Patty Eastep and Connor Doyle serve together at Anchor Lancaster. Here, they hold a painting by a guest to represent what God and Anchor has done in his life. / Photo by Hannah (Wheeler ’21) Hoffman

An Anchor of Care

Two Alumni Carry Out Mission at Anchor Lancaster

In Matthew 25:35, Jesus commands His followers to care for “strangers” in need. Two LBC | Capital alumni are using their education and abilities to carry out this mission at Anchor Lancaster.

Anchor is a nonprofit organization in downtown Lancaster that exists to come alongside those experiencing homelessness through five main services:

• Breakfast: A hot breakfast is served every weekday of the year.
• Showers: Shower services are available five days a week for guests, along with hygiene kits and basic clothing items.
• Casework: Guests can meet with a caseworker to explore shelter, finances and additional needs.
• Day Center: Anchor’s Day Center is open five days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., giving guests a safe place to rest and interact with others.
• Laundry Services: Laundry is provided for guests by appointment throughout the week.

In 2017, Anchor became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and Patty Eastep (’14) was hired as Anchor’s executive director and very first employee. Eastep graduated from Lancaster Bible College with a Bachelor of Social Work, which prepared her for many aspects of the work at Anchor. “I feel much more prepared now than I had before,” says Eastep. “[LBC] helped cement my faith.”

This foundational faith is evident in Eastep’s leadership and care. She has made it a habit to arrive early each day to pray for peace over the ministry, staff and guests.

As executive director, Eastep leads Anchor’s teams, speaks at community events and heads up the organization’s fundraising efforts. She has found her LBC speech and writing classes especially helpful in the public presentations and grant proposals she now makes on behalf of Anchor.

Connor Doyle (‘22) graduated from LBC with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and joined Anchor’s team in 2023 as its first caseworker. Doyle’s work at Anchor can be difficult as he meets with individuals others may disregard. Each encounter reminds him of the necessity of representing Christ, an understanding that grew during his time at LBC.

“[At LBC], there was an emphasis of, ‘In everything you do, you’re doing it with Christ,’” says Doyle. In light of this invaluable lesson, he seeks to help one client at a time.

For Doyle, LBC not only provided spiritual preparation but also contributed to his professional capabilities. Many of the clients who meet with him have pressing deadlines. “You’re fighting against the clock,” says Doyle, “and you’re having to send out correspondences” to secure options for each client. Doyle attributes his ability to meet these deadlines to the time management skills he learned at LBC.

In many ways, LBC played a part in preparing both Eastep and Doyle for their work at Anchor, but ultimately, it is in God’s strength they are able to carry out Jesus’ command to care for the needs of “strangers.”

Visit anchorlancaster.org to learn more about Anchor’s ministry or contact assistant@anchorlancaster.org to see how you can help.