Mariners Church is a non-denominational, Christian megachurch located in Irvine, California, situated in central Orange County, and as of 2022 was the 41st largest church in the United States by number of attendees as well as one of the fastest growing. Eric Geiger is the current Senior Pastor of Mariners Church, assuming the role in 2018 after a six month search process. The previous Senior Pastor, Kenton Beshore, who began his career at Mariners Church as the College Pastor in 1978, led the church from 1984-2018 and remains actively involved as Pastor Emeritus. A podcast detailing the transition process and continued partnership of Beshore and Geiger is set to release in 2024. Geiger received his doctorate in leadership and church ministry from Southern Seminary, and is the author of several books including the best-selling church leadership book, Simple Church. Under his leadership, Mariners Church has grown to seven locations in Southern California, expanded its digital and online offerings (including virtual worship experiences and small groups), and brought worship services to the Orange County Rescue Mission, Orangewood Children’s Home, Sunburst Youth Academy, senior living facilities, and prisons throughout North America. Congregation and style of worship In 2016, Mariners averaged about 17,000 attendees per week among its five campuses, making it one of the largest churches in the United States. The church's membership has been described as "drawn from two affluent, predominately white communities, [and having] a generous sprinkling of the financially successful and socially prominent." According to Beshore, “Many of these people work in the business world. They’re pragmatic; either something works or it doesn’t. They’re aggressive, not passive, searchers. So they find out real quick if we’re real." Like many megachurches, it has a casual style of worship. Beshore preached a series of sermons with the theme that "Jesus hates religion." Outreach Mariners actively serves both locally and globally to meet the needs of others, enlisting hundreds of church attenders to participate in active partnerships with Lighthouse Community Center, Orange County Rescue Mission, as well as the operation of its own food pantry and onsite thrift store. Beliefs The church is not affiliated with a specific denomination but adheres to a specific Statement of Faith. History Buildings and facilities Mariners Church began as a small group of Christians who met for Bible studies in homes in the Newport Beach area starting in 1963. In 1964, this group organized the first