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History of Calvary Chapel

...the Calvary Chapel movement

Chuck Smith, Founder

of Calvary Chapel  

In the late 1960's, the first Calvary Chapel was started in Costa Mesa, California, as a small, non-denominational church with a handful of members, led by Chuck Smith. The Lord has blessed that small group, and now Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is one of the largest churches in the world with some 30,000 believers.

From the beginning, Calvary Chapel has been focused on leading people to Christ and teaching them so that they can go into the world to lead others. The Lord has blessed this commitment, and Calvary Chapel has grown to over 900 churches in North America and almost 200 churches in South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Because of its size and influence, many Christians have asked exactly what Calvary Chapel believes and why they believe it is distinct. At Calvary Chapel, we have always been hesitant to answer those questions, not because we are unsettled in our beliefs, but because we are cautious to avoid division within the body of Christ. After all, what really matters is what we have in common as Christians, the essential doctrines of: the infallibility of God's Word; the virgin birth of Christ; Jesus' life; His death for our sins, and bodily resurrection; Christ's ascension into glory; and His personal return to rule over the earth. This is the essence of Christianity and agreed upon by all born-again believers.

When Christians move away from these foundational doctrines to those that are less essential, there is always discord and setting barriers up in the church, something we at Calvary Chapel have no desire to do. Instead, we long for unity among all, and we allow a great deal of flexibility even within our own church.

related link: History of Calvary Chapel