Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Movement Founder, Remembered by Evangelical Leaders

By Luke Leung 3 Oct, 2013 16:41 EDT

Orange County pastor Chuck Smith, the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, died Thursday after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 86.

Smith died in his sleep at 3 a.m. Thursday morning, Pastor Stevel Mathum at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa told KNX 1070.

Smith served as senior pastor at Calvary Chapel for more than 40 years. He is considered one of the most influential pastors in much of evangelical Christianity.

He is also known for his outreach to 'hippies' and other young people others wouldn't reach. His outreach helped fuel the "Jesus movement" of the 1970s.

Since 1965, the movement that began with Smith's 25 person congregation planted over 1,600 churches worldwide as part of Calvary Chapel fellowship.

Evangelical leaders from across the country poured in their condolences through social media:

Beloved Orange County pastor #ChuckSmith has died. 2 Cor.5:8 pic.twitter.com/k7eIdHSrPn

— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) October 3, 2013

Chuck Smith will be remembered by many, but he has influenced many more. http://t.co/5ffu3ksFCi — Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) October 3, 2013

Chuck Smith lit Gospel fires all over world. Countless were inspired to action by his passion 4 evangelism @GregLaurie @BobCoy @Skipheitzig

— Lee Strobel (@LeeStrobel) October 3, 2013

Pastor Chuck Smith has died. He is now in Heaven. He fought the good fight. He was a great man. http://t.co/DauBRtFWqi — Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) October 3, 2013

Pastor Chuck Smith's passing will leave a mark of sadness. I will miss this remarkable man: http://t.co/O84MYHelNz pic.twitter.com/gC3sK2vMzK

— Pastor Bob Coy (@pbobcoy) October 3, 2013

I'm exceedingly grateful today for the exemplary life and profound ministry of my friend, Chuck Smith. — Chuck Swindoll (@chuckswindoll) October 3, 2013

I hear Pastor Chuck Smith preached on the last Sunday if his life with an oxygen bottle. Wow. Courage to the end! #welldone

— Brian Houston (@BrianCHouston) October 3, 2013

Our prayers are with @calvarychapel and loved ones of Pastor Chuck Smith who passed away today after battling lung cancer. — BGEA (@BGEA) October 3, 2013

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Movement Founder, Remembered by Evangelical Leaders

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.