Who we are:
Sanctuary is a Community of Christ-based church. We are located in Portsmouth, Ohio. Our goal is to change the narrative. Often times people characterize church as a place where only perfect people go, we believe the opposite. We radically affirm and welcome all individuals- regardless of their sexuality, gender, race, etc. Join us in fostering a safe, loving, welcoming community.
-
Pastor
Connie plays a vital role in the church’s operation. As Pastor she communicates with world church leaders, programs Sundays, irons out details every week, et cetera. Connie joined Sanctuary’s leadership team early 2025. She has a Master of Art in Religion from Graceland University Seminary and lives in Chillicothe, Ohio with her husband Doug.
Reach Connie via email: Connie@scofchrist.org
-
Media, Marketing, Communications & Technology
Landen plays a vital role in ensuring that the services operate smoothly, the social media & website is updated, and the technology works at the church building. Landen joined Sanctuary’s leadership team late 2024. He lives in Portsmouth, Ohio, attends Shawnee State University. During Landen’s free time, he actively works on the church, non-profits, or travels!
Reach Landen via email: Landen@scofchrist.org
-
Chief Financial Officer
Connie serves as the churches CFO. The CFO plays a vital role in the church congregations operations. Connie joined Sanctuary’s leadership in 2025. No further information about Connie H at this time.
Reach Connie via email: chumphrey@cofchrist.org
-
Gwen is over Coffee & Conversation at our congregation and schedules speakers for this NON-RELIGOUS sector.
-
Inclusion and Spiritual Formation Minister
Jayme serves as the Inclusion and Spiritual Formation Minster. Previously he served as Pastor of Sanctuary. Jayme has a husband, Chase, as well as a cat & dog.
Reach Jayme via email: ISFMinister@scofchrist.org
OUR BELIEFS IS DRIVEN BY BIBLICAL VALUE & CHRIST-LIKE LOVE!
-
We believe in one living God who meets us in the testimony of Israel, is revealed in Jesus Christ, and moves through all creation as the Holy Spirit. We affirm the Trinity—God who is a community of three persons. All things that exist owe their being to God: mystery beyond understanding and love beyond imagination. This God alone is worthy of our worship.
-
We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the Word made flesh, the Savior of the world, fully human and fully divine. Through Jesus’ life and ministry, death and resurrection, God reconciles the world and breaks down the walls that divide. Christ is our peace.
-
We believe in the Holy Spirit, Giver of Life, holy Wisdom, true God. The Spirit moves through and sustains creation; endows the church for mission; frees the world from sin, injustice, and death; and transforms disciples. Wherever we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control, there the Holy Spirit is working.
-
As an expression of divine love, God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and called them "good." Everything belongs to God and should be cherished and used justly according to divine purposes. God sees creation as a whole without separation of spirit and element. God calls people of every generation to join with God as stewards in the loving care of creation.
-
Every human being is created in the image of God. In Jesus Christ, God took on the limits of human flesh and culture, and is known through them. We therefore affirm without exception the worth of every human being. We also affirm that God has blessed humankind with the gift of agency: the ability to choose whom or what we will serve within the circumstances of our lives.
-
God created us to be agents of love and goodness. Yet we misuse our agency individually and collectively. We take the gifts of creation and of self and turn them against God’s purposes with tragic results. Sin is the universal condition of separation and alienation from God and one another. We are in need of divine grace that alone reconciles us with God and one another.
-
The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ: forgiveness of sin, and healing from separation, brokenness, and the power of violence and death. This healing is for individuals, human societies, and all of creation. This new life is the loving gift of God’s grace that becomes ours through faith and repentance. Baptism is how we initially express our commitment to lifelong discipleship. As we yield our lives to Christ in baptism we enter Christian community (the body of Christ) and have the promise of salvation. We experience salvation through Jesus Christ, but affirm that God’s grace has no bounds, and God’s love is greater than we can know.
-
God intends Christian faith to be lived in companionship with Jesus Christ and with other disciples in service to the world. The church of Jesus Christ is made of all those who respond to Jesus’ call. Community of Christ is part of the whole body of Christ. We are called to be a prophetic people, proclaiming the peace of Jesus Christ and creating communities where all will be welcomed and brought into renewed relationship with God, and where there will be no poor.
-
We affirm the Living God is ever self-revealing. God is revealed to the world in the testimony of Israel, and above all in Jesus Christ. By the Holy Spirit we continue to hear God speaking today. The church is called to listen together for what the Spirit is saying and then faithfully respond.
-
Scripture is writing inspired by God’s Spirit and accepted by the church as the normative expression of its identity, message, and mission. We affirm the Bible as the foundational scripture for the church. In addition, Community of Christ uses the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants—not to replace the witness of the Bible or improve on it, but because they confirm its message that Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. When responsibly interpreted and faithfully applied, scripture provides divine guidance and inspired insight for our discipleship.
Sign up to get important updates and emergency notifications from official church leaders.
Skip out on all of the group chat messages and get the IMPORTANT items! Sanctuary Community of Christ is committed to letting YOU know the details! Sign up and receive whats important.
Click “sign up”, and send “Hello” to sign up!
Make an impact today
Support our mission by contributing a donation.
Contact us
Interested in the church? Let us know. We want to talk. We have a seat for you!