2025 ANNUAL REPORT
2025 GRAND OPENING
After six months of planning and preparing, we finally hosted our Grand Opening on February 23, 2025 — a moment we’d been praying toward and dreaming about for a long time.
Our team worked hard to make it special, from launch parties to late-night setups, and it all came together as we welcomed around 170 people — a mix of friends, family, and new guests discovering Sanctuary for the first time.
It felt like the start of something new and full of possibility — a glimpse of what God might want to do through this community in San Francisco. Your generosity last year made it possible for us to not only launch in 2025 but also continue serving the community we feel God is calling us to.
QUICK STATS
276
First Time Guests
20+
Commitments To Christ
9
New Baptisms
175%
Growth in Sunday Services
2200+
Volunteer Hours
1900+
San Franciscans Served
Out of that celebration has come stories of transformation — moments that remind us God is building His Church in San Francisco.
The stories behind the stats
“I’ve got a home, I’ve got a job… I’m a whole new me and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to what I was.”
“Little by little I’ve been able to re-learn my identity. Re-learn who I am in God.”
SERVing the community
Christmas at spark social
In December, we partnered with Spark Social, a local food truck park, to host a Christmas market for the community. Sanctuary spearheaded lining up live music and ran a free wreath-making booth where people could stop by, get creative, and connect. We handed out hundreds of wreaths, and it was wonderful to see neighbors of all ages come together and enjoy the festivities. It was a fun and simple way to be part of the neighborhood celebration and spend time with people from across the city during the Christmas season.
NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
In December, we hosted a Night at the Movies, renting two cinema screens and welcoming around 200 guests to watch The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It was a free movie night to kick off the Christmas festivities, and it was wonderful to see people come together, laugh, and enjoy the holiday spirit. A few of those who attended have since become part of the Sanctuary community!
Jackson Park Festival
In the summer, we took part in the Jackson Park Festival, a community event designed to encourage families to enjoy and play in their local park, close to our church meeting space. Sanctuary created a fun welcoming space for families with a bounce house and face painting. We also handed out Alpha leaflets and had some great conversations throughout the day. The highlight of the day was meeting one of the janitors serving that event, who has since been baptized and come into our church community.
"The Nabe" SERVE DAY
Thanks to the generous donations we received in 2025, we’ve been able to continue renting a Sunday morning venue and been blessed by a growing friendship with the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, who have welcomed us with open arms. As a way to give back, we spent a Sunday spreading mulch in their gardens—an encouraging time of serving side-by-side and caring for the neighborhood we call home.
Real stories, real impact
“I’m so thankful to call this my home.”
“I’m no longer the same.”
“This is the best thing that ever happened to me in 2025.”
Spiritual Milestones
21 DAYS OF PRAYER
During our Fall 21 Days of Prayer, we journeyed through powerful stories of revival from the Bible and from modern history, designed to stir our faith and renew our hunger for God.
To help us imagine these moments, we combined AI-generated visual storytelling with guided reflections from members of our community.
If you didn’t get a chance to follow along, you can watch a highlight below—and see all the stories through the button below.
9 NEW BaptismS
Since our launch in February, we’ve celebrated 9 baptisms—each one a powerful reminder of God’s grace at work in real lives. We’ve witnessed first-time commitments to Christ, renewed faith, and tangible spiritual breakthrough.
The testimonies that have emerged are remarkable: addictions broken, identities restored, and hearts completely transformed. Every baptism has reminded us why Sanctuary exists—to see lives changed and people step into the hope and freedom only God can bring.
5 NEW ALPHA COURSES
This year, we hosted 5 Alpha courses across the city — including one in a pizza shop and another at San Francisco City College. More than 50 people participated, and several have begun taking steps into our community, including following Jesus and getting baptized!
It’s been incredible to watch so many people show up with a genuine curiosity to explore life’s biggest questions.
LAUNCHING COMMUNITY GROUPS
Since launch, our community have continued to grow — not just in attendance, but in warmth, depth, and connection. Each week, new faces walk through the doors, many of whom have quickly become part of the family.
What began as a launch has become a steady rhythm of life, faith, and friendship in the heart of the city. This fall, we piloted our first community groups, helping us go deeper together and continue the work of making disciples.
2025 teaching series
This year we journeyed through several teaching series, with four key highlights:
The Life You Long For – Jesus’ 7 “I Am” statements.
What Now? – Finding Jesus in doubt, disappointment, and grief.
You Don’t Got This – Learning to live from God’s lavish grace.
New Humans – A journey through Ephesians.
LIVEs MADE NEw
“Sanctuary Church was a safe harbor for me after a very tumultuous time in my life. I felt welcome to come and receive from God instead of perform.”
Jackie Knapp
Financial Snapshot
We’re so grateful for the ongoing financial support we’ve received throughout 2025. Sanctuary wouldn’t have launched or been able to serve our community in the ways it has without the generosity of so many people who’ve prayed, given, and believed in the vision.
Last year we requested your financial support to achieve three things:
1
FINDING A VENUE FOR OUR SUNDAY GATHERINGS
RESULT:
We’ve been thrilled to have a growing partnership with The Potrero Hill Neighborhood House.
2
LAUNCHING WEEKLY PUBLIC SERVICES
RESULT:
We acquired all the equipment, signage, kids gear, etc. to pull off portable church all year.
3
SERVING
SAN FRANCISCO
RESULT:
We were able to put on 4 community service events, complete 5 Alpha’s, baptize 9 people, and have hundreds of gospel conversations on the streets
We’re overjoyed to report that not only did these three happen (and more!), but we’re seeing beautiful Kingdom fruit as a result!
THANK YOU!
2025 INCOME AND EXPENSES
TOTAL INCOME = $263,524
TOTAL EXPENSES = $336,661
We aim to achieve internal financial sustainability within 3 years.
“We are so thankful to have Sanctuary Church rent our space each week and provide a place of worship for our community. They have been wonderful stewards of our historic building and caring contributors to the neighborhood we’ve called home for over 100 years. I have enjoyed joining in their services and their 21 Days of Prayer very much blessed me!”
Sharon Johnson
Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, Youth Program Manager
Looking Ahead
We’re stepping into the next season with faith and focus. Our goal for 2026 is to raise $250,000, which will help strengthen our foundation and solidify our roots for longevity in this city.
Fundraising Goal = $250,000
Your support will allow us to:
1
SECURE OUR FACILITY FOR ANOTHER YEAR
By God’s grace, our partnership with the 100+ year-old community center we use on Sundays has only continued to blossom. Recently, we were even offered a storage room on site so that we could avoid having to truck in our gear every week and the opportunity to extend our agreement. This location is strategic – both geographically and due to the legacy it has of being an institution that has faithfully served the city for generations.
2
HOST a Church Planting RESIDENCY
There are several supporters of Sanctuary who have expressed a desire to relocate to San Francisco during our initial building season to help shoulder the work — some even sensing a future call to church planting. A portion of the funds raised will help provide housing and essential materials for those willing to volunteer significant portions of their time (20+ hours per week) to see Sanctuary grow. Having faith-filled, hungry laborers investing deeply in this work would be transformative for our church and our city.
3
LAUNCH Our "Good Neighbor" Fund
It’s no secret that there are many with significant needs in San Francisco. A portion of our funds will help grow our capacity to bless and come alongside people in need — both within Sanctuary and throughout San Francisco. Through this fund, we’ll meet practical needs, show compassion, and embody what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
MATCHING GRANTS SECURED!
Incredibly, we’re already seeing God’s provision through multiple matching grants – one through the generosity of The Stratum Foundation and a second through the generosity of a family who wishes to remain anonymous – totaling $143,000. This means your gift will go even further this year.
If you’d like to give stock, cryptocurrency, by check, or via a donor advised fund, please contact us and we can help accommodate.
2026 PROJECTED BUDGET
TOTAL 2026 BUDGET = $377,127
CURRENT FINANCIAL PARTNERS
Confluence
Newfrontiers
The Stratum Foundation
New Community Church of Tacoma
Transforming The Bay With Christ
King’s Community Church – Norwich
The Father’s House – San Francisco
Lifehouse Church – Spring Hill, TN
Redeemer Church – Colchester
Individuals and Families that wish to remain anonymous
BE PART OF OUR STORY
We invite you to step into the story God is writing through Sanctuary. We’re seeing Him move in powerful ways throughout San Francisco and beyond. Below are a few ways you can join us in this mission:
Thank You
We are so grateful for every prayer, gift, and act of service this year. Together, we’ve seen lives changed and hearts renewed. Thank you for helping build a community where God’s presence is felt and shared.
