I’m Allysen Schaaf. I’ve served with Sardis since the Fall of 2021. My role at Sardis focuses on engaging with visitors, new members, and the wider community, supporting Sardis small groups, and fostering relationships, understanding, and impactful engagement with our local and global mission partners. I also provide creative visioning for our Contemporary Worship service and support our Contemporary Worship music leaders. You’ll also find me sharing leadership in our Traditional worship service as well. I enjoy connecting with our members of all ages and helping them connect to God, to each other, and to our neighbors near and far. I also enjoy being a part of the Presbytery of Charlotte and serving with its Antiracism Cohort.

Away from church life you’ll usually find me running around town with my spouse and our two young children. We love exploring nature trails, parks, family friendly food spots, doing art projects and cooking together.

Originally from Nebraska, I still treasure my midwestern roots and family ties there. During my teenage years, my immediate family moved to Thomasville, NC and joined Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in High Point, NC. I studied Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I was also deeply involved in Presbyterian Campus Ministry. I completed a M.Div. and M.A.C.E. dual degree at Union Presbyterian Seminary and later earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. My doctoral studies focused on reimagining congregational mission beliefs and practices.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the folks at Sardis and alongside our neighbors near and far as we work together with God to build the kind of beloved community God envisions for us all.