What an amazing journey of love. Sixty years of marriage and they are still going strong.
Saturday, November 20, 2021, was truly a remarkable day. On this beautiful fall day at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Dr. C. L. Anderson and his wife of 60 years, Helen Virginia Anderson, renewed their vow. The Andersons were married on November 19, 1961.
This glorious occasion was a full scale one, complete with a best man, maid and matron of honor, and eight bridesmaids and groomsmen. The ceremony was held at Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church in Allenhurst where Pastor Anderson has served as founder and pastor for 26 years.
This grand celebration was officiated by Rev. John E. Morse and Rev. Debbie Morse, Pastor and First Lady of Pleasant Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hinesville.
Pleasant Grove is the church where the Andersons met at the Annual Camp Meeting celebration so many years ago. Therefore, prior to the wedding ceremony , at 12 noon on November 20, the Anderson returned to Pleasant Grove where Pastor Morse and Rev. Debbie each said a prayer over them. During the ceremony, Pastor Morse kept the ceremony flowing with a humorous touch. Bishop Michael-Angelo James (Mayor of Waycross) and his Glory Band provided the music). Pastor Anderson even surprised his bride by singing a little medley of songs.
Following the ceremony, the reception was held in the Fellowship Hall at Good Shepherd. The Andersons have gained a reputation in Liberty County and surrounding counties for being a couple who is always together and who coordinate their dress attire. Normally, when you see one, you see the other.
They enjoy serving as spiritual parents to many people and are always lending a helping hand.
“In order to have a good marriage, you must make time for one another and must have good communication with your husband,” said Helen Anderson. “Everything won’t be rosy all the time, but the Lord has worked things out for us. I thank God that He kept us together.” Being married to a man who has spent 50 years (this past June in the ministry), and who will have served as a pastor for 50 years next year, Elect Lady Anderson has plenty advice and wisdom nuggets for pastors and ministers’ wives.
“Pray for your husband.
Keep the prayer line open.
You must support your husband. Go with him; you must be there for him.
Always have a listening ear for him. I know when he is going through things.
You must also show love and compassionate to the church members,” she said. “My husband has always loved the Lord. We started out small, but God has blessed us. My husband used to bag groceries at the Commissary at Fort Stewart. I call him my buddy, my sweetheart, and my friend.”
Pastor Anderson said the secret to a good and long marriage is compromise. ‘Marriage is a give and take thing. One can’t do all the giving, while the other does all the taking; and one can’t do all the taking, while the other does all the giving. Marriage also has to be based on faith in God and prayer. You can’t take things for granted, and you have to keep the lines of communication open,” he said.
A giant in the ministry with extensive experience as a pastor, Dr. Anderson currently serves as founder and pastor of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church in Allenhurst, Greater Zachariah in Glennville, and St Luke Baptist in Daisy. He served as Moderator of the Tattnall Missionary Baptist Association in Hagan for thirty plus years, and currently serves as the moderator emeritus of the Tattnall.
Dr. Anderson’s advises pastors who are married to be husbands first. “You must set the example in your family and your church. You are married to your wife physically and to your church spiritually.
You must treat both your wife and church members with respect,” he said.
“The way you treat your spouse is the way you will treat your church. If you love your wife, you will love your church. If you are faithful to your wife, you will be faithful to your church. As a couple, you need to live, laugh, and love.”