In the late 1960s, Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa was entrusted by God with a work of the Holy Spirit that would play a major role in what came to be known as the Jesus Movement. Pastor Chuck wanted to get away from the gimmicks and programs that denominations were using to generate church growth and He was frustrated with the programs, and excesses of hyper- Pentecostalism. He began to teach simple, expositional– verse by verse– messages to supplement his topical messages in order let the Scriptures speak for themselves.

The Jesus Movement soon started in the late Sixties when hundreds of disillusioned young people were saved. These young people were drawn to the simple and clear teaching of God’s Word. Calvary Chapel became a place where these new believers were free to introduce a new form of worship, which today is known as Contemporary Christian Worship. This form of worship included less formal attire, a more laid-back atmosphere, and the beginnings of a more contemporary worship music style that many churches (both non-denominational and denominational) include in their worship services today. These days, Calvary Chapels can be found all over the world and are best known for simply teaching the Word of God, verse by verse, from Genesis to Revelation.