For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)
LEADERSHIP
Pastor Scott & Lauren Woodcock
Scott is the Pastor of Calvary Christchurch who have been based in Christchurch since beginning of 2020. Previously serving in Calvary Auckland for 10 years.
Lauren is involved with worship and children's ministry. Together they have 4 children to keep them busy.
Alan Turner
(Elder/Treasurer)
Alan has been involved in Calvary Christchurch from the beginning. He is currently part of the Eldership and involved in assisting with the administration of the church.
Doug & Christine Search
Doug is actively involved with Pastoral support and Home Group facilitation and serves as an Elder. Christine is involved with the Women's Ministry and Worship Ministry.
Brian Malcolm
Brian serves as an Elder and oversees the prayer ministry.
Duane & Fiona Mossop
Duane and Fiona currently run our Youth Ministry and are actively involved facilitating the serving ministry at church.
OUR PRIORITY - PURSUING JESUS
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Pursue His WordAt Calvary we emphasize and prioritize the teaching ministry of the Word of God, and our obedience to it. Peter tells the church the main method of growing as a believer is the Word of God and in growing in it, we will be able to be effective in Spiritual things: As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:2-5 NKJV) Paul tells us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). He reinforces this truth with Timothy, and then explains the ultimate purpose of God's Word: and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 NKJV) As a church, we want to honour God and His Word... Ultimately, we find that we are complete and equipped for His mission by His Word. This is why 'Pursue His Word' is first on the list.
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Pursue His LoveWe desire to cultivate an environment where our faith is built upon the love of Christ. The expression of our faith should be love for the body of Christ and love as our witness to the world. Jesus said: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 NKJV) When we observe practically what service looks like in the Body of Christ, LOVE is the main foundation. This even applies to the domain of Spiritual gifts... 1 Co 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts... When Paul talks about the Gifts of the Spirit from chapter 12-14 of 1st Corinthians, we see sandwiched in between, the chapter focused entirely on LOVE, which prioritizes love above anything else. Our ultimate model of love is found in Jesus... Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV)
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Pursue His MissionHis Mission is effective when we are founded upon His Word and Living out His Love. The Great Commission given by Jesus was His final instruction to the church, and should remain the priority of the church through all the ages. This rates higher than any political objective or human cause. Noticeably, this includes the concept of discipleship which comes through the instruction of His Word. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) As a church we want to keep this priority as our main objective, in whatever capacity we can, as individuals we want to: ...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) What motivates us toward this mission? For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV)
We are a Calvary Chapel church affiliated with the Calvary Chapel family of churches worldwide. Click here to find out more about Calvary Chapel.
Our Beliefs
We are Evangelical:
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We believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God. We believe the Bible is the final authority in every area it addresses for every individual Christian, as well as for the church collectively. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, John 10:35)
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We believe there is one God who eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that all things were created by Him and for Him. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:21-22, Matthew 28:19, Colossians 1:16)
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We believe that God the Son became a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. That He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life (for He was without sin), died a substitutionary death for all mankind, was raised from the dead the third day, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God until His enemies are made His footstool. (John 1:1, 14, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Hebrews 10:12-13)
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We believe the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and the Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We believe the Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, and seals believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He empowers them to live as His witnesses. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
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We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image. He created them sinless, equal in value, dignity, and worth. (Genesis 1:26-28, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, 1 Timothy 3:1-7)
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We believe that, as a result of the Fall, all people are sinners by nature and in need of a Savior, and that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior of the world. That salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Him. We believe that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved eternally. (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:18-19, Matthew 1:21, 1 John 4:14, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9)
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We believe there is one church, the body of Christ, consisting of men and women from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We believe that each local congregation is an expression of that universal church. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Revelation 5:9, Acts 2:42-47)
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We believe in the resurrection of the dead. Believers will be raised to life, and unbelievers to shame and everlasting contempt (hell). (Daniel 12:2, John 5:25-29, Revelation 21:1-22:5)
We are Continuationists:
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We believe that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Scripture are available to, and active in His church today. (John 14:16-17, John 16:7-11, Titus 3:5-6, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11)
We are Complementarian:
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We believe that God created human beings, male and female, in His own image. He created them sinless, equal in value, dignity, and worth. According to His purpose and design, God created to fulfill distinct but complementary roles in the contexts of marriage, family, and the local church.” (Genesis 1:26-28, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, 1 Timothy 3:1-7)
We are Premillennial:
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We believe in the pre-millennial return of Christ to the earth, to sit upon the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob (Israel), and the entire cosmos, forever. (Revelation 20:1-6, Luke 1:31-33, Isaiah 9:6-7)
We are Pre-tribulational
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We believe the church will be delivered from the “hour of trial” which will come upon all who dwell on the earth, being “caught up” in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (the Rapture). (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 3:10)