HISTORY OF CALVARY BIBLE CHURCH

Calvary Bible Church came to life in the spring of 1990 when a group of 40 people met at Burton’s Shoe Store to discuss the feasibility of starting a non-denominational church in Lodi.  At that meeting, approximately $50,000 was pledged and the name was chosen.

Within a month, three pastors were called – Randy Bowman, Senior Pastor; Chris Seibert, Worship Pastor and Larry Stirlen, Associate Pastor.  The church rented the Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church on Central Avenue.  Within a year, the century old church at the corner of Hilborn and Garfield was purchased for $209,000.  Another $130,000 plus a lot of sweat equity renovated what would become our home for the next 10 years.  The church grew steadily, at one point we occupied three locations simultaneously on Sunday mornings – Heritage School, classroom space at 942 E. Pine Street and the church on Hilborn.  Thanks to the marvelous generosity of God’s people, we were able to plant a Hispanic church at the Hilborn location. 

God marvelously intervened for the church, enabling us to purchase 32 acres of river-front property for $485,000 in 1997.  Those were exciting days as we watched God move the County officials to grant us permission to build. 

In 2001, we occupied the 800-seat worship facility that overlooks the Mokelumne River.  Church members gave generously to our second stewardship campaign enabling us to build this award winning facility.  In 2005, the offices were moved from Pine Street to their permanent location in the office/education building constructed debt free.

The growing Hispanic church, led by Pastor Reuben Zagert, continues to meet at the Hilborn location and serve the Hispanic community.  Recently this church plant was able to purchase the property for $175,000.  The equity we left on the table was the largest missionary contribution our church has ever made.