When Pastor Dan & Shelley were preparing to go into a church-planting mission, they had no idea that it would be in the Ojai Valley. With Shelley’s parents living in Ojai since 1984, they temporarily moved to Ojai in October ’97 while preparing for a one-year study program at Jerusalem University College in Israel. In January ’98, when it seemed that the Lord had closed the door to Israel, a new chapter of ministry began, which would later become Calvary Chapel of the Ojai Valley.

With Israel plans recently closed, and not knowing clearly what the Lord’s plan would be, Dan & Shelley decided to begin a community Bible Study. The Ojai Recreation Department agreed to allow use of the Jack Boyd Community Center and a flyer was placed in the local newspaper. On June 1, 1998, almost twenty people showed up for the first night and the Ojai Valley Bible Study was formed. They studied John chapter 1. Each week, the Lord brought people to the Bible Study, which would enable both the beginnings of ministry in the Valley and a source of encouragement to carry forward. After finishing the Book of John, the group decided to continue into the Book of Galatians, then Ephesians, then Colossians, straight through Revelation. A Saturday morning Bible Study was also added in Oak View at the Community Center where the Book of Acts was studied. Later the Monday night Bible Study would be moved into the Nelson’s home. Having spent time in meeting and prayer with other Calvary Chapel pastors and local Christian pastors in the valley, Dan was encouraged to start Sunday morning services.

On April 23, 2000 (Easter), our first Sunday morning service took place as Calvary Chapel of the Ojai Valley at the Oak View Community Center. It was a true blessing to all of us. Many churches and individuals had helped participate in the outreach through prayer or by providing equipment and supplies. The Lord took care of all of our needs, from the sound system to children’s ministry supplies. Most important, the Lord sent wonderful people to partner in this outreach ministry.

Since we began, we have been blessed to partner with other Christian churches in the community and Ventura County to provide local outreach, conferences, and special events. We believe that our Lord is glorified as the Body of Christ is united. Calvary Ojai has been blessed to have had a critical role with K-life radio for the past decade, and pastor Dan has hosted scores of concerts and outreaches at churches and various venues throughout the county.

In 2020, we celebrated our 22-year anniversary as a Christian ministry and 20 years as a local church. At that time we will have gone through the entire New Testament, plus the 12 Minor Prophets, Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and Isaiah chapter-by-chapter verse-by-verse. Authentic worship and learning to live God’s Word in a community of likeminded people is central to what we are about. Calvary Ojai has grown to become a family oriented gathering of genuine followers of Jesus Christ, committed to the authority of the Bible and loving everybody

It is a privilege and a life-changing lesson to be involved in the service of the King. We have been blessed in so many ways since we began and are completely excited about the future of this church plant ministry. We thank you for your partnership and continued prayer for everything that is done through this ministry and everywhere that proclaims the message and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.