“Grace is loving people for who they are, where they are. It's loving people *before* they change, not just *after* they change. And that grace is the difference between holy and holier-than-thou. Holiness, in its purest form, is irresistible. That's why sinners couldn't be kept away from Jesus. Hypocrisy has the opposite effect. It's as repulsive to the irreligious as the Pharisees' religiosity was to Jesus.”

American pastor and author

Mark Batterson is an American pastor and author. He serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and has written several books. His work includes Win the Day, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and Wild Goose Chase. His New York Times bestselling book The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears was released in December 2011.