Pastor Dr. Chuck Olson |
Dear Friend--
WELCOME to our new Calvary website! Hers's a taste of Calvary.
In 1923 a wealthy businessman named P.A. Peterson, who later donated P.A.Peterson Center for Health and P.A. Peterson School to Rockford,wanted an English speaking congregation where his employees could worship. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and together they founded Calvary. The founding pastor was a remarkable young man who was a fresh graduate of the Moody Bible Insitute name Melvin Smith.
Pastor Smith had some kind of incredible heart for kids. He had chalk talks that fascinated people. He had woodworking projects where poor children could make nice things. As the depression came he arranged with bakeries to get day old bread that he would distribute to needy people. In those days skimmed milk was thrown away by dairies. He arranged to get it in quantity for kids who had no milk at all.
And, they came. Hundreds of children of all ages, making large Sunday School, adult, and Confirmation classes. A special pride was in Christian Endeavor, a city-wide youth effort where kids could visit other churches and be visited and perhaps meet their soul mate.
Today there are different kids around Calvary, but they are also the same, many are poor, and all suffer from the problems of today's world. So we have our Wednesday afternoon/evening Jesus Club, with a big supper, classes, and free guitar lessons. The Little Saints is our new Jr. & Sr. High youth group. And the Guardians are our new church patrol to keep Calvary and more importantly, our neighborhood kids safe.
If your heart breaks for kids and you NEED to help them, Calvary is the place for you. Do contact me any time by calling 342-6064.
God loves you and so do I, Pator Churck Olson. |
