Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Hurst
Hi Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
November 2023 I was on my average daily prayer walk praying for my usual things when the Holy Spirit spoke clearly asking me to host a praise concert to unite the church and call His children to Him. I thought I was going crazy and looked around to see if maybe it was meant for someone else. I went home and told my husband and he agreed that I must be crazy. I am not in music of any kind nor is my circle of friends and family musicians. This seemed so out of left field
My husband said to forget about it and if it was truly God, He would come again. Sure enough, a week later, I was in my car singing praise music and the Holy Spirit filled my car. This time bringing me to tears as I was overwhelmed by the presence.
He said “I want you to host a praise concert called Reclaim. Its to unite my church and call my children to me” and then he gave me 5 components of it “unified praise team. All different churches and denominations., water, a set song list He would give me, prayer warriors set up to pray with people and running partners( people to check in and be an accountability partner).
After I told my husband, he agreed that it sounded like God. So we started praying for a date and location. I kept hearing July 18th and then I heard Blossom Music Center. I checked Blossom site only to find out July 18 was one of the few dates available.
I called the Blossom help line which connected me to a phone service in India. He gave me an email. I emailed that person telling them the whole story of this calling and they passed me to another person. This happened a few times until I finally got to the woman who books Blossom. Only God
I told her the story and that I needed the contract. So she sent it over and we booked Blossom music center, one of the largest outdoor venues in all of Ohio. Only God
Then we started to gather musicians and God provided from all different churches and denominations. We ended up with 3 teams made up of 45 people from across Ohio with 3 totally different sounds. Only God
God spoke that He would give me a playlist and He did. I would have random lyrics in my head that when I looked up, it was a song, or one playing in the grocery store that caught my ear and I knew it was a Reclaim song. We ended up with 30+songs of various artists and styles. All dividing up perfectly between each bands ability. Only God.
God said he wanted it to be a free event. No sponsors, no charity pitches, no preaching, just music. Blossom mandates a number so we told them to just mark full capacity. For the first and only time, they allowed it. They were charging for parking but we petitioned it to be free and they agreed. Only God.
God provided 150 prayer warriors and running partners from all over ohio. Teams from Akron, Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati. When I God called me to host Reclaim, I knew no one outside of the Cleveland area. I now have friends all over Ohio. Only God.
God spoke water but wasn’t clear what it was for until a month before the concert when City Missions called and asked to bring their tank. They brought their tank and set it up, filled it and broke it down. We had 5 men ready with the gospel message and to baptize all who felt lead. Only God.
The day came and it was 78 degree, sunny with a breeze in Ohio in the month of July. Only God.
God claimed that stage and those grounds as His that night. The music ended but the audience continued chanting the name of Jesus. It was a powerful night.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it all went extremely smooth in the sense that God provided everything at just the right time. The hard part was not taking control and wait for God to direct. So many times it became a close call but I refused to make a choice without the Holy Spirit leading. For instance, we didnt have an AVL team until 4 months out. Without AVL, we have no sound. They book out a year in advance normally. Many musicians were very worried about it but I kept praying. Sure enough, God brought us an incredible AVL team that WAS booked up but found a way to help us while still doing their other event.
Another example, out of the many, was wait for what “water” was for. God said water but He didn’t say for what. I did not want to guess it was baptisms and running with it. I waited until he made Himself clear which was only a month before the event
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Honestly, Im just a stay at home mom. While its a full time gig, its not a “career’. I have 11 children under 16 years old with my husband Andrew of 17 years. Im definitely known for that. I live fully surrendered to God in all areas of my life. I call it open handed living and recently( right before the concert ironically) God called me to write a book on it. Its currently in editing. It simply an explanation of what open handed living is and then a guide on how to live fully surrendered to the Lord, with tips and tricks I have used to keep me focused on Gods mission. I share many testimonies I have collected over my 16 years of living this way to prove that God is alive and active today as well as that He can be trusted. We can put everything into His hands.
What I often hear sets me apart is my joy and peace. I am an extremely happy person and I think people expect a mom of 11 to be tired and ran down. But this is the life God built me for. When you live in His will, you get the gift of His peace and an unshakable joy.
How do you think about happiness?
Spending time with God is my happy place. Whether it’s in the word, on a prayer walk or singing praise in my car. He’s my best friend. He’s funny. His wisdom is endless. He’s comfort is perfect.
I once read a book that talked about a having conversations with God. Not just prayer where you are doing all the talking but a back and forth conversation. I thought the author was crazy. But then thought, if thats possible, I want it. I started praying for it And asked God to set my heart on fire for His word. And he did.
I love reading scripture, both OT and NT and I live talking about new things I learn even though Ive read it 100s of times already. And then i started prayer walks where we now have conversations that are not just one way. You may think Im crazy, but I dare you to try. Seek Him in the Word and pray, getting still to listen. You will end up finding your very best friend.
My second would be being with my husband and kids all together as a family. We love being together and its always a ton of fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Reclaimconcert.com
- Instagram: ReclaimconcertCLE
- Facebook: Reclaim Concert
- Other: Openhandedliving.com coming soon. Check out FB Open Handed living for book release updates
