CALVARY CHAPEL SAN CLEMENTE IS A VENTURE OF FAITH

Calvary Chapel San Clemente began as a small Bible study of six people in the fall of 2008 while Pastor Holland was on staff at the now defunct Ocean Hills Church. Over the period of a year and a half the group quickly grew from 8 to over 40. It was at this time that God began to fulfill several prophetic words that had been spoken over Pastor Holland and Roxie when they were first married in their early twenties. More recent prophetic words about God birthing a new work through Pastor Holland and Roxie, along with the departure of Ocean Hills leadership from Calvary Chapel Distinctives confirmed that God was indeed prompting them to leave Ocean Hills. In November 2009 they made the decision to step out in a new venture of faith called Calvary Chapel San Clemente.

First Sunday at Vista Del Mar School… February 14, 2010

In December of 2009, Pastor Holland met with Pastor Chuck Smith

After sharing his heart with Pastor Chuck, he asked permission to begin a Calvary Chapel work in San Clemente. Pastor Chuck smiled and responded, “Of course, what else would you be?”  After discussing where the other Calvary Chapel churches were located in South Orange County, Pastor Chuck gave his blessing, prayed for Pastor Holland and Roxie and said… Go For It. With that encouragement, Calvary Chapel San Clemente began holding Sunday night prayer meetings in December of 2009 and Wednesday evening Bible Studies in January of 2010. Through the Sunday night prayer meetings the decision was made to launch Valentine’s Day 2010.  On our first Sunday we had over 230 friends celebrate the launching of a new venture of faith in San Clemente.

No one said it couldn’t be done…

From our inception, God has miraculously provided for Calvary Chapel San Clemente. When the date was set for Valentine’s Day 2010, no one said you couldn’t plant a church in less than 60 days. We didn’t know it was an impossibility. But I guess that’s what makes our story so powerful. God gets all the glory! We are naive enough to take God as His Word and step out in faith.

God is building His Story at Calvary Chapel San Clemente…

Within two weeks, Calvary Chapel San Clemente was approved to meet at Vista Del Mar School… over Christmas vacation. One week before the launch date, God provided a 24 foot trailer complete with rolling racks and children’s ministry equipment through Crossline Church and 30 much needed chairs for children’s ministry through Heritage Christian Fellowship. God also provided a complete sound system large enough to handle a small stadium through Thousand Oaks Calvary Chapel. This sound system was used at the multi-church supported Easter Together Event that gathered 3500 people from over 6 churches. Our first Sunday was over 200 in attendance. We now have a vibrant community of faith, hope and love in the middle of San Clemente.  On July 2017, Calvary Chapel San Clemente signed a lease on a building making it the first time in the history of San Clemente that Calvary Chapel has had a church building in the city. It has been clear from the very beginning that God is building His Church at Calvary Chapel San Clemente. In the words of Pastor Chuck Smith, I often feel like a spectator watching God work. From the very beginning, we’ve wanted to see God do something that only He would get the glory for. It’s my prayer that I will always remain in a place of awe as I watch God do amazing things before our eyes. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Original Bible Study at the home of Chris & Careen Lewis
Pastor Holland on Live with Ryan Ries from the Whosoevers

Calvary Chapel San Clemente is part of a bigger story…

The Calvary Chapel movement was birthed during the turbulent times of the late sixties and early seventies. The time was ripe for revival and God chose a small church in Costa Mesa called Calvary Chapel pastored by a Chuck Smith to move through. The rest is history. CLICK HERE to read the story about the Jesus Movement. Calvary Chapel San Clemente is affiliated with the Calvary Chapel Association of churches.

We are blessed to be Calvary Chapel of San Clemente… 

Since 2010, Calvary Chapel San Clemente has faithfully served our Spanish village by the sea.   There are many great churches in South Orange County including many Calvary Chapels.  What makes Calvary Chapel San Clemente unique is the creative emphasis on new songs of worship that are sung around the world, the emphasis on families, the verse by verse teaching of God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation and the depth of wisdom and understanding from the insights gained through the teaching ministry of Calvary Chapel San Clemente.  One of our greatest desires is to see men and women equipped in the knowledge of God’s Word through our Bible studies and in moving in the power of the Spirit through our Afterglow.