Columbus, Ohio
Richard Westley
Johnson
Pastor · Spiritual Director · Speaker
Founding pastor of Sanctuary Columbus. Building relationships across cultural, religious, and political lines through preaching, spiritual direction, and honest conversation.
"...to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."
Micah 6:8About
A pastor at the intersection of prayer and presence
Richard Westley Johnson is the founding pastor of Sanctuary Columbus, an Evangelical Covenant Church established in 2011 — a multiracial, justice-oriented, and contemplative community committed to forming disciples who love one another and are transformed by Jesus for lives of service.
With a deep passion for unity, Pastor Rich builds relationships across cultural, religious, and political differences through speaking, facilitation, and community engagement across Columbus and beyond. He is a trained spiritual director through Healing Care Ministries, where he has also served for several years as a trainer, mentor, and speaker — helping form leaders rooted in prayerful discernment and attentive presence.
Richard has been married to his wife, Shalla, for 25 years, and together they are raising four children, two in college and two in high school. In his free time, he enjoys singing, collecting vinyl records, group exercise, and contemplative reading.
- Education
- Child Development, Morehouse College ('98)
Education, William & Mary ('00)
Christian Formation, North Park Theological Seminary ('15)
D.Min. (in progress), Portland Seminary ('28) — spiritual formation & leadership - Training
- Certified Spiritual Director, Healing Care Ministries
- Rooted in
- Micah 6:8 — justice, mercy, and humility before God
Ways we might work together
Speaking, direction, and space to slow down
Speaking
Sermons, keynotes, and facilitated conversations on unity across difference, justice, and a contemplative faith that holds up under pressure — for churches, campuses, and organizations.
Request Rich to speak →1:1 Spiritual Direction
A quiet, confidential space to notice where God is present in your life. Rich is a trained spiritual director through Healing Care Ministries, offering ongoing companionship for the journey.
Learn about direction training →Retreat Facilitation
Guided time away for churches, staff teams, and small groups — built around scripture, silence, and structured practices of discernment drawn from the contemplative tradition.
Plan a retreat →A free resource
A Simple Rule for Discernment
A short, practical guide to a five-step framework for discerning well — drawn from years of teaching pastors, seminarians, and everyday people how to listen for God's voice in real decisions. Includes a closing embodied prayer practice you can return to any time.
From the Substack
Reflections on unity, discernment, and a slower faith
Rich writes regularly on contemplative practice, leading across difference, and what it looks like to walk with God without pretending to have it all figured out. New essays land in your inbox as they're written.
Read on SubstackCommunities
Where Rich pastors and trains
Church
Sanctuary Columbus
A multiracial, justice-oriented, and contemplative church community in Columbus, Ohio, where Rich serves as founding pastor.
Visit Sanctuary Columbus →Training
Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction
North Park Theological Seminary's center for the formation of spiritual directors, where Rich trains and mentors emerging directors.
Learn more →Get in touch
Speaking, retreats, and general inquiries
Whether you're inviting Rich to speak, planning a retreat, or just have a question — this note comes straight to his inbox.