Scripture
The Bible is the inspired, authoritative Word of God — sufficient for all matters of life, faith, and obedience.
Our story
A household with a whole gospel.
Gathered in Gallaway, Tennessee, convinced that the cross has already settled the question of God's nearness for every human being who will receive it. This page is the longer version.
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” — Isaiah 43:19
Pastor Geoffrey Okema
Founding pastor · Gallaway, TN
A word from the pastor
A pastor is not a CEO. He is a shepherd.
When I was a young man, I imagined a pastor as a kind of religious entrepreneur — the chief vision officer of a spiritual start-up. I have repented of that picture. What I have come to believe, after many years of failing and being forgiven, is that a pastor is a shepherd of souls — a man who walks with people and points at Jesus.
Presence Sanctuary is not my church. It is His. My job is to keep telling the truth about what He has already done, and to make space for His Spirit to do what only He can do. Some weeks that looks like preaching. Other weeks it looks like cleaning the kitchen at 9 PM on a Saturday before Recovery.
If you are reading this — whether you have known Jesus for fifty years or you are still circling the question — there is a chair at our table for you. Come.
What we believe
Our credo, plainly stated.
The historic Christian faith, plainly believed. Below is a short version. The longer version is in the room when you come.
God in Three Persons
One God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — perfect in love, holiness, and unity.
The Person of Christ
Jesus Christ — fully God, fully man — lived sinless, died as substitute, rose bodily, ascended, and reigns.
The Finished Work
By the cross, God has paid for ALL the sins of ALL humanity. By faith we receive what grace has already provided.
The Indwelling Spirit
The Holy Spirit makes Christ real in the believer — empowering, comforting, transforming, gifting.
The Church
A blood-bought family across history and geography — local, visible, and gathered for worship and witness.
Impact Your AREA
The Four Steps of A.R.E.A.
At Presence Sanctuary, our calling is simple yet profound: Impact Your AREA. But real impact doesn't happen by accident—it follows a clear, God-given path.
It all starts with what God has done, and ends with what He calls us to do. God acts first to bless us so that we can act to bless others.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand. — Ephesians 2:10”
A01
God's ACTION (Grace)
Everything begins with God's unmerited favor. Grace is God giving us freely what Jesus already paid for on the cross. When we share and demonstrate just how good God is, His action sets everything into motion.
R02
Our REACTION (Faith)
When God's grace is revealed, it demands a response. Our reaction is faith—simply choosing to believe, trust, and receive the fullness of what He has provided.
E03
Our EMPOWERMENT (Holy Spirit)
We cannot do this in our own strength. God equips us with the Holy Spirit and supernatural power. After all, Christianity without miracles is just another philosophy or dead religion. Through His Spirit, we are energized to live supernaturally.
A04
Our ACTION (Outreach)
Filled with His faith and empowered by His Spirit, we step out into the world. We become the hands and feet of Jesus—allowing Him to love, heal, and express Himself to a hurting world through us.
The Cycle of Impact
- God's ACTION (Grace)
- Our REACTION (Faith)
- Our EMPOWERMENT (Holy Spirit)
- Our ACTION (Outreach)
It begins with God's ACTION and ends with OURS.
When God acts in grace, we react in faith, receive His empowerment, and take action to change our world.
Read it slowly
The four letters, unpacked.
A.R.E.A. is not an acronym we built. It is a rhythm we noticed God already keeping. We follow it because He does.
A
Step 01
God's ACTION (Grace)
Everything begins with God's unmerited favor. Grace is God giving us freely what Jesus already paid for on the cross. When we share and demonstrate just how good God is, His action sets everything into motion.
R
Step 02
Our REACTION (Faith)
When God's grace is revealed, it demands a response. Our reaction is faith—simply choosing to believe, trust, and receive the fullness of what He has provided.
E
Step 03
Our EMPOWERMENT (Holy Spirit)
We cannot do this in our own strength. God equips us with the Holy Spirit and supernatural power. After all, Christianity without miracles is just another philosophy or dead religion. Through His Spirit, we are energized to live supernaturally.
A
Step 04
Our ACTION (Outreach)
Filled with His faith and empowered by His Spirit, we step out into the world. We become the hands and feet of Jesus—allowing Him to love, heal, and express Himself to a hurting world through us.
“We do not need more brilliant strategy. We need more honest churches — small ones, plain ones, faithful ones — that keep telling the truth about Jesus Christ in the corner God has given them.”
— Pastor Geoffrey Okema