"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A.W. Tozer
About Calvary Chapel
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Southern California. Only twenty-five people attended. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a church that seats over 2000 and is filled almost nightly. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach drew 25,000 people weekly.
With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ.
Each Calvary Chapel is autonomous; that is, there is no denominational hierarchy. Each fellowship is free to pursue that call which the Father has placed on it as the Spirit leads, so long as that fellowship remains within the parameters of what a Calvary Chapel is.
We are a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died for our sins, and gave us the gift of eternal life. We are not perfect people, but we are perfectly loved by a perfect God. His perfect love birthed in us a strong desire to conform our minds, hearts, and lives to Jesus. We owe all to Him.
We desire to be ready to give an answer to anyone who might want to know the reason for the hope we have in Christ; to proclaim Him with our actions as well as our words; and to be known as followers of Jesus. Therefore, we place great emphasis on teaching the Word of God so as to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, and to be equipped for the work He has for each of us.
For this, we do not rely on ourselves, but on the faithful ministry and power of the Holy Spirit. We lean heavily on God’s amazing grace, endeavor to walk according to the guidance of the Spirit, feed regularly upon God’s infallible Word, and press on to the high calling that is ours in Christ Jesus. It is in this way we hope to be lifting up the Name of Jesus Christ so others will be drawn to Him and be saved.
Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We like to think of ourselves as Bible Christians. We draw our beliefs from the Word of God and if the Bible says it, we try to practice it.
We are not a denominational church and we are not opposed to denominations; we simply desire to work harmoniously with all those who in truth call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, despite our differences.
That the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, inerrant in its original autograph texts and that it is relevant and applicable to man today. Therefore, we place great emphasis on the teaching of the Word, so that God may instruct us as to how He desires to be worshipped.
(1 Timothy 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
That God is worthy of all praise, reverence and love; therefore, we give great place to worship in song when we are together. It is our goal to worship Him with our whole lives as well, whether at home, at work, or in church.
(Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
That every believer is called to be an active part of the body of Christ by abiding in Christ through His Word, prayer and fellowship, and by the yielding of our lives to the Holy Spirit for His equipping and empowering.
(Ephesians 4:15-16)
That love is the greatest demonstration of the reality of Jesus Christ. It is our desire that all believers endeavor to show a Christ-like love towards all men. Love should be exhibited in our lives, by our words, as well as by our actions.
(John 13:34-35, Philippians 2:3-5)
That Christian service is the responsibility of all believers. Our goal is to develop the ministry of each member of the body of Christ to the benefit of all.
(Ephesians 4:11-15, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)