Calvary Chapel
Pastor Chuck Smith began pastoring a small congregation of 25 adults in Costa Mesa, California called "Calvary Chapel" in 1965. After reaching out to the “Hippies”, Pastor Chuck witnessed a work of the Holy Spirit commonly referred to as “The Jesus Movement”. The church soon grew numerically into the thousands, but more importantly, the spiritual growth of the people was significant. Pastor Chuck attributed this spiritual growth to the consistent teaching of the Word of God – verse by verse, chapter by chapter, from Genesis to Revelation. He also acknowledged God's blessing making Acts 2:42 the ministry focus of the church – just as biblical churches have done for almost 2000 years. These “Hippies” went out and planted churches and everything grew from there.
Pastor Chuck went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus on October 3, 2013. But, the work the Lord birthed in that first Calvary Chapel continues through many churches today.
Today, there are over 1800 domestic Calvary Chapels (using various names), and thousands more worldwide. Each church is fully autonomous and free to be led by the Spirit directly. Affiliation by the Calvary Chapel Association is granted to Lead Pastors, not churches.
Pastor Chuck went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus on October 3, 2013. But, the work the Lord birthed in that first Calvary Chapel continues through many churches today.
Today, there are over 1800 domestic Calvary Chapels (using various names), and thousands more worldwide. Each church is fully autonomous and free to be led by the Spirit directly. Affiliation by the Calvary Chapel Association is granted to Lead Pastors, not churches.
Calvary Chapel Distinctives: Pastor Chuck Smith Introduction/Call to Ministry.