Pastor Rick Kirchinger was saved at the age of 17 as a senior in Christian School on August 26, 1976. At the age of 19, the Lord graciously called him to preach while attending Prayer Baptist Church of Westland, Michigan. In 1979, Pastor Kirchinger accepted a position as a history teacher at Tabernacle Christian School in Monroe, NC where he later met Judy Davis. Pastor and Ms. Judy were married on October 5, 1985. That same year, Pastor Kirchinger accepted his first pastorate at New Hope Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC. Pastor Kirchinger pastored for 13 years at New Hope Baptist Church and 3 years at Secrest Grove Baptist Church before moving to Columbia, SC in 2003 where he pastored Alpine Baptist Church.
In August of 2012, the Lord led Pastor Kirchinger and a small group of believers to start Anchor Baptist Church. We started meeting in a small community room until the Lord blessed us with the property where we are now. This year (2022) we are celebrating our 10th anniversary! We praise the Lord for what He is doing to build a work here in Columbia!