What is the impact of 23 years of service to a community? Brooke and Renee Anderson moved to Big Sandy in 1994. Their first job was working for Sheehy's before he started to work at the Mountain View Co-op. Brooke worked for Calvin Danreuther for seven years. During those years he also started his business, in 1999, which developed into J & B Contracting Company. They moved into the Ray Reichelt home in 2002.
They raised all four of their children Rachel, Justin, Kate and Hannah in Big Sandy and while they were involved with all the activities of a homeschool family they were active in the lives of the children from Big Sandy. Adults, who now have children of their own in Big Sandy, say that Brooke and Renee were their second parents. They were involved with kids every week, whether it was teaching Sunday School, or midweek children's service. During midweek, they worked with grade school kids in Whirly birds and Good News, before working with high school youth. Making supper over and over for years to feed all the kids. Extra circular involvement with the youth included taking children and youth to summer camps at Trails End and C-N. Often offering scholarships for children who couldn't afford it. They would take kids to a wide variety of concerts, youth convention in Canada and for many years VBS. Brooke and Renee took young girls to a Fall Ball in Billings. They had a puppet show, with large hand puppets. There was a variety of characters which the children loved to watch. Truth is many adults enjoyed the puppets more than children did.
They didn't just work with children and youth, they held a weekly bible study in their home for adults. Brooke lead worship for years and served on the church board. With all this activity, their most impressive contribution to our community was they opened their home to anyone who needed a place at any time. They would hire numerous kids and included them in their family.
The same theme was expressed over and over when I asked the impact that Brooke and Renee had on our community.
"Because of Brooke and Renee, we are a changed family."
"What an amazing impact they have had on our community whether it be their church to every person in need of love. They are Love"
"I would like to say the Anderson's have been very influential in our marriage. They are probably the strongest couple besides my parents to look up to. I'm just amazed how they love people
and bring them into their home. They are always willing to help whoever is in need. "
"He is an amazing friend."
"The impact they had on my grandchildren was life changing."
"They saved my child."
"It has been absolute phenomenal to have people, in the church, that live out their faith"
''I walked into this church a boy who didn't believe in himself, didn't have any direction for his life. And through the years God as saved me, changed me, and made me into a man who just wants to serve Him and work hard. A pivotal cornerstone to all of that is you guys, Brooke and Rene. I wouldn't be the man I am today if you guys had not come into my life.'
The motto of their lives, which Brooke quoted over and over, "But in your hearts set Christ apart as Lord. Always be ready to give defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance that is within you, yet with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15
If you like to send them a note their new address is: 27 Whitebird Creek Road, Columbus Montana 59019
