COME ON BOARD

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

    I have found that faith in Jesus Christ is the true anchor in all of life, through life’s storms and the aftermath that follows.

    A SHORT HISTORY

    The biggest storm of my life was when my daughter Karina passed away on April 26th, 2010 after a five-year battle with leukemia. My faith in Jesus held so strong for myself, my daughter and my family. I had a passion and desire to share how real Jesus is and how He brings His amazing love, comfort, strength and hope to women of all ages.

    I gathered a few friends together and we talked about creating a place where women could gather in a non-threatening environment hearing real life stories and testimonies about the hope that faith in Jesus brings while a community of new and old friends alike grew. After much prayer and dreaming, The Anchor officially began in March of 2012 in a net shed on the waterfront in Gig Harbor.

    So many women walk the journey of life alone with no hope or stability. Coming together in community with women of all ages and hearing real life stories/testimonies of the faithfulness of God in one’s life brings hope and encouragement.

    CORE STATEMENTS

    MISSION STATEMENT: The Anchor is a gathering for women of all ages and backgrounds to be encouraged and anchored in faith and friendship.

    FOUNDING VERSES

    “We have this hope [Jesus] as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19

    “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

    TAGLINE: Be Encouraged. Encourage literally by definition means to bring hope to someone and that is exactly what the Anchor is all about! We desire for women to be encouraged, to be filled with the hope of knowing Jesus as our anchor, and to live life to the fullest.

    ELEMENTS OF A GATHERING

    Whether the gathering you are hosting is in person or virtual, there are consistent components across all gatherings. Elements with an * are provided via a YouTube video during a Virtual Gathering.

    Happy Half HourThis is a social time to build community and friendship, two aspects of The Anchor that are so important when bringing women together.
    Music*Having a message from an entertainment angle creates community through listening.
    Mixer/Icebreaker QuestionsWe have this time for women to meet someone new by answering fun questions. This helps them to get to know each other, make new friends, and deepen old friendships.
    Anchor Moment*The Anchor Moment is a personal testimony from a woman and a time for the group to hear her answers to three questions:

    1. Tell us a little about yourself.
    2. Tell us a little about your faith journey.
    3. Tell us about an Anchor Moment which is a time in your life your faith has been grounded in Jesus and you’ve seen Jesus to be real.
    Message*The Message is the sharing of a woman’s hopeful personal story about Jesus. It goes deeper and uses Scripture as support. Questions are provided by the speaker for small group discussions.
    Drawing x 2We love this element of fun and surprise! The Raffle helps to build our mailing list.

    IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

    What is needed to start an in-person gathering in your community?

    • Prayer and Passion are needed first and foremost.
    • An Anchor team head leader (The Anchor Woman) — that’s YOU!

    • Prayerfully form a team. The team can be any number of gals who share the same passion to help get the word out about the hope found in Jesus.

    • Organize responsibilities for team members. In addition to the Anchor Woman, team members will fulfill the following responsibilities within our brand standards:

      • oversee the promotion of the Anchor through email and social media

      • personally invite women to the Anchor

      • oversee hospitality such coordinating food and drinks, table décor and any other decorations for the gathering

    • Find a venue such as a house, local community center, wedding venue, office space, restaurant, etc. The Gig Harbor Anchor first was held in a net shed in the harbor. Many venues donate the space.

    • Confirm the Message Speaker. Research speakers at first and make a list of potential women to speak at gatherings.

    • Confirm a musician to play a fun secular song and a light worshipful one. Choose songs that aren’t too “churchy” being aware that The Anchor is an outreach ministry for all women in differing places on their faith journey.

    • Confirm a person to share their Anchor Moment (a short testimony answering three questions). The format should be an “interview” with a team member.

    • Have Raffle/Registration cards available. These are the cards women fill out with their name, email and address and are available on the Anchor Portal. Use these to choose the raffle winner and make sure to enter the data in your email lists.

    • Call a team meeting to plan, pray, and encourage one another to get the word out and invite friends.

    • Set out a donation basket to collect money to help offset the cost for food, drink, decorations, raffle items, etc.

    • Each Anchor team member is encouraged to prayerfully consider and ask family and friends to help promote The Anchor.

    HOST AN ANCHOR AT HOME

    What is needed to start a virtual gathering in your community?

    • Virtual Gatherings were Inspired and based on the Luke 10:38-42 Bible passage. Sisters Mary and Martha open their home to Jesus and sit and listen to Him. Virtual Gatherings began during the pandemic but are still encouraged today! They can be small or large depending on your home.
    • Prayer and Passion are needed first and foremost.
    • An Anchor team head leader (The Anchor Woman) — that’s YOU!

    • Prayerfully form a team. The team can be any number of gals who share the same passion to help get the word out about the hope found in Jesus.

    • Organize responsibilities for team members. In addition to the Anchor Woman, team members will fulfill the following responsibilities within our brand standards:

      • oversee the promotion of the Anchor through email and social media

      • personally invite women to the Anchor

      • oversee hospitality such coordinating food and drinks, table décor and any other decorations for the gathering

    • Hospitality is key in providing a welcoming and inviting environment.

    • Prayerfully consider and invite women to your Virtual Gathering (Anchor at Home) the 1st Thursday of each month.

    • Example of an Anchor at Home timeline:

      • 6:30-7:00 Social Happy Half Hour

      • 7:00-7:45 Anchor at Home video

      • 7:45-8:15 Discussion time

    • A Watch Party Kit will be provided online and includes fun recipes for drinks and appetizers, bios on musician and speakers, icebreaker questions, and discussion questions for the message. You can send to your invitees.

    • Allow time for the mixer/icebreaker questions before the video begins and time for discussion questions after the video has ended.

    • Encourage team members to share the Anchor at Home link, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and like and share The Anchor social media accounts.

    • The Anchor at Home video YouTube link will be provided and can be viewed on television, computer or mobile.

    SHARING THE HOPE

    Thank you for helping to share the HOPE we have in Jesus Christ — the true ANCHOR in this stormy world — to women of all ages and backgrounds everywhere!

    “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)