Welcome to CalvaryLife!
Greetings,
I’m so glad you stopped by. We are so blessed by the matchless grace of God in Jesus Christ that we just can’t keep quiet about it. We want everyone to enjoy the freedom, joy, and abundant living that life in Jesus provides. That’s why we partner together as a family of ministries to share God’s love in faith, word, and action throughout the greater Rockford area. As we grow in our connections with other believers, so too will our ministries expand and grow, but let me share with you our three current expressions of CalvaryLife.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH began during the northern migration of workers seeking jobs during the manufacturing boon that followed WWII. Many of these newcomers longed for the same warm worship experiences they had enjoyed in their churches back home. Their deep personal faith in Jesus, reverence for the Bible, passion for missions and ministry, and desire for warm fellowship among friends led them to form Calvary Baptist Church. Through the years those same values have held true while Calvary has become more reflective of the cultures and styles of the upper mid-west. We still love those old hymns and gospel sounds, but our worship also includes contemporary Christian music with it’s rich expressions of worship and praise. We still have Sunday School at 9:15 and Sunday morning worship at 10:30. Wednesday prayer and Bible study is at 10:30 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. We believe in the power of prayer and meet on Sunday nights at 5:30 to pray for our church, community, nation, and world. I take my responsibilities in preparing and proclaiming God’s Word very seriously. I don’t want to preach ‘sermons‘ – I want to present ‘messages’ with truth and clarity’. I want my Calvary friends and family to know what the Bible says but also why and how to live lives based on it’s life-changing truth and power. We’re a family of all ages and every status from toddlers to grandparents – marrieds and singles – starter families and ‘empty-nesters’. Frequently you’ll hear first-time guests use words like warm, friendly, and genuine when describing our church family. Come try it – I think you’ll like it too!
LIVINGSTONES FELLOWSHIP is a new church family that began in the home of Pastor Jeremiah Griffin. The son of a pastor and church-planter, Jeremiah has a passion for taking Jesus to the community in faith and action! You’re just as likely to see pastor J.P (as he’s affectionately called) handing out bottles of water to joggers along the Sinnissippi walking path as teaching the Bible or serving weekly Communion in their 6:30 pm. Little wonder that they soon needed a larger place in which to meet, so now hold their Saturday night service at Calvary on Linden Rd. ‘Bible Boot-Camp’ meets Thursday nights in various locals teaching the foundation principles Christ taught us for living healthy, vibrant lives. Reaching people everywhere in every place and every status drives LivingStones to host Bible studies and preaching points in many places around the Rockford area. Being a church on mission and in action is the mantra of this growing new church family.
FREE4LIFE is the heart-beat of Darrell and Ginger Birmingham. Having found freedom from the ravages of generational substance abuse through the delivering grace of Jesus Christ, Darrell and Ginger have invested their lives in reaching the hearts and lives of those still struggling with the effects of drugs, alcohol and relationship abuse. A fellowship meal, Bible study, sharing and praying time characterize their 6:30 Friday night Free4Life gatherings at 620 Brooke Rd. They distribute blankets, gloves, and warm socks in the winter to the homeless and poor. They host a summer Block Party for neighbors in the Orton-Keyes apartments and provided worship services at the Rockford Rescue Mission. Just hearing the testimonies of those who’ve moved from homelessness and hopelessness to faith, hope, and stability is enough to move our faith family to tears and cheers. Whether you are or have been the victim of past hurts and hangups, or simply want to join in a personal life-changing mission to help and celebrate the healing message of faith in Christ, you’ll want to check out Free4Life!
The real beauty of CalvaryLife is the interaction and joint fellowship of these ministries working together to impact our city. We host Hospitality Tables at area businesses and Kidz Corners with ‘Face Painting’, Snow Cones and even a ‘Bounce House’ so children too can know that Jesus loves them and they’re special to Him. Services at the Rockford Rescue Mission and Christian music concerts on our Calvary lawn provide additional opportunities for us to tell the story in simplicity and love. Celebrating our personal diversities in the midst of our spiritual unity makes CalvaryLife a great way to live out our glorious life in Christ. I hope you’ll come get acquainted with us. We sure look forward to getting acquainted with you. Who knows but that you too will want to enjoy the CalvaryLife?
Phone: (815) 874-4136
Email: pastor@calvarylife.net
Facebook: Calvary Life Group