An old tool shed.
A group of teenagers from the Valley and the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Anchorage held a rally for the community on May 12, 1956. This event marked the opening of the Baptist Mission in Kenai. They raised money to help fund the $500 down payment on an old tool shed purchased from the Wildwood Army Post that was relocated to a site on the main street. A church grew and constituted in 1960 and reconstituted in 1965 as The First Baptist Church. For 65+ years, First Baptist Kenai has been an anchor of hope for the Peninsula. In 2021, the church began a refocus process to effectively reach our neighbors in Kenai, North Kenai, Nikiski, and Soldotna. A result of this church revitalization process, First Baptist Kenai changed it’s name to Anchor of Hope. We are remembering and reclaiming the excitement and expectation that marked our humble beginnings. If you do not have a church home and you desire to truly find and follow Jesus, you belong here. We cannot wait to meet you!
Anchor of Hope Church is affiliated with the Alaska Baptist Resource Network. Doctrinely, we are in alignment with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
Beliefs
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God
We believe in one God, who unconditionally loves all people. He eternally exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully and completely God, sharing all of the divine attributes in a perfect loving community.
Matthew 28:19 // John 1:14 // Acts 5:3-4 //
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Bible
We believe the Bible is inspired by God and completely true and authoritative in all areas of faith and practice. The Bible is a source of strength, direction, and wisdom for those who apply it to their lives.
John 17:17 // 2 Timothy 3:16 // 2 Peter 1:20-21
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Jesus
We believe Jesus Christ is the perfect revelation of God to humankind. He is fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life and died on a cross as a substitute for humanity’s sin. His resurrection from the grave affirms His victory over sin and death.
Matthew 1:18-2:12 // John 1:1-18 // Romans 3:21-26
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Humanity
We believe God created humans in His perfect image. Because of its rebellion, however, all humanity is alienated from God. As a result, humans are incapable of having a relationship with God based solely upon their effort.
Genesis 1:26 // Romans 3:10-18 // Ephesians 2:1-3
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Salvation
We believe that all who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will receive the forgiveness of sins and the free gift of eternal life. True peace and fulfillment in life is only found in a relationship with Jesus.
John 3:16, 6:35-40, 10:27-30 // Romans 8:28-39
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Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who indwells the followers of Jesus at the point of salvation. He also equips them with spiritual gifts for serving others, and guides them in the journey to become like Christ as they relinquish control of their lives.
John 14:15-26 // Acts 2:1-33 // Romans 8:1-27
Meet our pastor.
Dr. Hamilton is a featured speaker at Christian conferences, a writer in Christian publications, and inspirational speaker for numerous faith-based organizations. He coaches ministry leaders in AK and around the globe. Jim has led multi-million dollar faith-based nonprofits, served local churches as a lead pastor and interim, helped start new churches, and provided his expertise as a church consultant to numerous congregations.
Jim has been married to his high school sweetheart Lisa for almost 43 years. He's dad to 5 grown children and "Papa" to 13 grand kids. Jim emphasized that Lisa is an important part of his ministry and can offer much spousal support to missionaries and pastors in bush communities.
Dr. Hamilton has earned degrees from Wayland Baptist University, Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, and Bethany Divinity College and Seminary. Dr. Hamilton has more than 35 years of experience as a vocational minister serving in local churches and para-church organizations. Jim served as a pastor/planter in Alaska and Indiana for a total of 14 years. Early in his ministry he and Lisa were house parents for Baptist Children’s Homes for a total of 5 years. Jim was Executive Director at Dakota Baptist Convention for 8 years, Executive Director for a 100+ church network in Southeast Texas for 4 years, and is now Executive Director at Arctic Barnabas Ministries in Kenai, Alaska.
Jim has impacted the business sector mentoring entrepreneurs, coaching executives, and consulting with companies around organizational development. Dr. Hamilton has worked as a paid professional coach for 14+ years in the areas of executive, leadership and business coaching. As a consultant, Jim works with companies around organizational development. Jim is a Birkman Certified Professional. He delivers the Birkman Method Assessment within organizations and companies to develop and enhance human capital.