The Outreach Sanctuary

About

Leslie Oliver hails from 4 generations of preachers and worship leaders. Born in Newark, N.J., she holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Full Sail University. and a M.Div in Pastoral Care from Union Presbyterian Seminary.

She joined the Unity Fellowship Church Movement in 1993 and became a deacon in 1997, and a Minister in 2002 at Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, under the leadership of Pastor Jacquelyn Holland.

She relocated to Charlotte in 2004, and served as Minister of Praise Arts at Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte under the leadership of Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls. She was consecrated as UFCM’s National Minister of Music in 2007 and ordained as a Reverend in 2009. 

In 2015, Pastor “Isai”founded Sanctuary Outreach Ministries, a multi dimensional creative experience committed to spreading the gospel of liberation, wellness and social justice.

She is currently a leader in the Southeastern region of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries ( TFAM), as well as a lead theomusicologist for NC’s Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival.

She has authored 3 books, has appeared in select anthologies and magazine publications, and currently creates visual art and poetry as a womanist expressionist.

She is also known as the House Music Queen vocalist "Jazmina", with a music career and global music catalog spanning over 3 decades.

Now know as “ Pastor Isai (“ee-sye ), she is currently completing her 2nd art collection and has been a visual artist since 2020.

She is also a published photographer, beginning that journey in 2004.

She is the mother of a cat-son, Pluto, and one daughter, Judah, who is a 2024 cum laude graduate from Howard University.

Sanctuary Outreach is a creative experience that utilizes the arts (music, art, writing, singing, drama, etc.) to encourage individuals to embrace abundant life. The arts along with practical life applications are utilized to empower and encourage individuals to choose happiness as a springboard.  

This movement was created to provide a safe and inclusive network of spiritual support and outreach for all people, and to build a bridge of love that serves  those impacted by poverty, prejudice and religious discrimination. We provide encouragement and spiritual support and to citizens from all perspectives of faith and the life experience.