Administration
Brent Coltharp, D.S.L.
President
B.A., Theology, Indiana Bible College, 1992
M.A., Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College, 2001
M.A., Biblical Studies, Wheaton College, 2006
D.Min., Regent University, ABD
D.S.L., Regent University, 2018
bcoltharp@urshan.edu
Jennie Russell, M.A.
Executive Vice President
A.A., Missions, Christian Life College, 1984
B.A., Bible and Theology, Christian Life College, 1986
M.A. Professional Counseling, Liberty University, 2012
Ed.D., Community Care and Counseling - Marriage and Family Cognate, Liberty University (in progress)
jrussell@urshan.edu
Frank Buchanan, CPA, M.A.
Chief Financial Officer
B.S., Accounting, Missouri Southern State University, 1992
M.A. Christian Ministry, Urshan Graduate School of Theology, 2012
fbuchanan@urshan.edu
Adam C. Dennis, M.B.A.
Chief Human Resources Officer
B.A., History, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 2004
M.B.A., Business Administration with Human Resources Management, University of Phoenix, 2008
PHR, Professional in Human Resources, Human Resources Certification Institute, 2009
SHRM-CP, Certified Professional, Society of Human Resource Management, 2015
PSHRA-SCP, Senior Certified Professional, Public Service HR Association, 2016
adennis@urshan.edu
Jared Runck, D.Th.
Academic Dean
B.A., Practical Theology, Gateway College of Evangelism, 2008
M.T.S., Old Testament, Eden Theological Seminary, 2008
D.Th., Old Testament, University of South Africa, 2017
jrunck@urshan.edu
Dan Littles, D.M.A.
Online Academic Dean
B.M., Trumpet Performance, Southeast Missouri State University, 2005
M.M., Music Education, Boston University, 2007
D.M.A., Music Education, University of Houston, 2014
dlittles@urshan.edu
Jereme Watson
Director of Student Services
jwatson@urshan.edu
Administrative Staff
Staff
Alexis Barry, B.A.
Development Coordinator
B.A., Texas Bible College
development@urshan.edu
Kimberly Bettis
Administrative Assistant to
the Registrar
registrarassist@urshan.edu
Christopher Brainos, Ph.D.
Director of Student Success Center
A.A. Political Science, Sandhill Community College, 2011
B.B.S., Urshan College, 2013
M.A.C.M., Urshan Graduate School of Theology, 2016
Ph.D., Intercultural Studies, Columbia International University, 2022
cbrainos@urshan.edu
Chris Buie, M.B.A.
Director of Admissions
B.S., Business Administration, Lindenwood University, 2017
M.B.A., Business Administration, Lindenwood University, 2018
admissionsdirector@urshan.edu
Abriah Johnson, B.S.
Director of Marketing
B.S. Graphic Design, Arizona State University (in progress)
ajohnson@urshan.edu
Grace Maney, B.A.
Registrar
B.A. Christian Ministry, Urshan College, 2023
registrar@urshan.edu
Levi Powell, B.A.
Director of Financial Aid
B.A. Christian Ministry, Urshan College, 2019
lpowell@urshan.edu
Cara Bagley, B.B.A.
Human Resources Coordinator
A.A., Human Resources Management
B.B.A., Business Management
humanresources@urshan.edu
Cody Brookins, B.A.
Student Financial Accounts Officer
B.A., Applied Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (in progress)
studentaccounts@urshan.edu
Randi Chavis
Compliance Officer
rchavis@urshan.edu
James Coltharp, B.A.
Circulation Desk Supervisor
B.A., Human Services, Urshan College, 2022
jcoltharp@urshan.edu
Cynthia Dykes, B.A.
Executive Assistant to the EVP
B.A., Christian Ministry, Urshan College, 2017
evpassist@urshan.edu
Alisha Dugas, A.A.
Resident Life Manager
A.A., Church Music, Gateway College of Evangelism, 2002
adugas@urshan.edu
Kimberley Faubert
Library Cataloger
kfaubert@urshan.edu
Marleigh Francois, M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
B.A., Elementary Education, Liberty University, 2018
M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University, 2021
Ed.D., Educational Leadership, Liberty University (in progress)
mfrancois@urshan.edu
Angel Graham, M.Ed.
Online Course Technician
B.A., Christian Ministry, Gateway College of Evangelism
M.Ed., Liberty University
onlinetech@urshan.edu
Nicole Griffith, B.A.
Online Support Specialist
B.A., Music, Texas Bible College, 2014
M.A.C.M., Urshan Graduate School of Theology (in progress)
onlinesupport@urshan.edu
Ellen Hall
Assistant Chef
ehall@urshan.edu
Steve Hall
Chef
shall@urshan.edu
Karen Hart, B.S.
Accounts Receivable
B.S., Accounting/Business Administration, Tallequah, OK, 1994
accountsreceivable@urshan.edu
Marsha Johnston
Human Resources Generalist
humanresources@urshan.edu
Emily Marquez
Receptionist
receptionist@urshan.edu
Ashley Loveland, B.A.
Administrative Assistant to the Academic Dean
adassist@urshan.edu
Hunter Qual, B.A.
Financial Aid Advisor
hqual@urshan.edu
B.A., Indiana Bible College
Mikhael Trammell, M.Ed.
Internship Facilitator
internships@urshan.edu
M.Ed. Ashford University
Micah Turner, B.A.
Accounts Payable Clerk
accountspayable@urshan.edu
B.A., Christian Ministry, Urshan College, 2018
Kinsey Parkey, B.A.
Executive Assistant to the EVP
evpassist@urshan.edu
B.A., Organizational Leadership, Urshan College, 2024
The Johnsons
Our Senior Pastor Matthew Johnson has been involved in ministry for more than 25 years. Prior to full time ministry the Johnsons both worked in the healthcare field. Pastor Johnson is an Ordained Minister of the UPCI, received his MBA summa cum laude from William Woods University, received his specialty MBA summa cum laude in healthcare administration, and is board bertified in ambulatory surgery management.
Pastor Johnson serves on the Board of Trustees for Compassion Services International (CSI) as well as the UPCI Stewardship Advisory Council.
The Johnsons formerly served the executive team for UPCI Youth Ministries and also served as members of the Missouri Youth Ministries leadership team.
They are the proud parents of Abriah & Jace who are the joy of their lives, along with their two Goldendoodles, Opie Taylor & Ginger Lou. The Johnsons enjoy family time together kayaking, exploring the great outdoors, and also searching for new coffee shops wherever they travel.
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.
Vaneesa McCreary
Vaneesa McCreary and her husband, James McCreary, married in 1998. Together they have one son, Jameson. Throughout the years Vaneesa has helped in a Private Christian middle/ high school office doing anything from state reporting to substitute teaching in various classes, as needed. In 2021, Vaneesa relocated and started working part-time in The Sanctuary daycare. Later on she was asked to fulfill the role as the new daycare director. From June 2022 to December 2022, she worked in each classroom to better understand the schedule and responsibilities as well as completed director specific job training. In December 2022, she officially became The Sanctuary Church Daycare Director.
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.
