About Lauren
Encouraging leaders to see the possibilities already within the people and places they've been entrusted to steward.
I’ve always been drawn to creating spaces where people feel like they belong.
Whether around a beautifully set table, inside a church building, at a retreat, or over a simple cup of coffee, I've seen time and again that genuine hospitality has the power to change the way people experience a place and one another.
That belief has shaped every chapter of my professional life.
Over the past two decades, I've worked across hospitality, events, ministry and community development, helping people gather in ways that feel thoughtful, welcoming and deeply human. Along the way I've had the privilege of founding Sanctuary Canberra, establishing At Her Table Ministries, and creating Spaces for Good, each different in its expression, but all grounded in the same heart.
Today, I have the privilege of working with churches and Christian leaders to reimagine underused spaces, cultivate belonging, and create places where people, purpose and place flourish together.
What matters most to me isn't simply creating beautiful spaces.
It's creating places where people feel seen.
Where conversations deepen.
Where communities grow stronger.
And where hospitality becomes more than welcoming people through a door - it becomes a way of living.
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me sharing a meal with family or friends, discovering beautiful cafés, travelling, collecting vintage English china, or dreaming up new ways to bring people together. I'd love to connect with you and hear your story.
Lauren Harkness.
Professional bio.
Lauren Harkness is passionate about helping churches become places where people feel welcomed, connected and like they truly belong.
With a background spanning hospitality, ministry, events and community building, Lauren has spent more than twenty years creating spaces where people can gather, flourish and experience genuine connection. Her work has grown from a deep belief that God often works through ordinary places, thoughtful hospitality and meaningful relationships.
Through Spaces for Good and At Her Table Ministries, Lauren works with churches and Christian leaders to reimagine underused spaces, strengthen community and create places where people, purpose and place flourish together.
Lauren is the founder of Sanctuary Canberra, a much-loved community venue that grew from an underused church hall into a thriving place of belonging, and she continues to share the lessons from that journey with churches across Australia.
Whether she's speaking, facilitating workshops or simply sitting around a table with a cup of tea, Lauren loves encouraging leaders to see the possibilities already within the people and places they've been entrusted to steward.
Let's Talk.
Ready to breathe new life into your space?
Whether you’re repurposing a historic building or activating a dormant site, we’re here to guide you with creativity, strategy, and care.
Book a free discovery call and let’s explore how your space can serve your community with purpose and impact.
Rise Events Pty Ltd | ACN: 667 646 200
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In the spirit of reconciliation, we would like to respectfully acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather and also to the traditional custodians throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who gather with us.