Skip to main content

Anchor House Week 26 - Needs Met

One of things I get to do in my role with Anchor House is visit churches and invite them into partnership with the mission. What we need most is people willing to donate their time and serve alongside us at SeaPort Manatee. We are seeking followers of Jesus who want to consistently serve in a ministry with a local and global impact. We are inviting people who are motivated by love and want to love others.

Many times when I approach a church they are expecting a financial “ask”. While we are an independent 501c3 mission and rely on the generosity of others to exist, money is not our primary “ask”. I can imagine churches frequently get approached by missions and ministries hoping for funding. I believe as missionaries and leaders of ministries, our responsibility is to share with God’s people what He is doing through us. Once we do that I think we need to allow the Holy Spirit to work.  The Holy Spirit will guide them as to how or if a church or person should engage with the mission. 

I believe that God will provide for Anchor House. For almost 30 years God has faithfully provided so that His ministry may be done through Anchor House and those who serve Him. Paul, in the letter to the Phillipians, writes, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” There is no doubt, God will meet our needs in every area of our need.

If you give financially to the mission, thank you for joining us as partners. Your generosity is an inspiration. If you give of your time,  please accept my sincere gratitude. You are the heartbeat of the mission. Whether you clean a bathroom, drive the van, heat up foods in the kitchen, help build ditty bags, staff the center in the evening, or any number of amazing other actions, know that we celebrate you with thanksgiving. No matter how you have been called to partner with Anchor House, you are a blessing to the international seafarers and SeaPort Manatee community. We are grateful for you. 

If you read this and feel called to step in and serve with us, email me at AnchorHouseMission2@gmail.com.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...

Anchor House Week 10: I Love It

This past week was week 10 at Anchor House. When I run into friends who I used to work with at State College of Florida or friends I haven't seen in a while, the first question is, "How do you like it?" I typically reply, "I love it." This week I've been challenged about that answer. It just won't do. It is too generic of an answer to truly describe what I am experiencing. It's too simple to describe the blessing of God working through you. It is too plain to explain the feeling of knowing you are right where God has planned for you to be.  I always thought I had purpose in my career. I know we are to worship God through the work He has provided for us to do. At times, however, the work I previously did seemed mundane and lacking purpose. I felt like I could do God's work where I was, but I had this feeling as if there was something more.  A week or so ago I was with one of our partner churches sharing how God works through Anchor H...

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...