2023 ANNUAL REPORT
GRATEFUL FOR 2023
EXPECTANT FOR 2024
OUR VISION
THAT EVERYONE WOULD FIND SANCTUARY IN CHRIST
We believe Jesus is the place of safety we can all run to. He is someone who loves us and listens to us. So we are endeavoring to find sanctuary in Christ, become sanctuary together, and extend sanctuary to the city.
FINDING
SANCTUARY IN CHRIST
BECOMING
SANCTUARY TOGETHER
EXTENDING
SANCTUARY TO THE CITY
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”
Psalm 77:11
A HOME AT LAST
New Home
After years of being nomadic, we’re thrilled to have found a permanent leased location in the Portola “Garden District” neighborhood.
79 First Time Guests
Having a public space meant that we could invite people in. This year alone, we’ve welcomed 79 guests into our Sunday gatherings.
Blessing the Community
In addition to Sundays, we were able to use the building for Alphas, SF Pastors’ gatherings, community movie nights, prayer & vision evenings, theology workshops, a multi-church Good Friday service, birthday parties, and a team meeting night for the NEOS initiative (non-profit serving kids in the Bayview).
"A welcoming door in between Pho and the Family Connections center on San Bruno, just up the stairs we found kind people and incredible hospitality. Thank you for inviting us in this Sunday to enjoy worship and a beautiful message about prayer and the power of Jesus!”
- Eva
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
After a long season of discernment, Tom & Josie Shaw felt the Lord leading them to return to the UK after 4 years of pioneering Sanctuary. It was a tearful goodbye in the Summer as we blessed and honored the Shaw family for their investment in this city, our church and our lives. They laid a great foundation from which we’re ready to build.
Later in the Fall, the church installed Tim Harms to lead the charge for the season ahead.
“To lead Sanctuary in those opening years was a tremendous honour. Seeing how God breathed vision and direction, name and strategy, into us as a founding community, is something I’ll never forget.”
- Tom Shaw
ALPHA & YOUTH ALPHA
Our new venue served as the perfect backdrop to host an Alpha course — a series of dinner parties and interactive discussions for those exploring faith.
We welcomed a total of 42 guests to our Alphas: 17 guests for Alpha, along with another 25 guests for Youth Alpha — all encountered the love of Jesus and had the opportunity to explore Christianity for themselves.
At the end of our 8 weeks, the group didn’t want to stop! We continued on with a Bible study, exploring key passages from scripture.
We love Alpha so much, we were able to help contribute to Alpha at Commonwealth - a Confluence church plant in Carlsbad, CA.
"As a lifelong nonbeliever, I had learned again and again there are things you dare not say to a Christian, lest you disappoint them and arouse their disapproval. Alpha Course was pivotal in turning my secular journey into a walk with Jesus, because it showed me a version of the church that’s populated by thinking people who do not shrink from the hard questions.”
- Brendan
ALPHA MARRIAGE
For the first time, we hosted nine couples — including those exploring faith — to an Alpha Marriage course. Over seven sessions, we set up an intimate “date night” atmosphere and provided childcare for our community to demonstrate the love of God, to invest in marriages in our community, and provide sound, biblical foundations for those looking for a marriage lifeline.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
This year, we welcomed 3 interns from the UK (Jordan, Bekka & Emily), who served San Francisco and Sanctuary with all their hearts. We believe there is a grace on Sanctuary to welcome those wanting to give a season of their lives to seeing the church in San Francisco established — perhaps even launching a church residency program in the future.
"My time at Sanctuary was very significant for me. I got to grow in lots of different areas of my faith and got to learn more about the Father’s heart. I also met some incredible people and got to serve God alongside them which was very special.”
- Emily
FEEDING THE UNHOUSED
Through our partnership with Citizens Church, we were able to serve with and help fund a ministry that provides weekly meals to the unhoused in Golden Gate Park.
SERVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD
We’re thrilled to partner with the Portola Neighborhood Association to help serve the neighborhood where we meet and where many of us live.
The Greenway Freeway
This year, we volunteered in a new community park being developed as a gathering place in the neighborhood — opening up to the public in a few months time.
Autumn Moon Festival
We also hosted a tent for the largest neighborhood festival of the year, where we provided balloon animals, face painting, tattoos and arts and crafts for the kids. We had over 500 families stop by!
"It's always a pleasure to have Sanctuary involved in our Portola Neighborhood Association projects. They have participated in neighborhood cleanups and mulch parties at the Freeway Greenway and bring an impactful number of volunteers who contribute not just labor but joyful participation. I so appreciate that service is central to Sanctuary's mission!”
- Maggie Weis
Portola Neighborhood Association Chair
"We were deeply touched by Sanctuary Church's thoughtful gesture of organizing a complimentary face painting and balloon animal station at the Portola Autumn Moon Festival this past September. This delightful attraction quickly became a community favorite, spreading joy to the children in our neighborhood.”
- Valerie Luu
Portola Neighborhood Association Corridor Manager
TEACHING SERIES
There’s something about opening up the scriptures that brings us security and rootedness — equipping us and illuminating our path. Here’s a quick summary of some of the teaching series from 2023.
Just Jesus - A Journey through the Gospel of Mark
Water from the Rock - Spiritual Gifts for Times of Wilderness
Return of the King
On this Rock - How Jesus Builds His Church
Teach Us To Pray
Advent 2023 - Prepare Him Room
“I had the privilege to be a part of for a small amount of time since I’m moving away! But I cannot recommend it enough! Very genuine loving people and the sermons are always so intentional! A great caring community for sure!”
- Mariah
OUR TEAMS
ADVISORY TEAM
EXTERNAL
MEMBERS
Bo Noonan - New Community Church (Tacoma, WA)
Travis Aiklen - Radiant Church (Visalia, CA)
Nick Parsons - Stratum Foundation (San Francisco, CA)
Mike Lawson - Confluence Churches
LOCAL
MEMBERS
Tim Harms
Billy Atkins
FINANCE TEAM
EXTERNAL
MEMBERS
Mike Lawson - Confluence Churches
Shon Baldwin - Radiant Church (Visalia, CA)
LOCAL
MEMBERS
Tim Harms (inactive CPA)
Billy Atkins
Robbie Brisco
OUR FINANCES
This work has only been made possible by the generosity of many — both near and far — who have chosen to invest in the Kingdom of God in San Francisco. We have been overwhelmed with God’s faithfulness through the area of finance. As we desire to be good stewards of the gifts he has provided, below is a quick report of what has been given and spent.
2023 INCOME & EXPENSES
2023 AT A GLANCE
(NOV 2022 - OCT 2023)
Income = $277,942
Expenses = $316,411
BY MONTH
QUICK STATS
39.1%
growth in internal giving vs. 2022
24
months of cash reserves on hand
59.1%
% of internal vs. external giving
79
number of first time guests in 2023
6
institutional financial partners
#1
most unchurched metro area in the U.S. (Barna)
2024 BUDGET
INCOME VS. EXPENSE
EXPENSE BREAKDOWN
Projected Deficit = $53,000*
*to be made up through our 2023 Christmas Offering, a matching grant received and current cash reserves
CURRENT GIVING PARTNERS
Transforming the Bay with Christ
Various individuals and families who wish to remain anonymous
PARTNER WITH US
BUILDING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
2023 was a year of both growth and transition. With a strong core team in place, we’re ready to seek God to change lives and build Sanctuary in the year ahead.
FUNDRAISING GOAL = $50,000
We’re praying for additional finances to reach more people next year. Here’s how we’re planning on using the funds:
1
ALPHA
COURSES
To invite people to explore the big ideas of the Christian faith in a safe environment, through a series of dinner parties and discussion groups.
2
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
To use the gifts present within our community and leverage the relationships we’ve built over 4 years to connect in meaningful ways through events, parties and community partnerships - inviting people in to experience the transforming love of Jesus.
3
EQUIPPING &
SUPPORT
To enable the provision of outside leaders to come to serve and equip our team, as well as to fund housing for future interns to serve alongside us.
$21.5K MATCHING GRANT SECURED!
Through the generosity of The Stratum Foundation and Transforming the Bay with Christ, Sanctuary has qualified for a matching grant of $21,500.
For every $1 donated, an additional $1 will be matched, doubling the impact of those donations up to $21,500.
If you’d like to give stock, cryptocurrency, by check, or via a donor advised fund, please contact us and we can help accommodate.
“What a welcoming church! If you are looking for a friendly, welcoming church with beautiful worship, solid teaching and something for everyone in the family then I recommend you attend Sanctuary. What really meant something to me was the church's desire to connect with the larger community outside their doors. A truly beautiful community of believers.”
- Brenda
BE PART OF THE STORY
You can be part of the story God is writing for San Francisco. Here are three simple ways you can partner with Sanctuary SF:
PRAY
Join us in praying that God would continue to root us in the city.
GIVE
Give to the work God is doing in San Francisco.
JOIN
Join us in San Francisco as a part of the core team.
