My First American Church… and Why Germany Completely Got Faith Wrong.

This episode took me somewhere I never expected — into an American church for the very first time.
My wonderful neighbors, Anita and Gary, who welcomed me so openly into their film-business world, invited me to visit CORE Church in Los Angeles.

Coming from Germany, church has always felt… stiff. Bureaucratic. Corporate. Tradition over spirit. I believe in God — deeply — but back home I practiced quietly, alone.
And suddenly I walk into a church in LA that feels alive: music, culture, emotion, community.
Something Germany lost a long time ago.

Within minutes I was welcomed, seen, invited — even asked to join for dinner and learn more about the community. It was the first time faith felt like connection instead of obligation.

The next day I went to Philippe’s to pick up what my buddy Bill calls the best mustard in the United States, and then I took the Amtrak from Santa Barbara up to San Francisco — my first long train ride through California.

And wow… San Francisco hit completely differently than LA.
Different vibe. Different rhythm.
But somehow… it already felt like it belonged to me too.

If you’re curious about American church culture, LA vs. SF energy, living abroad, or the wild journey of a filmmaker chasing a new life in the US — this episode is for you.

‪@CoreChurchLAOfficial‬