Calvary Chapel of the
Ojai Valley started as a Bible Study group in June of 1998.
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 waiting for details to
be accomplished concerning 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 door would be opened 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 make plans to hold a community Bible
Study. The Ojai Recreation
Department agreed to allow use of the Jack Boyd Community Center and the
Ojai Valley News agreed to put a flyer 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 continue 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 is the most important
thing.
In 2012, we will be celebrating our
14-year anniversary
as a Christian ministry and 14-year anniversary 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 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 1 Kings chapter-by-chapter verse-by-verse.
It is a privilege and a life-changing lesson to be involved in
the Lord’s service. 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.
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