Calvary Chapel Churches

Calvary Chapel is a network of evangelical churches that grew from the ministry of Chuck Smith, who began pastoring Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in California in 1965 during the Jesus People Movement. The informal network has grown to encompass thousands of churches worldwide united by a commitment to verse-by-verse Bible teaching, a casual worship style, and a non-charismatic but Spirit-filled theology that emphasizes the gifts of the Spirit without requiring tongues as evidence of Spirit baptism. Calvary Chapel churches are generally independent but connected through the Calvary Chapel Association, which provides fellowship, training, and credentialing for affiliated pastors.