The Rev. Karl Anderson and Lady Brecka Anderson celebrate birthdays at NE Gainesville church
The Rev. Karl Anderson and his wife, Lady Brecka Anderson, celebrated their 50th birthdays on Sunday at Upper Room Ministries at 3575 NE 15th St.
Church leaders celebrate their birthdays with parishioners
The couple has faced some trials and tribulations this year, and they give God the glory for giving them the strength to persevere. Brecka Anderson’s, whose birthday was on Oct. 4, father died in January, and Karl Anderson, whose birthday was on Dec. 5, recovered from a severe health scare.
Couple thanks God for his grace and mercy
Through the right treatment and prayer, he said he is grateful to be standing before the congregation at Upper Room Ministries in northeast Gainesville, which he pastors with his aunt, Shepherdess Pearlie Shelton.
“He gave me life because of my purpose and I’m going to live it intentionally,” he said. “I thank God for the praise and for you all for being here and celebrating with us. I thank God for his divine order in my life. All the way from Mississippi, he blessed me with my wife. God will continue to bless us to run this race.”
His wife thanked parishioners for their support and birthday wishes.
“Thank you to God for my husband and my children,” she said. “Thank you all so much. It has been such a blessing for us to turn 50 years old. You all could’ve been anywhere, but you are here. We pray God will continue to bless us with many more.”
Couple believes in serving the community
The service included a slideshow presentation of the Anderson family and friends, and the acts of service they provide to the community.
Brecka Anderson is the treasurer of Wishful Thinking, an organization founded by Tarcha Rentz to support breast cancer survivors.
Karl Anderson is known for founding and hosting the annual Stop the Violence Back to School Rally through his anti-violence organization called People Against Violence Enterprises Inc. (P.A.V.E.). He also serves as superintendent of the Greater Gainesville District of the Church of God In Christ.
Shelton presided over the service.
Love was common theme throughout the service
She remembered the night the family received news her nephew was born, which happened to be a night her father was preaching a sermon in Alachua.
She talked about the love she has for her nephew and niece-in-law.
“We fell in love and we became one big family,” Shelton said. “A power couple — that is what I call them. They are church people. We knew the way they wanted to celebrate was at the church.”
Couple receives tributes from family and friends
There were tributes from Wilson Robinson Jr., Jeffrey McIntyre, LaShon Young, Sebrenah Phillips, Rodney Long, Ishmael Rentz, Marilyn Green and Karl Anderson’s mother and stepfather, Marsha and Dewie W. Brewton.
Long, founder of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida and The Long Foundation, said he, Anderson and Prayers by Faith’s Pastor Gerard Duncan have worked together to combat food insecurity in the area for years.
Through their partnership and work ethic, Long has named the trio “The Three Amigos.”
Mentoring Anderson has earned him the title “Big Bro,” and he is proud to see Anderson’s service in the community, Long said.
“He has grown up to be a man of God,” Long said. “He’s not only a man of God, but he is a servant of God. He loves the community. When you’re committed, you make the time — that’s being community-minded.”
Shelton agreed with Long’s testimony and talked about the power of love.
“Love is an action word,” Shelton said. “You can talk about it all day but you must show it.”
A deep love of God is like "a tree with strong roots"
Kenyarda Feathers, pastor of Williams Temple COGIC, preached about having a deep love for God being like a tree with strong roots.
Women's convention: 'If God is with you, the devil can't defeat you.'
“When the wind blows, you don’t break because your roots run deep,” Feathers said. “Your faith has to be deep. When your roots run deep, it doesn't matter what the devil throws your way.”
Karl Anderson has been planted in good ground since he was born, and God preserves, provides, guides, reproves and rebukes, Feathers said.
“No one is exempt from the storms of life, but don’t lose your signal or connection,” Feathers said. “If God be for you, who can be against you? Storms of your life prove the strength of your anchor. Always stay connected through prayer.”
Preacher prays for couple
Feathers prayed over the Anderson couple at the end of his sermon.
“Keep on preaching and serving,” Feathers said. “It will all pay off. Better days are coming. Your best days are ahead of you.”
Couple met at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ
The couple met during a service at Williams Temple at 628 NW Seventh Ave. They were married on Jan. 15, 2000, and later that year in September Upper Room Ministries was established.
They are parents to three daughters: Kari, Bridget and Bethany.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Pastor and his wife celebrated at Upper Room Ministries in NE G'ville
