Dear Calvary Church Family,
As we come to the end of another incredible year, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy for all the Lord has accomplished in our midst. The Lord has been faithful to open many doors for us to walk through and proclaim His name—locally, nationally, and globally.
In 2023, we celebrated one year in our new church home. Our team has worked diligently on several different construction projects to provide a warm environment for everyone who attend our fellowship. We have more projects scheduled for the new year, one of which is moving all of our power to solar.
Calvary South OC has had many opportunities during the year to impact our community. Here are a few highlights of doors the Lord opened for us to minister and be available:
- We have been able to open the San Clemente City Council meetings in prayer. What a blessing!
- This year, I have personally had the privilege of becoming an Orange County Sheriffs’ Chaplain.
- We are actively involved with and in support of our local Pregnancy Resource Center that provides alternatives to women in crisis situations and for those considering the termination of their pregnancies. Through the PRC, we have seen many babies’ lives saved this year.
- For a third time, we held one of the largest men’s gatherings in Southern California—the SoCal Men’s Conference. This year, over 7,000 men were in attendance at the Anaheim Convention Center, and next year’s conference is already on the calendar.
- In 2023, we participated in one of the largest baptisms in Southern California history at Pirate’s Cove with over 5,000 people baptized.
- Our Spanish church led by Pastor Fabian Martinez meets weekly and regularly reaches into the neighborhoods of San Juan Capistrano and surrounding areas to minister to young children and their families with the love of Jesus.
- On October 31, Calvary South OC held a free and safe event for the community called the Harvest Festival. Thousands of people joined us, both a blessing and great alternative to Halloween.
- In addition, we also were given the privilege of hosting a memorial at our church for a retired California Fire Marshall. That event brought many people from the first responder community together.
Throughout the Christmas season, we have had the joy of spreading the message of the gospel on two separate occasions at the Outlets at San Clemente. In total, more than 5,000 attended for both events and heard the Good News! We also had the opportunity to have a presence in the local junior high and high school campuses in San Clemente proclaiming the gospel to the young in our community. Our Spanish ministry provided Christmas gifts for children in less fortunate neighborhoods. Also, we sent over 350 Operation Christmas Child boxes around the world, and our women’s ministry fellowship put on an amazing two-night dinner with over 1,000 women in attendance. Also, we have been able to baptize hundreds of people at Baby Beach and onsite at our church campus.
On issues that affect our families, we attended school board meetings to stand in the gap for truth. We traveled to Sacramento and stood on the steps of the California State Capital in opposition to the evil legislation that has been devastating our state, and we marched in the pouring rain during this year’s March for Life. In addition, we hosted a staff retreat for one of the largest and most engaged online following in the pro-life movement: an organization called Live Action.
We also witnessed a miracle this year as we stood with hundreds of other believers at an abortion clinic set to open in Beverly Hills as it was denied its permits and shut down. Praise the Lord!
Our radio ministry A Daily Walk has expanded throughout the United States and is heard on over 500 radio stations every day. Also, our outreach online has expanded significantly, reaching thousands of people with God’s Word.
The provision of the new building has served as a blessing to house The Word for Today, an ongoing ministry of the late Pastor Chuck Smith. His sermons & other materials are edited and published in house for all to listen to and continue to glean from, even 10 years after he has gone home to be with the Lord.
Every day of the week at Calvary South OC, an onsite ministry provides God’s Word and an opportunity to grow. We offer a midweek service, men’s and women’s prayer meetings and a Wednesday night prayer meeting for missions. Our groups include Thrive Young Adults, Calvary Men, 55+, young families, and Focus Generation Singles ministries, as well as high school, junior high, and children’s ministries. We also host the Salt and Light ministry, a homeschool moms’ ministry, a cancer support ministry and widows’ fellowship. In addition, we have a Spanish ministry, first responders’ Bible study, the School of Ministry, our Calvary Celebration Choir, and more!
Our missions’ ministry continues to expand nationally and globally. The kingdom of God is expanding. Three church plants have emerged from our church with locations in Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Praise God! Also, we support missionaries all over the world from Nepal to China, Africa, Mexico, Guatemala, Rwanda, Arizona, Nicaragua, and more.
I could report much more, but let me say how deeply moved I am by the incredible generosity and support you have shown throughout 2023. Your faithful giving has helped provide for all the ministries, enabling us to reach out to those in need, and empowering us to make a tangible difference in the lives of many.
As we look forward to the new year, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us as a church. Our mission as a beacon of light and love in our community burns brighter than ever, and I am confident that, together, we will continue to impact lives and spread God's love in powerful ways.
Your ongoing support is a blessing, and I am humbly asking for your continued generosity as we prepare for the year ahead. Your financial contributions, volunteerism, and prayers are making an everlasting impact, and I am deeply thankful for each and every one of you.
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, let us also reflect on the incredible blessings we have received and the hope the new year holds for us. May God's grace and peace be with you and your loved ones as we enter into 2024.
I am grateful for your faithfulness and the many ways you have blessed our church family. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel and for your shining example of God's love in our community.
I pray all of you had a blessed Christmas, and we wish you a blessed and joyous New Year!
Yours in Christ,
