Meet Our Pastors
Our Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Team have committed their lives to reach others for Christ. They join in worship with other believers and strive to meet human needs with ministries of love and compassion.
senior pastor:
Pastor Sam & Ruth Kaunley
Senior Pastor
Pastor Sam and Ruth grew up in minister’s homes that passed the love for the Lord and His church on to them. Even though their settings were very different, the focus of winning the lost was the same. Pastor Sam served in several vocations before entering full-time ministry at The Sanctuary of Hope. He retired from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, served Burlington Northern Railroad, SRC Holding Corporation and Central Assembly. Ruth was privileged to be a part of the Central Bible College faculty for nearly thirty years. The Kaunley’s are blessed with two wonderful children and their spouses Nate & Becky Kaunley and Natalie & Benaiah Snider along with six amazing grandchildren—Zion, Israel, Avi, Aria, Emmanuelle, and Avah.
staff pastors:
Benaiah & Natalie Snider
Associate Pastor
Restoration Connection
Benaiah and Natalie Snider live in Springfield, Missouri and have 3 children, Israel,Aria and Avah.
Benaiah works for Springfield City Utilities. He be involved in mission trips to Africa and India through Healing River’s International Outreach. Natalie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling from Central Bible College. She has worked as a paraprofessional for children with special needs. She is currently a stay at homemom. Benaiah and Natalie are the Nursery Directors at The Sanctuary of Hope in addition, Benaiah also plays bass and
volunteers in Childrens’ Church. They have a passion for horses, special needs children and ministry.
Brian & Emily Christenson
Associate Pastor/Music & Finance
Emily is the wife of Brian Christenson and the mother of Olivia, Ella and Tobin. Both Brian and Emily work in the Branson area. Brian is a High School Math Teacher and coach at Branson. Emily is a realtor with RE/MAX Lifestyle Realty. Brian has a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Education from College of the Ozarks. He has a Master’s in Education and Administration from Lindenwood University. Emily has a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing from College of the Ozarks. They are both long time members of the Sanctuary of Hope beginning just a few weeks after the church began. Brian and Emily have witnessed the progression of the Sanctuary and know that the “best is yet to come!” They are looking forward to continued spiritual growth in each individual and anticipating great things to be done in the name of Jesus. Brian and Emily feel blessed to be serving and ministering at the Sanctuary.
Brandon & Kendra Scott
Associate Pastor/Youth
Brandon and Kendra Scott have a passion for working with young children and teenagers. They spend their weekdays working for Branson Public Schools and the weekends in the Children’s Ministry at The Sanctuary of Hope. Brandon teaches Physical Education at Branson Buchannan Intermediate School and is the Head Girls Soccer Coach at Branson High School. Kendra taught Special Education at Branson High School for 5 years and now is a Special Education Process Coordinator for the district. Brandon has a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and a Minor in Exercise Science from Evangel University. Kendra has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Evangel University. She also holds a Master’s in Special Education and a Specialist’s in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. They have 2 children, Kenlee and Corbin. They feel blessed to be a part of a growing program at the Sanctuary.
Greg & Julia Scott
Associate Pastor
Education and Children
Greg was born and raised in the Branson area. Greg and Julia met at College of the Ozarks and have been working with children for 30 years. Greg has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from College of the Ozarks and an Early Childhood Degree from Missouri State University. Julia has a Bachelor’s in Education from College of the Ozarks. She also holds a Master’s in Education from Drury University. Greg taught Kindergarten at Branson Public Schools for 5 years prior to owning The Shack Café in Downtown Branson. Julia taught Special Education and retired after 30 years as the Special Education Director at Branson Public Schools. They enjoy babysitting their 2 grandchildren (Kenlee and Corbin), traveling and the outdoors. Greg loves working beside his brother-in-law in Cross Trail Outfitters, a ministry serving young men and teaching them to hunt and fish.They love working with their son and daughter-in-love, Brandon and Kendra Scott in the Children’s Ministry at The Sanctuary. They have been blessed to watch the program and the children grow in the Lord.