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 Germantown, 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 · Germantown, 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.
The pattern of grace
The story we keep walking into.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand. — Ephesians 2:10”
A01
Action
The first move belongs to God — and to the one stirred by His Spirit.
R02
Reaction
Heaven answers earth. Earth answers heaven. The exchange that changes everything.
E03
Empowerment
Grace is not a feeling. It is the strength to live what is true of you in Christ.
A04
Action
Empowered action looks like a life poured out — a sanctuary that walks.
A.R.E.A. — the rhythm of a life caught between heaven and earth, and learning to live both.
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
A — Action
Action
The first move belongs to God — and to the one stirred by His Spirit.
In our weekly rhythm, Action begins on Wednesday evening, when the Spirit stirs us in the Word. The week's preaching is born here.
R
R — Reaction
Reaction
Heaven answers earth. Earth answers heaven. The exchange that changes everything.
Reaction is Sunday — the congregation answering God's initiative with worship, confession, and the receiving of grace.
E
E — Empowerment
Empowerment
Grace is not a feeling. It is the strength to live what is true of you in Christ.
Empowerment is the long week between Sundays — small group, Recovery, prayer, the slow daily reception of His indwelling.
A
A — Action (again)
Action
Empowered action looks like a life poured out — a sanctuary that walks.
Action again, by Saturday — the family at work in the neighborhood, the meal delivered, the friend texted, the visit made.
“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