Anchor of Hope Cancer Ministry

The Anchor of Hope Cancer Ministry at Hot Springs Baptist Church has been launched! Last night we had our kick-off/organizational meeting. It was well-attended by a group of folks who are really excited about what God is up to in this ministry. Lord willing, we will have our first monthly support group meeting on September 21st, and we will meet the third Monday of every month thereafter. We are beginning the process now of getting publicity materials printed so we can begin to spread the word about this new ministry.

You may wonder where the name "Anchor of Hope" came from...let me share that with you. Hannah had three really close friends when we lived in El Dorado. We moved from there when she was in the middle of sixth grade, but these girls have remained close through the years. When Hannah was sick, her dear friend, Brittany, found great comfort in the words of Hebrews 6:19: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul...firm and secure." She, of course, knew of Hannah's prayer for a storm, and the anchor reference in this verse was just so meaningful. She decided to have some necklaces custom-made for these three friends to wear in support of Hannah. A couple of months ago, she had two more made: one for me, and one for Bethany. As you can see, Hebrews 6:19 is engraved on the front of the anchor, and Hannah's name is engraved on the back. You can also clearly see the shape of the cross in the anchor. Notice also the rope chain...perfect for an anchor!


Bethany and I wear our necklaces every day, and are often asked about them, thus giving us the opportunity to share Hannah's story, and we can now also use the opportunity to share about the cancer ministry at our church. Thank you, Brittany (and Tyler & Hayley), for your faithful friendship to Hannah and for allowing God to use you in a way that you would never have suspected!

We are not naive about our involvement in this cancer ministry...we know that it will be difficult and painful for us at times, but we firmly believe that God is in this, and that we are following His leadership in this area. So we know that there will be joy in this journey as well. Please join us in praying that God will guide and direct us as we seek to follow His will in this area, that He will continue to raise up the right people to come alongside us in this effort, and that He will bless those who will be served through this ministry.