sanctuary songs retreat at Keats Island, October 2023

LISTEN TO SANCTUARY SONGS EARLY


HELLO ALC23 ATTENDEES!

As an attendee of the Alpha Leadership Conference 2023, you can sign up for early access to some of the Sanctuary Songs music you heard at the conference. Find out how below.
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Sanctuary Songs Album Cover

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Sanctuary and The Porter's Gate have created an album of songs about mental health and faith. Why create a worship album focused on the theme of mental health challenges? Perhaps the answer to this question can be found in yet another question. How can we help people hold on to God’s presence at all times and in all circumstances—including experiences of mental health challenges?

By creating an album that centers around the lived experience of people who are often marginalized in churches, and by modeling life-giving and healing ways for congregants to talk (and sing) about mental health challenges, we have the opportunity to unite liturgy and advocacy. We hope this collaboration will offer new ways of experiencing belonging in church communities around the world.

Contributors to this album include: Guvna B (Isaac Borquaye), IAMSON (Orlando Palmer), Matt Maher, Leslie Jordan, DOE, Paul Zach, Emoni Wilkins, and more.

Sanctuary Songs Album Cover

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Sanctuary and The Porter's Gate have created an album of songs about mental health and faith. Why create a worship album focused on the theme of mental health challenges? Perhaps the answer to this question can be found in yet another question. How can we help people hold on to God’s presence at all times and in all circumstances—including experiences of mental health challenges?
 
By creating an album that centers around the lived experience of people who are often marginalized in churches, and by modeling life-giving and healing ways for congregants to talk (and sing) about mental health challenges, we have the opportunity to unite liturgy and advocacy. We hope this collaboration will offer new ways of experiencing belonging in church communities around the world.
 
Contributors to this album include: Isaac "Guvna B" Borquaye, Paul Zach, Emoni Wilkins, Matt Maher, DOE, and Leslie Jordan

Sanctuary Songs artists group photo at Barnabas Landing, Keats Island, October 2023

Photo Credit: Jeremy Stanley and Greg Gillespie

CONTRIBUTORS

The Sanctuary Songs album was written and produced in collaboration with musicians, songwriters, theologians, mental health professionals, and people with lived experiences of mental health challenges—all from different countries, diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and many Christian denominations and traditions. In October 2022, we gathered for a songwriting retreat at Barnabas Landing on Keats Island in beautiful British Columbia. Album contributors include Emoni Wilkins, Matt Maher, DOE, and Leslie Jordan, Guvna B.

Pictured (from left to right), back row: Marika Siewert, Kate Bluett, John Swinton, Daniel Whitehead, Isaac Wardell, Nick Brewer, Emma Holland, Stuart Townend, Brian Doerksen, Orlando Palmer, Isaac (Guvna B) Borquaye, Matt Maher, Nick Chambers, Valerie Guerra, Jane Born, Kristin Maher, Jon Guerra. Front row: Jeremy Stanley, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Jordan, Niki Paige, Paul Zach, Lizzy Ojo Martens, Jina Lee, Hillary McBride, Paul Lee, Brian Eichelberger, Michelle Furumori





Sanctuary Songs artists group photo at Barnabas Landing, Keats Island, October 2023

Photo Credit: Jeremy Stanley and Greg Gillespie

CONTRIBUTORS

The Sanctuary Songs album was written and produced in collaboration with musicians, songwriters, theologians, mental health professionals, and people with lived experiences of mental health challenges—all from different countries, diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and many Christian denominations and traditions.

In October 2022, we gathered for a songwriting retreat at Barnabas Landing on Keats Island in beautiful British Columbia. Album contributors include grammy-nominated artists Matt Maher, DOE, and Leslie Jordan, as well as three-time MOBO (Music of Black Origin) winner Guvna B.

Pictured (from left to right), back row: Marika Siewert, Kate Bluett, John Swinton, Daniel Whitehead, Isaac Wardell, Nick Brewer, Emma Holland, Stuart Townend, Brian Doerksen, Orlando Palmer, Isaac (Guvna B) Borquaye, Matt Maher, Nick Chambers, Valerie Guerra, Jane Born, Kristin Maher, Jon Guerra. Front row: Jeremy Stanley, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Jordan, Niki Paige, Paul Zach, Lizzy Ojo Martens, Jina Lee, Hillary McBride, Paul Lee, Brian Eichelberger, Michelle Furumori


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ABOUT THE PORTER'S GATE

The Porter's Gate is a sacred ecumenical arts collective reimagining and recreating worship that welcomes, reflects, and impacts both the community and the Church. 

The group was founded in 2017 by Isaac and Megan Wardell with a mission to be a "porter" for the Christian Church—one who looks beyond church doors for guests to welcome. It started as a group of fifty-plus songwriters, musicians, scholars, pastors, and music industry professionals from a variety of worship traditions and cultural backgrounds who gathered to discuss challenges in the Church and write songs in response.

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ABOUT SANCTUARY

Sanctuary equips the Church to support mental health and wellbeing.

We provide resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. Our content is developed in collaboration with theologians, psychologists, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. These resources prepare communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing.

Learn more about Sanctuary on our Mission and Vision page.

LEARN MORE

ABOUT THE PORTER'S GATE

The Porter's Gate is a sacred ecumenical arts collective reimagining and recreating worship that welcomes, reflects, and impacts both the community and the Church. 

The group was founded in 2017 by Isaac and Megan Wardell with a mission to be a "porter" for the Christian Church—one who looks beyond church doors for guests to welcome. It started as a group of fifty-plus songwriters, musicians, scholars, pastors, and music industry professionals from a variety of worship traditions and cultural backgrounds who gathered to discuss challenges in the Church and write songs in response.

LEARN MORE

ABOUT SANCTUARY

Sanctuary equips the Church to support mental health and wellbeing.

We provide resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. Our content is developed in collaboration with theologians, psychologists, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges. These resources prepare communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing. Learn more about Sanctuary on our Mission and Vision page.

LEARN MORE

THE SANCTUARY COURSE

The Sanctuary Course was created to equip churches as they seek to become sanctuaries where individuals with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging. Each session explores key mental health topics, drawing upon the insights of mental health professionals, church leaders, and people with lived experience.
 
LEARN MORE

THE SANCTUARY COURSE

The Porter's Gate is a sacred ecumenical arts collective reimagining and recreating worship that welcomes, reflects, and impacts both the community and the Church. 

The group was founded in 2017 by Isaac and Megan Wardell with a mission to be a "porter" for the Christian Church—one who looks beyond church doors for guests to welcome. It started as a group of fifty-plus songwriters, musicians, scholars, pastors, and music industry professionals from a variety of worship traditions and cultural backgrounds who gathered to discuss challenges in the Church and write songs in response.

LEARN MORE