Canvas is everything I wished for in a church. It has been incredibly healing, and I'm so grateful for this community of heart-centered, honest, and authentic people.
I've always been drawn to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus, but I've struggled with past churches' stances on LGBTQ+ issues, racism, and other social matters. I don't believe true Christians would reject minorities, and that left me guarded.
Something was calling me back to church, so I decided to look for one on Yelp. I wasn't planning to stick around, just wanted to drop in for a Sunday service and see how it felt.
In June 2024, I found Canvas while searching for well-reviewed churches in San Francisco, and I was immediately impressed by their clear, modern website. It was easy to sign up, and by Sunday, I was there.
When I arrived, my first thought was how beautiful the space was--bright, open, and visionary. I was warmly greeted by genuine people, grabbed a coffee and a doughnut, and sat down. The co-lead pastors, Travis and Jena, were discussing Love Week, a week-long service project to partner with local nonprofits in San Francisco. Their passion reminded me of why I was drawn to the teachings of Jesus in the first place.
Over the next several months, I kept going back--even after taking a two-month break for work. I got involved pretty quickly; I was baptized, attended Belong Night, Family Night, joined a volunteer team, participated in Alpha (a growth group), and became part of a women's group. Each time I took a step deeper with Canvas, I felt God's support and confirmation.
Now, after five months, I can confidently say that Travis and Jena are the most authentic and consistent pastors I've met. They truly walk with God and Jesus, and they've created a safe space for people who've been hurt by the church or by issues like racism and prejudice. Their actions speak louder than words.
What stands out about Canvas is the sincerity, transparency, and honesty in everything they do. This isn't just a welcoming church--it's a place actively working to unlearn the harmful practices of the past. It's inclusive to POC, WOC, and queer folks and they're taking steps to address racism, division, and prejudice.
Every interaction I've had with Canvas' leadership and community has been deeply loving, generous, and genuine. They truly care about their members and the people of San Francisco.
One of the key messages Travis has been leading us through recently is to "Love Where You Live." He spoke about how, historically, San Francisco has been a place where people come to take what they can--dating back to the Gold Rush and continuing today with tech and AI. But he challenged us to imagine what it would look like if, instead of taking, we gave, served, and prayed for the city. Hearing this message and seeing it in action has been deeply inspirational and pivotal for me. It's hard to put into words, but it has transformed how I think about and feel toward living in my city.
Canvas is bridging divides and restoring faith in a way I haven't seen in my 30 years of living here as a native. If you're on the fence, I highly recommend trying a Sunday service. Come see for yourself. Like me, you might be surprised by what you find. read more