About Us
Who We Are
The Anchorage is a faith-based ministry. Our program is reliant on Biblical principles to guide us in therapy with about 50 men in the program. We believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ is foundational to successfully overcoming alcohol and drug dependencies. Without the Divine intervention and the power of the Holy Spirit our program has no power to be an agent of change for men’s lives.
We are also a ministry of Faith. We trust God to provide the resources to keep this ministry operating. God has been faithful to sustain The Anchorage for over 70 years! There have been times our faith has been tested, but God has always been faithful to support His work.
What does it cost to enter The Anchorage? We charge a nominal admission fee. There are no other costs to the men in the program or their families. Many could not afford to pay. We are dependent on the faithful giving of God’s people to provide our needs. We are supported by churches, individuals, and foundations.
The Anchorage is a 501C(3) incorporated in the state of Georgia. We accept no federal or state funds.
Our Story
The Anchorage has deep roots in the community and the word of Christ. Our story began in 1953, when the Hudson Malone Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church of Albany faced the challenge of trying to aid a person with alcoholism. After several unsuccessful attempts, the group located a Christ-based alcohol rehab center, Bethel Colony of Mercy, in Lenoir, North Carolina. The man entered the facility where he received spiritual counseling. The teaching opened his eyes to his need for Christ to replace his need for alcohol.
The Sunday school class soon recognized the need for such a program in Southwest Georgia. They established and incorporated The Anchorage, Inc. in Albany, GA. In 1987, the program was expanded to accommodate all substance addictions. The program relies on contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, civic groups, and foundations.
The impact of the ministry has grown beyond our roots in Southwest Georgia and we have alumni all across the United States. To date, The Anchorage has served over 14,000 men.
The Anchorage, Inc. is a vital ministry which needs your prayers and financial contributions to continue to provide a place of refuge and recovery for those caught in the bondage of addiction. To God be the Glory!
The Anchorage Staff
Executive Director - Bob Lynch
Bob Lynch assumed the duties of the Executive Director of The Anchorage in June of 2013. His duties include; leadership of the organization and administration, oversight and development of the Spiritual program, and developing strong relationships with the community and The Anchorage supporters.
Bob has earned a Bachelor’s in Education from Winthrop University. He also holds a Masters Degree in Counseling from Boston University and a Masters of Divinity from Rice University. He and his family served as missionaries in Europe for 15 years. Prior to coming to The Anchorage he served as the Executive Director of a large boy’s and girl’s ranch in Columbus, Georgia for 13 years.
Bob is from Atlanta, Georgia. He has been married to Connie, a Special Education Teacher in Lee County, for 40 years. They have four sons; Matt, Chris, Ryan, and Conner and three grandchildren; Garrett, Kesley, and Matthew.
blynch@anchorageofalbany.org
Program Director - Keith Gaines
Keith Gaines came to The Anchorage as Program Director in December of 2020. He is responsible for the implementation and supervision of the program elements that equip clients to livetheir lives free of alcohol and drugs as responsible, productive members of society through a personal understanding of and relationship with God.
Keith has a Bachelor’s degree from Mercer University, the Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Master of Science in Counseling & Psychology degree from Troy University. Professionally, he brings over 10 years of experience in psychiatric and substance abuse treatment programs, 11 years in higher education, and 29 years in ministry (17 full-time and 12 bi-vocational).
Originally from Macon, GA he has lived in the Albany area since 1991. He has two sons and daughters-in-law, Shawn and Beth, and Jeremy and Kelly. Keith and his wife, Dianne enjoy being “DaddyDaddy” and “Nana” to their six grandchildren, Madison, Garrett, Gracie, Zachary, Savannah, and Tucker.
kgaines@anchorageofalbany.org
Operations Manager - Ken Rice
In spring of 2012, Ken Rice along with his wife Letitia, son Hayden and many friends lead Sunday Night Worship for their first time at the Anchorage. The experience was so impactful that they continued to volunteer leading worship on Sundays, cooking for the clients, helping with fundraisers and one on one discipleship.
In 2019, Ken accepted the position of Operations Manager. His duties include conducting phone screenings of potential clients, admitting new clients into the program, management of the kitchen and grounds as well as overseeing daily activities of the Anchorage. Ken has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from Valdosta State and enjoys making music with his family, landscaping, cooking, and teaching in his spare time.
Social Worker - Pat Thomas
She is a member of the Third Kiokee Baptist Church and serves as a Trustee. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
She enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, dancing, traveling, spending time with family and friends. She is the proud mother of one adult child, la ’Tundra Brown of Fairfield, Ohio. She has strong faith, and firmly believes that “all things are possible if you believe in God. Her motto is “don’t allow adversity to define you, push through it” and trust God during the process.
Our Board of Directors
| Executive Committee | |
| Deborah Gay, Chair Dr. J. Denton Hardie, Past Chair Clay Chester, Past Chair TJ White Doug Collins, Secretary |
Jeff Neal Jake Barrow Ryan Layfield, Treasurer |
| Board of Directors | |
| Thomas Chandler Gail Drake Jim Griffith Matt Joiner Felix Marbury Grant Orndorff Darin Hall |
Sonny McGee Dr Ben Toole TJ White Hank Wright Faith Woodham Chad Mullins Daniel Fleurne |
| Emeritus Members | |
| Bill Kicklighter Sky Martin Jeff Neal |
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| Honorary Board Member | |
| Mary Brown Heritage |
|