Something New is Brewing in Santa Paula
Sanctuary News Network
03/12/05 by Rev. Dr. Charles Laird

Something new is brewing in Santa Paula. After leaving a traditional church pastorate, Chuck and Jeanette Laird are continuing a new venture. Reaching the many disillusioned, wounded or disheartened people who have left the church…but hunger for something different.

It began by hearing people’s stories, learning their lives and hearts. Weddings found through a site firstchoiceweddings.com brought them together with great people who wanted a pastor, but for a number of reasons, were not getting married in the church. They also used Starbucks as their “office” – a great place to have conversations with a multitude of people that wanted to share their experiences and desires.

They have built a non-profit, Sanctuary Christian Ministries, which for four years has been filling needs of a variety of people wanting to build stronger, safer relationships. Couples starting marriage want to succeed, they have a great middle school program to teach hands-on relationship skills (high school being added this fall), and now a church of a different form. Not preaching, but seminar style. Relationships – truly acting out our love in stronger, safer ones – will be the emphasis.

Easter Sunday they will begin an exciting beginning of a new phase. They have a room overlooking the runway at Logsdons (824 E. Santa Maria St.) at 9 am. There will be a continental breakfast, music, an interactive message of hope lead by Dr. Charles Laird for the whole family. The Laird family is a team in this venture; with Robert and Brian leading music and ministries, and their middle school daughters, Laurie and Christy, have a real gift with younger children. They exude love.

If you want to learn more, check out sanctuarychurch.net, or call 525-5560. It is a chance to build something great in Santa Paula.