In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Only twenty-five people attended. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a church that seats over 2000 and is filled almost nightly. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgement, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach draws 25,000 people weekly.

With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ. Included among this generation of new believers were Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, Raul Ries, and Skip Heitzig, as well as hundreds of others who now have ministries of their own.

Since then, Pastor Chuck extended his teaching nationally through The Word for Today radio program, as well as internationally over the Internet. As the years passed, Pastor Chuck's visionary leadership brought a variety of other ministries into existence, including:

* Maranatha Music, a Christian music recording company
* CSN, International, a dynamic and growing radio ministry
* Hope for the Children International, an outreach to needy, inner-city children
* The Word For Today, a multi-media publishing/radio broadcasting company
* Maranatha Christian Academy and Calvary High School
* Calvary Chapel Bible College

Known for his cheerful enthusiasm, high energy, and unwavering faith, Pastor Chuck is well respected throughout the Christian community. His wife, Kay, heads up Costa Mesa's women's ministry, while his son, Jeff, oversees The Word for Today and CSN International. Pastor Chuck's other three children are also involved in the ministry.