We Have An Anchor:
Medford Special Meetings

By Candy Hall

The atmosphere was filled with wonderful sounds and smells as we entered the church doors Friday evening for the first service of our special meetings. Music was wafting from the music room, conversations were in the air, and the aroma of Italian food to be served after the service was teasing our appetites!

The theme for the weekend was “We Have An Anchor,” with Hebrews 6:19 being the Biblical “anchor.” The verse was displayed in the table centerpieces as well as on a large banner in the activity room. Those entering the narthex were also greeted by the words, “Which hope we have as an anchor . . . both sure and steadfast” splashed on a bulletin board.

The Friday evening service opened with a rousing trombone solo from Medford , and a medley of numbers by the Roseburg Bluegrass Ensemble. Reverend Kerby Thompson led the congregation in several hymns, including “In Times Like These,” which has a chorus reminding us that in times like these we do need an anchor. A welcoming round of applause was offered as our pastor, Reverend Bill McKibben, introduced our guest speaker, Ron Gaddis, from our Los Angeles church.

After several specials and some “short and loud” testimonies (as requested by our pastor), Ron gave an inspiring message about our Anchor. He brought out the characteristics of an anchor which give us stability and security. An anchor does not keep a boat from rocking, but will keep it from drifting away. Likewise, God will not let us drift if we wholly trust and believe He is our Anchor, sure and steadfast. If we did not go through the storms of life, we would not need to prove our Anchor, but we know that no storm is too big for Him. The Spirit of the Lord washed over the congregation, and the altar was full before the closing song, “Til the Storm Passes By,” was over.

On Saturday morning we enjoyed a devotional given by Will Rozmaity from Portland. He shared some of his testimony of being raised in the Ukraine under communism. The Bible was the anchor of believers there, who would share portions of it with other believers, and who had to literally hide it. They also hid the Word in their hearts to draw strength from in times of trouble. Will reminded us that the Bible is an anchor for all believers. It is infallible, inspired of God, invaluable, inerrant, whole, set apart, and our doctrines are an expression of it. He mentioned that research shows that a large percentage of preachers do not believe that the Bible is our infallible anchor. Using the example of the story of Jonah being swallowed by a large fish, he emphasized that our faith in God's Word should be so anchored that we would believe it even if the story said that Jonah swallowed the large fish! Whether men believe it or not, God's Word “shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

There were several activities for the young people on Saturday afternoon, capped off with a pizza feed in the activity room. We ended the day with an evening of musical specials “anchored” by the young men's Forerunner Quartet from Portland. Afterwards, Ron Gaddis challenged the young people with the importance of taking risks for the Lord. We were inspired by his exhortation that God doesn't need quitters; we need to be “doing” until the Lord comes. Satan can do no more to us than God allows. God included young people in His plan for the world. Worldly fun is inconsistent like a roller coaster; the thrill is brief and then you have to get back in line. The world cannot compete with the excitement of the Gospel, which gives joy that lasts.

Sunday morning the choir offered the theme once again by singing “The Anchor Holds,” and Andy Chasteen led the congregation in praising the Lord in song. Ron Gaddis began his message by asking everyone to say, “I'm glad about it,” in unison and requesting us to keep that thought in mind. He used Psalm 42:5 as part of his text and referred to David “talking to his soul” about being “disquieted” and telling God that he would praise Him anyway. Ron challenged us to be thankful for the anchor we have in God and shared some tips on how to do this. He said, “You had better talk to yourself before yourself talks to you!” We need to continually talk to God and make Him our friend. As our Anchor, He fits every situation and will always work according to our needs.   Ron referred to Psalm 71 and said that repetition in praising God encourages us. God inhabits the praise of His people. There is power in the name of Jesus and He is the only Anchor suspended from Heaven!

Sunday evening there was another outpouring of God's blessings as we were joined by visitors from Grants Pass and Roseburg. Ginny Friesen sang “'Til the Storm Passes Over” before Ron Gaddis brought his final message of the weekend. His topic was “God is on the other side of your need.” Toward the end of the sermon, weeping could be heard and there was a movement toward the altars before the sermon was over. Many prayed and received blessings from the Lord. We received reports of several people being saved and at least one sanctified during the weekend. Truly, it was a special time of “anchoring our souls” anew in the Lord.