Calvary Chapel in the Ozarks

our history

PASTOR CHUCK SMITH (1927-2013)
CALVARY CHAPEL: AN INTRODUCTION

In the 1960's, Pastor Chuck began welcoming hippies into the Southern Californian church in which he was the pastor. The church's name: Calvary Chapel. When some complained that the "dirty young people" would ruin the new carpet, Pastor Chuck responded, "Then we'll remove the carpet." The revival that began became known as the "Jesus Movement."

From it's humble beginnings, the ministry of Calvary Chapel has expanded around the world. From Austria to Australia, Budapest to Boston, South Africa to South Carolina, Ireland to Idaho, Jerusalem to Japan, Ukraine to Uganda, the 1,600+ Calvary Chapel affiliates world-wide are following Pastor Chuck's example of expositional Bible teaching: "Simply teaching the Bible simply."

Click HERE to watch an interview between Pastor Greg Laurie and Pastor Chuck.
Click HERE for access to an e-vault of Pastor Chuck's teachings.
PASTOR PAUL LESTER
calvary chapel comes to northwest Arkansas

Paul & Cindy Lester moved from Modesto, California with their three children in 1994 with the hope of planting a Calvary Chapel style of ministry in Arkansas. In November of that year, Calvary Chapel in the Ozarks held its first Sunday morning service. Through the years, CCO grew and grew (and outgrew a few locations).

After years of successful ministry, Pastor Paul felt the call of the Lord to return to California—this time, to help raise another generation of pastor-teachers. In May 2013, Paul and Cindy moved to Murrieta, CA to serve at Calvary Chapel Bible College where they served for several years.

Today, Pastor Paul ministers as one of the assisting pastors back at his home church of Calvary Chapel Modesto.

You'll find many of Pastor Paul's studies on OUR SITE.
pastor jeremy foster
a new season for calvary chapel in the ozarks

Another California native, Pastor Jeremy received Jesus as his Savior at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, CA in 1993. He found an insatiable appetite for Bible study growing inside of him. After serving in various capacities at Calvary Chapels in California and New Jersey, Jeremy and his wife Christi sensed God asking them to move to Europe to serve at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe in Vajta, Hungary.

After nearly a decade of ministry in Europe, Pastor Jeremy again sensed God's leading. The next step of faith would land the Foster family in Northwest Arkansas. As it would turn out, the leading and timing for both Pastor Paul and Pastor Jeremy to their new posts was divinely orchestrated. Jeremy became the next pastor of CCO in January 2014.

Along with serving here at CCO, Pastor Jeremy is also the drum instructor for the Rogers High School Marching Band program. Go Mounties!