Chuck Smith (pastor)
| Chuck Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Charles Ward Smith June 25, 1927 Ventura, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 3, 2013 (aged 86) Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Life Pacific College |
| Alma mater | Life Pacific College, 1946 |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Years active | 1965–2013 |
| Known for | Pastor and founder of Calvary Chapel |
| Notable work | Love, The More Excellent Way |
| Spouse(s) | Kay Johnson (m. 1947–2013; his death) |
| Children | Janette Smith Manderson, Chuck Smith Jr, Jeff Smith, Cheryl Brodersen |
Charles Ward "Chuck" Smith (June 25, 1927 – October 3, 2013) was an American pastor who founded the Calvary Chapel. Beginning with the 25-person Costa Mesa congregation in 1965, Smith's influence now extends to "more than 1,000 churches nationwide and hundreds more overseas", some of which are among the largest churches in the United States. He has been called "one of the most influential figures in modern American Christianity."
Charles Ward Smith was born on June 25, 1927, in Ventura, California, to Charles and Maude Smith. He was the second of three children.
Smith graduated from LIFE Bible College and was ordained as a pastor for the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. In the late 1950s, Smith was the campaign manager and worship director for healing evangelist Paul Cain. After being a pastor for a different denomination, he left his denomination to pastor a non-denominational church plant in Corona, California, and eventually moved to a small pre-existing church called Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California in December 1965.
In March 1968, Smith brought into his home the then-18-year-old pentecostal evangelist Lonnie Frisbee with his wife Connie. Chuck Smith paired him up with John Higgins who already had a Bible study going for youth; they started a Christian commune called "The House of Miracles." John and Lonnie went out into the community to reach its youth with the gospel during the early days of the Jesus movement.
The church in Santa Ana grew and, as of 2006, was attended by 35,000 people and had spawned over 1,000 churches that have branched out as part of the Calvary Chapel Association. Smith has been called "one of the most influential Christian pastors in Southern California" who "is known for training other prominent ministers." Notable ministers who have been mentored by Smith include Skip Heitzig, Mike MacIntosh, and Greg Laurie. Smith also launched the radio program, The Word for Today.
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