WHO WE ARE
OUR PURPOSE
A primary distinctive of Calvary Chapel is our endeavor to declare to people the whole counsel of God. We see this principle illustrated when Paul met with the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. As they were on the shore of the Aegean at Miletus, around the coastal area of Ephesus, Paul said that he was innocent of the blood of all men;
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:27.
Now, how is it possible for a person to claim to have declared, ‘the whole counsel of God?” The only way a person could make that claim to his congregation would be if he taught through the whole Word of God with them, from Genesis to Revelation.
Our vision is to teach our congregation verse by verse through the entire Word of God so that we can say “I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
By teaching all scripture to the Ephesians, even in his absence, Paul was able to say:
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 22:32
We desire to glorify God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to be transformed by His great love for us. While we receive this incredible inheritance of eternal life through faith in Christ, we also desire to share His love with our community and the world around us.
Our History
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Costa Mesa CA. with just twenty-five people.
At a pivotal time in history, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, into the local church. With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck and Kay Smith made room in the church and their home for a generation of hippies and surfers, serving in the midst of a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast and throughout the world.
In his ministry, he emphasized the teaching of the Word of God. In the wake of that move of the Holy Spirit, what began as a small local church grew into an international family of over 1700 churches around the world. Pastor Chuck’s simple, yet sound, expositional approach to teaching the Bible has helped millions better understand God’s Word. Learn more about the history of Calvary Chapel.
In his ministry, he emphasized the teaching of the Word of God. In the wake of that move of the Holy Spirit, what began as a small local church grew into an international family of over 1700 churches around the world. Pastor Chuck’s simple, yet sound, expositional approach to teaching the Bible has helped millions better understand God’s Word. Learn more about the history of Calvary Chapel.