTube and your favorite podcast apps. About Genesis Costa Mesa:We are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This week, Deana taught from Nehemiah 3. Nehemiah is not about a building project; it is about a people becoming attentive and responsive to God in the midst of rubble. As the people rebuilt the wall together, we are reminded that God’s work is not about structures but about hearts transformed and communities strengthened through obedience and unity. At Genesis, we are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Our heart is to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 3▶️ Follow our "A Sacred Assignment - Nehemiah series on YouTube and your favorite podcast apps.

This week in Nehemiah 2:11–20, Chris shared how God calls us to rebuild—not just walls, but lives shaped by love for Jesus, one another, worship, prayer, mission, and the Spirit’s leading. Nehemiah reminds us that every sacred assignment carries both weight and opposition, yet with God’s gracious hand on us, we’re invited to build something lasting and beautiful together. 🗓 Week 9: Nehemiah – Rebuilding Together📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11–20🔔 Follow along with the Nehemiah series under the Conversations tab About Genesis Costa MesaWe are a Jesus-centered community shaped by the table, worship, prayer, story, and mission. Together we seek to bring the gospel to the nations, raise up leaders, and plant new Jesus-communities—living as the church both locally and globally. We hold fast to Scripture, the presence of the Spirit, and the call to join God’s work of renewal in the world. Learn more at: genesiscostamesa.com

This week we continued our series in Nehemiah as Chris unpacked what it means to step into a sacred assignment. In Nehemiah 2, we see a man facing his greatest fears, carrying the weight of God’s calling, and stepping into opposition while holding on to God’s strength. From Nehemiah’s courage before the king, to the reminder that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10), we are invited to see how God’s assignments for our lives carry both challenge and purpose. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah 6, Galatians 1, Nehemiah 8 🔔 Follow along with the Nehemiah series under the Conversations tab

This Week at Genesis | Nehemiah 1:1–11Chris W began our new series on Nehemiah by showing us how what feels like an inconvenient placement can actually be God’s perfect positioning. Nehemiah was “just” a cupbearer, yet God used that role to prepare him for a much bigger purpose. In the same way, our circumstances—whether comfortable or inconvenient—are often the very spaces where God is working out His greater plan. 📖 Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1–11✨ Themes: God’s providence in our placement, finding purpose in inconvenience, trusting His bigger plan

This week at Genesis, we’re celebrating a new chapter—we’re moving! Chris takes us back through our history, highlighting where we’ve come from so we can better understand where God is leading us next. This move isn’t just about a new location, but about carrying forward the heart of Genesis into a new space where God can continue to grow and shape us. We hold onto the promise of Isaiah 54:2: “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” We believe God is calling us to expand and prepare for the future He has in store. 🗓 A new chapter is beginning📖 Scripture: Isaiah 54:2🔔 Stay tuned for details and ways to join us in this move

This week, Nick unpacks 1 Corinthians 14:1 and 14:39–40, exploring what it means to eagerly desire prophecy and to create space for God’s voice in our gatherings. He walks through the purpose of prophecy—foretelling, forth-telling, and building up the church—while encouraging us to approach it with love, humility, and a willingness to explore rather than claim expertise. 🗓 Week 8: Prophecy📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1, 14:39–40🔔 Follow along with our Summer of Simplicity series under the Conversations tab

This week at Genesis, Chris teaches on prophecy—what it is, why it matters, and how it reveals a God who speaks to His people. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 14 and voices across Scripture, this message explores how prophecy is meant to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the church. Chris also unpacks real examples of how the prophetic has been misused, while reminding us that it remains an invitation to participate in God's ongoing work with His people. 🗓 Week 7: Prophecy📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14, Jeremiah 1, Joel 2, Psalm 105 + more🔔 Follow along with our Summer of Simplicity series under the Conversations tab

This week at Genesis, we continued with our Summer of Simplicity series, focusing on the Scriptures, through a panel of community leaders, Hannah Walser, Ashley Varnadore, and Sam Jackson, led by Daena Dooley. Together, we explored what daily engagement with the Bible looks like—through honest reflections, personal rhythms, and practical applications from different voices in our community. 🗓 Week 6: The Scriptures (Part 2)🎙 Panel led by Daena Dooley🔔 Follow along with our Summer of Simplicity series under the Conversations tab

This week at Genesis, Tyler lays a foundational vision of what the Scriptures are—and how we’re meant to engage them. Through personal story and Exodus 17 & 24, we see that the Bible isn’t just a rulebook but a record of God’s ongoing relationship with His people. Scripture begins with encounter, covenant, and remembrance—and it’s meant to be wrestled with in community, not isolation. 🗓 Week 5: The Scriptures📖 Scripture: Exodus 17 & 24🔔 Follow along—next week, we’ll explore practical ways to engage the Bible in everyday life as we continue our Summer of Simplicity series under the Conversations tab

This week at Genesis, Chris sits down with a panel of our worship leaders—Stu, Danea, and Tyler—for an authentic conversation on worship. They share their personal backgrounds with worship, powerful stories, and their vision for how it can continue to shape and strengthen the Genesis community. 🗓 Week 4: Worship Panel🎙 Guests: Stu, Danea, and Tyler🔔 Follow along—next week, we dive into the theology of the Bible as we continue our Summer of Simplicity series under the Conversations tab