The History of

              Calvary Chapel

The Calvary Chapel movement began in the mid 1960's in Costa Mesa, CA. Under the leadership of pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel began ministering to the local hippies. As the Jesus Movement got into full swing the church in Costa Mesa grew. Pastor Chuck saw himself as a pastor to many pastors and began raising up young men to pastor churches in neighboring California communities. It then spread throughout the entire country and eventually all around the world, and what started in that "little country church" has become one of the largest church movements in history. Calvary Chapel outreach fellowships now have over 1,000 affiliates all over the world.





The Jesus Movement

In the late 1960's God poured out His Spirit on Southern California and used Pastor Chuck Smith and Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa to minister to the hippies. Long-haired and barefoot they came by the hundreds to a tent at the corner of Fairview and MacArthur Blvd. to listen to middle-aged Pastor Chuck expound on the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Out of that grew a whole new church culture, contemporary Christian music was birthed, Christian musicians emerged on the scene, Bands like Love Song and Mustard Seed Faith brought a whole new vibe to the church. As God poured out His Spirit on Calvary Chapel a move of God began that is still alive today. Although Pastor Chuck has gone home to be with the Lord, his life passion of raising up pastors who love the sheep and desire to feed them systematically through the Word of God is still going strong all over the world.


We at Calvary Chapel Woodland are very privileged to be carrying on with Pastor Chuck's passion and vision for Calvary Chapel. Our prayer is you would hunger for God's Word, be filled with His Spirit, and worship Him in Spirit and Truth.