Anchor Baptist Church is a relatively young church. Since our first days of existence we have clearly seen the Hand of God at work. He has overwhelmed us with blessing upon blessing, including: the birth of new believers in Christ, new family members, a new mission, new ministries, new staff members, new buildings and so much more. Read on for a brief recounting of our short but incredible history. We believe you will agree with us that the only explanation for what has developed is the Lord at work. May His name be ever praised.

At Christmas 1999, two couples felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to begin a new work for Christ in south Lexington incorporating traditional worship styles with a pastoral approach to ministry and service.  A general interest meeting was held February 11, 2000 and eighty-four people encouraged the progress.  On March 5, 2000 the first service of worship was held at the Milward Funeral Home on Southland Drive in Lexington.  One hundred forty-seven worshipers brought $11,000 in gifts and sixty-eight joined to officially begin Anchor Baptist Church that first Sunday.  Four months later we moved our worship to the Lexington Community College auditorium and began a Sundayschool.  Prayer meetings were begun in the manufacturing plant lounge of Audio Authority Corporation in north Lexington.

By God’s grace and blessing, 8.325 acres of farm land were purchased, located at the corner of Man o’ War Boulevard and Winthrop Drive in Lexington and dedicated April 2003.  ByThanksgiving Sunday2003 we had broken ground. We moved into our first home Christmas 2004 with one hundred eighty members. 

Year five saw the birth of our first mission with an emphasis on ministering to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing persons.  That was quickly followed by ordaining our first pastor to deaf and the official establishment the Bluegrass Deaf Mission under the leadership of Pastor Brian Cross.

The sixth and seventh years were strong in growth from the seeds planted in previous years and by God bringing the harvest.  In the thirty-two months following the move-in to the first facility, membership increased to 480 and the need for additional space became acute.

June 18, 2006 we welcomed our first full-time pastor for music, worship and discipleship in Dr. Carl Peters.  Immediately, plans were considered to accommodate the rapid growth and it was determinedand approved that additional education and activity space was crucial in ministering to the new young families fromour community and neighborhood.

To prepare for growth and ministry opportunities, we called Mat Whitaker as the full-time pastor for youth, children and families March 15, 2007.  And by May 15, 2007, ground was once again broken for a new addition, the Anchor Resource Center or ARC. Opened in May 2008, this 18,600 square feet houses classrooms, a craft room, a kitchen, activity rooms for the youth and children, a full sized basketball court, indoor volleyball court, and the new home for our Bluegrass Deaf Mission.  A children’s playground was added in July 2008.

From a facilities perspective, looking to the future we see the need and call for a dedicated sanctuary, music suite, pastoral offices, and more parking.  We believe Father has ordained the plans that we will find in His time. 

And yet, our focus is not on buildings and land but on leading, feeding, and loving this growing band of believers and those Father sends to us to introduce to the Savior.  What will years ahead bring?  He has the answer and provisions.  All glory and praise to the Christ.