While Calvary Chapel is not a denominational church, we are certainly not “out on our own”. There are over 1000 Calvary Chapels in North America and many others around the world. Pastor Chuck Smith started the first Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California in 1965. Pastor Chuck had been a pastor in a denominational church for 17 years. Though he had applied himself diligently, he felt discouraged and had even considered leaving the ministry.

Pastor Chuck was led to a small congregation of about 25 people. There he began to teach God’s word in a systematic way and God began to bless them dramatically. Also, a unique factor in Pastor Chuck’s ministry was his ministry to those who had been rejected by many “mainline churches”. The “hippies” as they were called began to attend the Bible studies at this small church.

The work of the Holy Spirit through the teaching of the Word began to bear fruit in the salvation of many of these young men and women. The result was what was termed the “Jesus movement” of the sixties and seventies. Many of those young men moved out over the years to begin works throughout the United States and eventually the world. The relationship that Calvary Chapel of Red Oak has with these other churches is one of fellowship and like-mindedness.

Pastor Tim attends Calvary Pastor’s Conferences and communicate with other Calvary Pastors for wisdom and encouragement. There is no central governing authority. Each Calvary has its own unique style and calling.

However, there are several “distinctives” that characterize the Calvary Chapels. Among those is the teaching of the Word, book-by-book, phrase-by-phrase, an emphasis on worship, and servant leadership. (Further information can be obtained through the book, “Calvary Chapel Distinctives”.