Frequently Asked Questions

We currently gather on Sundays at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM at the Dignity Memorial Event Center in Wildwood, Florida. We also meet on some Sundays at The Brownwood Hotel.

Our meeting location will be listed on our homepage each week, so be sure to check before attending.

We're a new church plant building a community of people passionate about Jesus, biblical truth, and making a difference in Central Florida.

Not yet! Our official Launch Sunday is January 17, 2027!

But you don't have to wait until then to be part of what God is doing!

We're already gathering every Sunday for worship, biblical teaching, and building community. During this season, we're developing leaders, building our volunteer teams, and putting the systems and ministries in place for a strong launch.

This is a unique opportunity to get involved on the ground floor, build relationships, discover where you can serve, and help shape the future of Anchor Church.

You don't have to wait until launch day to find your place. There's a place for you right now!

You can expect a friendly atmosphere, passionate worship, biblical teaching, and people who are genuinely glad you're there.

Our gatherings include worship, prayer, and a practical message from God's Word that challenges and encourages us to follow Jesus throughout the week.

We're not interested in simply attending church on Sundays. We want to build people who follow Jesus Monday through Saturday.

Come as you are! You'll see everything from jeans and casual clothes to people dressed up for Sunday. We're far more interested in getting to know you than what you're wearing.

We encourage registration while we're meeting in a temporary venue with limited seating. You can find the registration information on our homepage.

Even if you haven't registered, we'd love to welcome you, subject to available space.

Then we're especially glad you're considering Anchor Church!

You don't have to have everything figured out, know all the answers, or have a perfect past to walk through our doors.

Whether you're returning to faith, exploring Christianity for the first time, or just looking for a fresh start, you're welcome here.

Yes! Anchor Kids is currently available for children ages 4-11 during both Sunday Gatherings.

Our heart is to create a welcoming environment where children can learn about Jesus, build friendships, and grow in their faith.

As Anchor Church grows, we're working toward expanding our ministries for children and students.

Absolutely! Families are welcome to worship together, and children are always welcome in our gatherings.

Anchor Church is a Bible-believing, non-denominational Christian church committed to helping people know Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.

We believe the Bible is God's Word, Jesus is the only way to salvation, and the Holy Spirit is still actively working in people's lives today.

We believe church should be full of both grace and truth-where people are genuinely loved and challenged to become more like Jesus.

Our beliefs are rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus Christ.

We believe in the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; salvation by grace through faith in Jesus; the authority of Scripture; water baptism; and the present-day work and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

You can read our complete Statement of Faith on our What We Believe page.

Our name comes from Hebrews 6:19, which describes the hope we have in Jesus as a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Life can be unpredictable. Circumstances change, storms come, and everything around us can feel uncertain. But Jesus is the hope that holds.

That's why we say, Hope Has a Home.

Anchor Church is led by Pastor Chris Bates and his wife, Kate.

Chris is a second-generation pastor with more than 20 years of ministry experience. Together, Chris and Kate have a heart for building a healthy, life-giving church where people encounter Jesus, develop authentic relationships, and discover their God-given purpose.

We're building Anchor Church around four core values:

• Boldly Biblical - God's Word is our foundation, not the shifting opinions of culture.
• Search and Rescue - We exist to reach people who are far from God and help them find new life in Jesus.
• Above Reproach - We value integrity, accountability, and doing what's right, even when no one is watching.
• For God's Glory - Everything we do is about making Jesus known, not building our own name.

We don't want people to simply leave church feeling better about themselves. We want them to leave becoming more like Jesus.

Not at all!

Anchor Church is for people of all ages and stages of life. We love serving families, young adults, retirees, and everyone in between.

We're passionate about reaching The Villages, Wildwood, Middleton, and the surrounding Central Florida communities.

There are plenty of ways to become part of what God is building at Anchor Church!

You can attend a Sunday Gathering, join us for an upcoming event, get connected with others, or explore opportunities to serve.

We believe every follower of Jesus has gifts, talents, and a purpose. Church isn't meant to be a spectator sport. Everyone has a part to play.

Building authentic community is an important part of our vision. As our church grows, we're developing opportunities for people to connect, study God's Word, pray together, and build lasting friendships.

Check our website for upcoming group opportunities and gatherings.

You can support the mission of Anchor Church through a one-time gift or recurring giving.

Anchor Church is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and eligible contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Visit our Giving page for more information.

The best way to stay connected is through our website and social media channels.

You can also complete the contact form on our homepage to receive updates about upcoming gatherings, events, and opportunities to get involved.