Matthew + Rebecca Johnson
The Johnsons
Senior Pastor
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Pastors and Leadership.
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The Mullins
Austin + Mikayla Sizemore
The Sizemores
Youth Pastor
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Jonathan + Tori Vailes
The Vailes
Children's Pastor +
Finance Administrator
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Matthew + Tamera Gordon
The Gordons
Music Directors
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Erika Chacón
Erika Chacón
KidsCare Daycare Director
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Nathan + Larkin Venturini
Executive Pastor
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Children's Pastor + Finance Administrator
The Venturinis
Youth Pastor
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Matthew + Rebekka Mullins
Assistant Pastor
Matthew Johnson
Matthew is a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in healthcare administration and ministry leadership. A graduate of Hannibal-LaGrange University and William Woods University, he earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA Summa Cum Laude and holds board certification as a Certified Administrator of Surgery Centers (CASC). He is also an ordained minister with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).
Matthew began his career in healthcare marketing before advancing to serve as Administrator of a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center and anesthesia group, leading multi-million-dollar operations and achieving record financial and regulatory performance.
In 2011, he transitioned into full-time ministry with UPCI Youth Ministries, where he served as General Youth Secretary and led the Apostolic Youth Corps program, developing a deep and lasting burden for global missions. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of The Sanctuary in Columbus, Indiana, a revival-focused church with a special emphasis on reaching beyond its four walls to spread the gospel. He also serves as Executive Director of Compassion Services International, having first served on the organization’s board. In this role, he helps lead efforts to bring hope to those in need through humanitarian outreach, disaster relief, education, and medical missions.
The Venturinis
Nathan and Larkin Venturini have been married and serving in ministry together since 2018. They are looking forward to welcoming their first child in August of 2023. Outside of his involvement with The Sanctuary, Nathan is an Operations Analyst for Toyota Material Handling, and Larkin is a Speech Language Pathologist for Bartholomew County Schools. Larkin is a member of The Sanctuary Kids Ministry Team, participates in The Sanctuary Choir, and is involved with Bible Quizzing. They are glad to have made Columbus their home, and are excited about what is happening in the community and church.
The Lowthers
Jason and Hillary were married in 2005. They are blessed with two incredible children, Emma and Jackson, and two mini golden doodles, Theo and Lyla.
Both Jason and Hillary are licensed professional engineers and serve the State of Indiana in their respective roles.
Jason has a passion for cooking, working with his hands and helping others achieve financial goals. Hillary makes sure there’s some fun along the way.
Erika Chacón
Erika Chacón's journey in education began in her childhood daycare and blossomed as she helped raise her four younger siblings. After marrying Alan Chacón in 2007 and welcoming their first pair of boys, she was inspired to turn her passion into a career. She began her professional path at Learning Tree Preschool, starting as a substitute and eventually becoming the lead teacher.
Four years later, in 2018, she once again continued pursuing her passion and joined the newly founded Legado Immersion Academy as a Teaching Assistant at Clifty Creek Elementary School. After she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, she welcomed her second pair of boys as she became a third grade Legado teacher, teaching in English and
Spanish. Although she loves teaching, her true passion is early childhood education. Now, as the Director of Sanctuary KidsCare, Erika is thrilled to pursue her dream of shaping young minds.
Outside of work, Erika and Alan enjoy family road trips, movie nights, and board games with
their four boys: Alan, Abel, Adrian, and Adriel.
The Gordons
Matt and Tamera Gordon have been married and have served in music ministry since 1997; as well as teaching music for many years. They have one daughter, Ava. The Gordon's have been a part of The Sanctuary since 2015.
The Ortizs
Jorge and Amy Otiz serve as our Spanish church pastors. Prior to their pastorship, they along with their 3 children, have helped in several missions works in various countries around the world.
The Vailes
Jonathan and Tori got married in 2014, have one daughter named Nora, and one dog named Gus. The Vailes have served as Children's Pastors at The Sanctuary since 2015 while also serving in many administrative capacities and other ministries. Prior to his transition to a full-time ministry position, Jonathan was a music teacher within the BCSC school corporation. Now, with his Master's degree in Business Administration, Jonathan is the Finance Coordinator and Children's Pastor. Tori is a 3rd grade teacher in the BCSC school corporation and serves part-time at The Sanctuary to support administrative needs.
The Sizemores
The Sizemores have served in youth ministry for over ten years, the past seven being the youth pastor's here at The Sanctuary. They lead our thriving youth and young adults group and are passionately serving in many other areas of the church. Mikayla earned her Bachelor's in Education from Indiana University and has been a special education teacher for nearly a decade. Austin earned his Bachelor's in Economics from Marian University where he won two national championships as a football player. They have been married for 7 years and recently had their first daughter Jade in 2021.
The McLaurines
Gwendolyn McLaurine MS, LMHCA, NCC completed her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She is a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana and a licensed professional counselor in Michigan. She is the owner of Living Water Mental Health LLC where she provides office and teletherapy services and specializes in helping individuals overcome the effects of childhood trauma. She has ten-plus years of individual, family, and crisis counseling experience. Gwendolyn is eclectic in her approach to therapy and seeks to use the most effective and appropriate method to address her clients' needs.
Gwendolyn is a wife, mother of two, and lover of shopping malls. She and her husband Reggie attend The Sanctuary in Columbus, Indiana, serving on the leadership team as assistant pastors
The Mullins
Assistant Pastors at The Sanctuary; Rebekka and Matthew Mullins have been married, and served together in ministry since 2004 and have 4 beautiful children. Matthew is Vice President at a global fortune 500 company and a partner and CEO of Equipping Leaders. With 20 years of pastoral experience, he also teaches global audiences, and offers coaching in strategy, human resources management, and leader development.