Our History

Sanctuary of Praise was founded in December, 1987, by a group of people led by Dr. Bob Johnson. The first services were held at Cuyahoga Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

During the third service, they elected Rev. Phil and Yaunna Higgins as their pastor. Pastor Phil had recently left the Cathedral of Tomorrow, where he had served as pastor. He was a tremendous teacher, a great visionary, and equipped the people to know their spiritual giftedness. He was instrumental in developing the Mission Statement and the drawing that lays it out for people to understand. He laid out the by-laws for this congregation and led us into an understanding of the body of Christ. He was able to lead this congregation as they moved to five different locations. It was through Pastor Phil and Yaunna’s ministry that this church was set on a solid foundation. They served this body from December, 1987 until July, 1991 when they moved to Alaska.

In September, 1989, Rev. David and Sandy Fisher became the Associate Pastors under Pastor Phil where they served in that position until July, 1991, when they became Senior Pastor. During the last eleven years, they have inspired the people to reach for the destiny God has planned for them. God is using them to reach out to this city by praying for it, feeding it, clothing families, and teaching them God’s ways. He has been instrumental in partnering up with an African American pastor and his congregation, bringing us together in racial reconciliation. He helped in the planning of three annual Love Akron retreats, where pastors of every denomination in the Greater Akron area gathered, for two days of fellowship and prayer. He has been used by God to go to Moscow, Russia and Giyani, South Africa. Throughout Giyani, he has been able to speak with African leadership in churches to break down walls and bring them together for medical/food outreaches. His hunger for our city and the nations of the world, stirs the people of Sanctuary. Pastor Dave and Sandy have four children and all of them serve in the ministry.

That’s our story of where we began, but more importantly, where are we going? A man once said, “Never let your past be the hook that keeps you in bondage from reaching your destiny.”