What Church Is “He Gets Us” Affiliated With? ⛪🔍
“He Gets Us” wants to reintroduce you to Jesus—no church required. But is that the whole story?
💡 Key Takeaways: Quick Answers to a Complex Campaign
| ❓Question | ✅ Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Is “He Gets Us” part of a specific church? | No, not officially. It claims no denominational ties. |
| Who runs it? | Come Near, a nonprofit ministry, not a church. |
| What’s its theology? | Evangelical. Aligned with the Lausanne Covenant. |
| Is it politically neutral? | Not entirely. Many funders support conservative causes. |
| Can any church join? | Yes, but churches must align with its theology. |
| Is funding transparent? | No. Its tax status shields donor identities. |
| Was it always managed by Come Near? | No. It started under The Servant Foundation (The Signatry). |
1. “He Gets Us” Isn’t a Church—But It’s Not Denomination-Free Either 🧭
While “He Gets Us” states it’s not affiliated with any single church, the campaign is clearly steeped in evangelical theology. Think of it like a media mission, not a church service.
| 🔎 Fact | 🧠 Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| It’s operated by Come Near, not a church. | Keeps the campaign broad, but not theology-free. |
| Churches involved must reflect the Lausanne Covenant. | Suggests evangelical alignment even without a specific denomination. |
| No Sunday services or pastors. | It’s not a congregation—it’s messaging. |
💬 Bottom Line: “He Gets Us” walks a fine line—no official church ties, but deeply rooted in conservative evangelical thought.
2. Who Really Runs the Campaign? Come Near Is at the Helm 🚤
Since 2024, Come Near has taken control of the project. They call themselves a “ministry,” not a church, and emphasize raising awareness about Jesus—not attendance at services.
| 🏢 Organization | 📌 Role in the Campaign |
|---|---|
| Come Near | Current manager, ministry-based, not a congregation. |
| The Servant Foundation (The Signatry) | Original backer and fund manager until 2024. |
| Gloo, YouVersion, Christianity Today | Partners amplifying outreach in evangelical circles. |
🧾 Tax Insight: Come Near is classified under 509(a)(1)—a tax category usually reserved for churches, which shields it from filing public financial records like Form 990.
⚠️ Why That’s Complicated: It allows anonymity in funding, making it tough to trace where the money comes from or how it’s spent.
3. So, What Theology Is Behind It? 📖
Even without a statement of beliefs, the campaign leans heavily on the Lausanne Covenant—a 1974 evangelical declaration led by John Stott and Billy Graham.
| 🧩 Belief | ✝️ Evangelical Standpoint |
|---|---|
| Jesus as Savior | Central and exclusive path to salvation. |
| Scripture is authoritative | Bible as the ultimate truth. |
| Evangelism is key | Sharing the message of Jesus globally. |
✅ Churches that partner must align with this ethos, which steers the campaign away from more progressive or mainline theology.
4. Is the Campaign Politically Neutral? Depends Who You Ask 🗳️
The messaging—love, inclusion, forgiveness—is broadly appealing. But behind the scenes, it gets more complex.
🔍 Known Funders:
- David Green (Hobby Lobby founder) has publicly funded the campaign.
- The Signatry, its previous manager, has funded Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group supporting anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ policies.
📣 While “He Gets Us” doesn’t promote political messages outright, its major backers do, raising questions about its real-world agenda.
| ⚖️ Public Message | 🧠 Background Concerns |
|---|---|
| “Jesus understands us all.” | Donors fund culture war litigation. |
| “No denomination attached.” | Evangelical roots are unmistakable. |
5. Can Any Church Join? Only If They Share the Vision 🔗
Over 20,000 churches have partnered with “He Gets Us”, ranging from Baptists to Pentecostals. There’s no denomination requirement—but there is a theological filter.
💬 From the campaign’s site: Churches don’t need to adopt a new creed, but must resonate with the Lausanne Covenant.
| ✅ Welcomed | 🚫 Not Likely to Fit |
|---|---|
| Evangelical, nondenominational, Baptist | Churches with progressive theology or universalism |
| Churches emphasizing Bible and salvation | Congregations with inclusive, pluralistic teachings |
👥 Gloo, one of the tech partners, connects interested people with churches that opt in—but these churches are already vetted for alignment.
6. What About the Money? Where Does It Come From? 💰
That’s the million-dollar question—literally. The campaign is privately funded, and due to its tax setup, not required to disclose donors.
🧾 Key Points:
- Come Near’s tax status exempts it from transparency.
- Donor-advised funds, like The Signatry, obscure individual contributions.
- Known donor: David Green (Hobby Lobby), linked to conservative Christian values.
| 💵 Funding Source | 🔒 Transparency Level |
|---|---|
| The Signatry (2022–2024) | Low |
| Come Near (2024–Present) | Very Low |
| Individual donors (mostly anonymous) | Unknown |
📌 Tip for Readers: Don’t mistake polished ads for neutrality. Behind every campaign is a funding philosophy—especially when tax rules make those philosophies hard to see.
Final Thoughts: Independent? Yes. Apolitical or Denomination-Free? Not Quite. 🎯
“He Gets Us” isn’t run by a church, but it’s very much a product of evangelical Christianity—particularly conservative strains. Its broad, compassionate messaging is real, but the machinery behind it leans toward a specific theological and cultural worldview.
So when you see the ad about Jesus being misunderstood, loving outsiders, or caring for the poor—it’s sincere. But it’s also strategically crafted to fit within a larger, well-funded evangelical framework that stretches far beyond your screen.
🧠 Summary: Is “He Gets Us” Affiliated With a Church?
| 🏷️ Element | ✅ Details |
|---|---|
| Church Affiliation | No official church or denomination |
| Theology | Evangelical (Lausanne Covenant) |
| Managing Org | Come Near (not a church) |
| Funding Transparency | Low (church-like tax exemption) |
| Political Leaning | Mixed messaging, conservative funders |
| Eligible Churches | Evangelical-aligned, not progressive |
FAQs 🧾✨
🗣️ COMMENT: “If it’s not a church, why is it allowed to use a church tax status?”
That’s a sharp observation, and one that deserves a closer look.
The organization managing “He Gets Us”—Come Near—is registered under the IRS code 509(a)(1). This category is typically reserved for churches, associations of churches, or groups that behave similarly in a religious capacity. Here’s where it gets complex:
| 📌 IRS Designation | 🔍 What It Means |
|---|---|
| 509(a)(1) | Treated like a church—no public tax return required |
| No 990 filings | Donors, salaries, and spending remain private |
| Limited oversight | Less transparency compared to most nonprofits |
Why does this matter? While Come Near says it’s not a church, this legal status grants it the same privacy protections. Critics argue it’s a strategic move to avoid financial scrutiny, especially given the campaign’s massive media buyouts and high-profile Super Bowl ads.
🗣️ COMMENT: “How are churches vetted before partnering with He Gets Us?”
Churches don’t just click a button and join—there’s a vetting process in place, though it’s not always transparent to the public. Here’s what we know:
- Churches must affirm alignment with the “spirit” of the Lausanne Covenant—a foundational evangelical document.
- There’s no formal theological quiz, but red flags would likely be raised for churches promoting universalism, pluralism, or progressive doctrine.
- Vetting is typically conducted through platforms like Gloo, which helps match seekers with participating churches.
| ✅ Requirement | ❌ Not Accepted |
|---|---|
| Belief in salvation through Christ alone | Teachings that suggest all paths lead to God |
| High view of Biblical authority | Rejection of key evangelical doctrine |
| Active evangelism or outreach culture | Passive or symbolic Christian identity |
In essence, it’s less about denominational label and more about theological heartbeat.
🗣️ COMMENT: “What is the Lausanne Covenant, and why does it matter here?”
Excellent question—this one gets to the theological root of the campaign.
The Lausanne Covenant is a 1974 document crafted by evangelical leaders, including John Stott and Billy Graham, to unite Christians globally around core evangelical convictions.
| 📜 Core Beliefs in Lausanne Covenant | 🔍 Implications for ‘He Gets Us’ |
|---|---|
| The Bible is God’s true word | Campaign avoids progressive interpretations |
| Jesus is the only path to salvation | Messaging is focused on Christ-centered redemption |
| Christians must evangelize | Explains the large-scale, seeker-focused media approach |
| Missions and outreach are essential | Justifies the digital tools connecting people to churches |
Though He Gets Us claims no “statement of beliefs,” the Lausanne Covenant acts as its unspoken theological spine.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Can progressive or inclusive churches join the movement?”
Not likely, and here’s why:
While “He Gets Us” aims to look inclusive in messaging, theologically inclusive churches—those embracing LGBTQ+ clergy, universal salvation, or non-literal views of Scripture—may not be welcomed as partners.
There’s no public blacklist, but these churches would likely fail alignment with the campaign’s evangelical underpinnings.
| 🌈 Progressive Trait | ❌ Campaign Fit |
|---|---|
| LGBTQ+ affirming doctrine | Likely misaligned |
| Multiple paths to God theology | Incompatible with Lausanne Covenant |
| Deemphasizing evangelism | Conflicts with core outreach focus |
The result? While the ads feel open-armed, the church filter is tight-laced.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Does funding from conservative donors affect the messaging?”
Yes—and no. Let’s unpack that.
On the surface, “He Gets Us” features unifying, gentle portrayals of Jesus—a refugee, a peacemaker, a misunderstood figure. But these portrayals are framed within a conservative theological structure.
Here’s the subtle influence of donor ideology:
| 💰 Donor Influence | 🧠 Effect on Campaign |
|---|---|
| Conservative Christian backers (e.g., David Green) | Messaging avoids divisive hot-button issues but aligns with evangelical worldview |
| Donor-advised funds like The Signatry | Obscure donor intentions and prevent public accountability |
| No disclosure of financial backers | Leaves questions about whether funding shapes strategy |
So while the visual tone is soft, the doctrinal position is firm, and that framing often reflects the values of the wealthy evangelical donor class behind the scenes.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Is ‘He Gets Us’ a stepping stone to political agendas?”
There’s no public admission of political intent—but many observers are connecting the dots.
- Several donors are tied to anti-abortion litigation and religious liberty campaigns.
- The Alliance Defending Freedom—a Signatry recipient—has led high-profile culture war cases.
- Yet, He Gets Us presents Jesus as an apolitical figure, emphasizing love and empathy.
| 🏛️ Public Message | 🎯 Private Ecosystem |
|---|---|
| “Jesus loves the outsider.” | Donors advocate for conservative policies on abortion, marriage, and education. |
| “We’re not political.” | Core funders often are. |
The campaign itself doesn’t endorse candidates or legislation, but the financial ecosystem around it is very politically active.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Why does this campaign matter if I’m not religious?”
Because it’s not just about belief—it’s about media, influence, and culture.
“He Gets Us” is one of the most expensive religious campaigns in U.S. history, reaching millions during major sporting events. Regardless of your faith stance:
- It’s shaping public narratives about who Jesus is.
- It’s setting a tone for Christian outreach in modern media.
- It’s establishing a template for private religious campaigns influencing public discourse.
| 📺 Platform | 📣 Reach & Impact |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl ads | Tens of millions reached in 30 seconds |
| YouTube, social, billboards | Constant digital engagement |
| Church partnerships | Quietly linking media with ministry pipelines |
Even if you don’t attend church, you’re still likely hearing this message, making it a topic worth understanding fully.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Why doesn’t ‘He Gets Us’ just be honest about its evangelical ties?”
That’s a valid question. The campaign walks a strategic tightrope between mass appeal and theological identity. The goal is broad reach, especially to people who’ve disconnected from church or religion altogether. Declaring it overtly evangelical might cause immediate cultural or ideological resistance in audiences already skeptical of organized religion.
| 🎯 Intentional Messaging | 🚧 Avoided Terminology |
|---|---|
| Focuses on Jesus’s humanity and relatability | Avoids labels like “evangelical” or “conservative” |
| Designed to spark curiosity in secular spaces | Steers clear of denominational jargon |
Evangelical alignment is embedded in the architecture, but the messaging stays soft so more people will lean in instead of tuning out.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Why does it feel like a commercial instead of a ministry?”
The campaign intentionally mirrors modern marketing, using storytelling, emotional appeal, and high-end production values to reframe how Jesus is perceived. It borrows tactics from mainstream advertising, not traditional pulpit preaching.
| 🎥 Media Strategy | 🛒 Marketing Method |
|---|---|
| 30-second TV ads with dramatic visuals | Mimics consumer brand advertising |
| Focus on emotional identification with Jesus | Uses brand psychology—relatability over doctrine |
| Calls to action like “learn more” or “connect” | Driven by lead-generation funnels, like e-commerce |
This isn’t accidental. It’s a campaign built to feel like Nike or Apple, because the target audience is people more likely to scroll than sit in pews.
🗣️ COMMENT: “What does Come Near actually do besides run this campaign?”
Come Near is still relatively new and intentionally lean in structure. It’s built to operate as a media ministry, not a congregation or missions organization. Its primary function is to run campaigns like ‘He Gets Us’, fund creative outreach, and facilitate digital connections between seekers and churches.
| 🧰 Function | 🧩 Scope |
|---|---|
| Oversees “He Gets Us” strategy and execution | National media, local church engagement, digital tools |
| Holds nonprofit status with church-style IRS protections | No financial disclosures required |
| Acts as intermediary between donors and outreach platforms | Blends philanthropy with faith messaging |
There are no brick-and-mortar locations, no Sunday services. It’s a backend engine for Christian storytelling, fueled by private donations and guided by a clear evangelical vision.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Why are donations anonymous if it’s a public campaign?”
The structure of donor-advised funds and church-classified nonprofits like Come Near is designed to maximize donor privacy. This appeals to philanthropists who want to support faith-based initiatives without facing public scrutiny or backlash.
| 🔐 Privacy Feature | 💡 Implication |
|---|---|
| 509(a)(1) status = no public IRS Form 990 | Keeps donors, salaries, and spending confidential |
| Donor-Advised Funds like The Signatry filter donations | Layers financial support behind intermediaries |
| No legal obligation to name funders | Protects high-net-worth evangelicals from media attention |
While legal, this secrecy invites distrust, especially when the campaign projects radical inclusivity, but is backed by funders with conservative social agendas.
🗣️ COMMENT: “Why does a Jesus campaign cost so much?”
Running a high-profile, national awareness campaign in the current media landscape is extremely expensive. Consider that one Super Bowl ad alone costs over $7 million—not including production or media management.
| 💰 Major Costs | 🧾 Why They Add Up |
|---|---|
| National TV ad slots (Super Bowl, prime time) | Massive exposure, high per-second rates |
| Digital ad placement on YouTube, social media | Pay-per-click and engagement-based spending |
| Web development, film crews, copywriters | Professional-grade storytelling isn’t cheap |
This isn’t church newsletter outreach. It’s a full-scale media blitz, designed to compete with commercial brands for attention and influence in a noisy world.
🗣️ COMMENT: “If they care about Jesus, why not just support existing churches?”
Many funders and leaders involved already do support traditional churches, but this campaign addresses a specific gap: the spiritually curious but institutionally hesitant population.
| 🧭 Target Audience | 🙏 Why Traditional Churches Struggle Here |
|---|---|
| People burned by religion but open to Jesus | Fear of judgment or bad past experiences |
| Unchurched Millennials and Gen Z | Less likely to walk into a church, more likely to click a video |
| Spiritually neutral, culturally distant from Christianity | Prefer gentle entry points over theological debate |
“He Gets Us” functions like a front porch, not a sanctuary. It doesn’t replace church—it tries to gently guide people toward one.
🗣️ COMMENT: “How does someone know which churches are safe or affirming if they connect through the campaign?”
This is where things get complicated. The campaign does not publicly disclose vetting details for partner churches beyond Lausanne Covenant alignment. That means:
- Churches are evangelical in doctrine, but not necessarily uniform in cultural stance.
- There’s no published list of affirming churches for LGBTQ+ individuals or others seeking specific types of safety.
- Users must contact the recommended church directly or do further research.
| 🔎 What’s Known | ❔ What’s Unclear |
|---|---|
| All partners must support the campaign’s theological ethos | Whether churches affirm LGBTQ+ members or support women in leadership |
| Digital connections made via Gloo’s church-matching tool | No indication of cultural policies or inclusivity practices |
This ambiguity can create risk or disappointment, especially for seekers who equate “He Gets Us” messages with universal acceptance, but then encounter doctrinal restrictions upon follow-up.
