Introduction to Calvary Chapel

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Calvary Chapel is a nondenominational fellowship affiliated with Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California.  In the Dallas area, Calvary Chapel was started in the early 1980’s by a group of people who had heard Chuck Smith, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, on the radio.  It began as a home Bible Study with the group listening to Chuck Smith’s tapes.  Upon determining that they desired to form a church, they contacted Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa concerning their need for a Pastor.  As a result, Bill Philipp, from San Bernardino, California, answered God’s call and he and his wife came to Dallas to start this Calvary Chapel.

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The church grew from its small beginnings as a fellowship meeting in a hotel within the next couple of years.  Pastor Bill departed in 1986, succeeded by Pastor Rick Coburn the same year.

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Pastor Rick was saved through the ministry of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.  He attended there eleven years prior to his arrival in Dallas.  It was there in Costa Mesa that God prepared him for ministry.  This preparation included teaching home Bible Studies and heading a ministry into Mexico.  The Mexico ministry consisted of collecting food and clothing on a monthly basis and providing these to Mexican villages and orphanages.

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Pastor Rick is married to Patti.  They have six adult children and eight grandchildren currently.