One of my mentors Pastor Chuck Smith has entered Heavens Gates

I received this e-mail this last week about a Pastor I never had the pleasure of meeting in person but I loved listening to his sermons, teachings, reading his devotionals quotes & my Pastors used his materials to disciple me &  many others in our CCBHC Family. I can't wait to meet him in Heaven someday. Pastor Chuck Smith had been battling cancer for some time now & it is a bittersweet time we grieve the loss of this awesome Pastor/Man with his family &  Friends & rejoice at the same time that he is healed & with our Heavenly Father in his eternal home. He will be deeply missed by so many people whose lives he impacted, he truly touched  the lives of all those who knew him personally & those who followed his teachings. 

The email I received this week: 

Dear Calvary Family,

  As the world woke up on October 3rd 2013, we were hit with the news that Pastor Chuck Smith, a man who has been literally bigger than life to us all, has entered into the Lord Jesus’ presence and awoke in His likeness. 

            The news is all over Facebook, the internet, and certainly thousands of tweets and blogs as well as other forms of communication.  Magazines and news agencies are already posting it, but many are probably misstating the facts.  It is as Brian Brodersen just reminded us all on KWVE, “Chuck Smith has not died; Chuck Smith has just moved.” 

            While the news is not shocking (as Pastor Chuck has been fighting cancer for some time), it is none the less news that brings sorrow.  As the Apostle Paul wrote, “We grieve, but not as they that have no hope.”  Actually, sometimes we as Christians even grieve more than others, for we know love and relationship and commitment better than others, and that opens us up to grief when such a loved one is taken.  But our grief is different because it is not a hopeless grief.  We all know that soon we will awake in His Presence, we will be conformed to His likeness, and we will know as we are known.  Soon all our tears will be wiped away and eternal, heavenly joy will fill all our hearts.

             So, please be in prayer for Chuck’s wife,children as well as their spouses and the children and great grandchildren. Chuck was a father figure to so many of us. His love and gentle authority will be sorely missed, not to mention his love for God's Word, openness to the Spirit, and faithfulness in the ministry.

            At this point, services are being planned and when we have more clarity, we will pass that on to you as well.  Hopefully, the public service will be on the internet for all to share in later in the month.

             There will be more to pass on as plans are made, but for now, may the Lord Jesus, whom Pastor Chuck so wonderfully ministered to us, bless and keep your hearts and minds in His love.

In Jesus’ Blessed Name,

The Calvary Chapel Association Council

 Skip Heitzig

Ricky Ryan
Raul Ries
Damian Kyle
Joe Focht
Bob Coy
Bob Caldwell
Jack Hibbs
Brian Brodersen
David Rosales
Malcolm Wild
Jeff Johnson
Bil Stonebraker
Wayne Taylor
Tom Stipe
David Guzik
Ray Bentley
Lloyd Pulley
Sandy Adams
Don McClure