Our Mission
We want to multiply Christ-like disciples who are:

Passionate about their God

Obedient to the Word

Dependent on God through Prayer

Connected to one another

And Authentic and Relevant in their witness

History:
Calvary Baptist Church held its first meeting Easter Sunday morning, April 25, 1943 with the founding pastor, the Rev. Victor Beattie. Services were conducted in the auditorium of the Battle Creek Sanitarium until December 1948. In January, 1946 Pastor Beattie resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. Allen Cherry in March, 1946. On December 5, 1948, the church had to move when the federal government took over the auditorium. The congregation began meeting in the adventist Church in Urbandale the following week. Pastor Cherry's ministry at Calvary was subsequently terminated two weeks later.

On January 11, 1949, the Rev Roy Frook became interim pastor and the congregation purchased the former Lutheran Church building at 11 Adams Street into which they moved on November 19, 1949. The Rev. Jay DeBoer began his ministry as our pastor on Easter Sunday, April, 9, 1950. A growing membership necessitated the purchase property at 400 North Avenue where a partial building was utilized and services were held on April 12, 1959. Pastor DeBoer resigned in June of 1959. The Rev Walter Gibson began his ministry on August 30, 1959 and relinquished his position in June of 1962. Pastor Henry Berends succeeded the Rev. Gibson in March of 1963. The Rev. Berends faithfully served the church for 17 years, resigning on March 2, 1980.

The Kellogg Foundation purchased the North Avenue church property. Subsequently, on January 8, 1963, three and one half acres were purchased on Capital Avenue at Frey Drive for a new church building for Calvary Baptist. We moved into our present building on Sunday, March 1, 1964.

The Rev. Brian Spencer was called to shepherd Calvary on August 2, 1981 and continues to inspire and lead as our faithful Senior Pastor. In May of 1990, a new graduate of Grand Rapids Baptist College, Donald Jackson, Jr., came as our Youth Pastor and since has held the position of an Associate Pastor since 1995, and is in charge of the Student Ministries. The Rev. Jim Luedeman came to Calvary from Hart, Michigan and began his ministry here on September 2, 1997. He resigned in November, 2003.

Calvary has a rich history of longevity among its pastors and several faithful members as well. God has blessed Calvary with a pastorate of godly shepherds over its 60 year history. With God's faithful guidance, Calvary will continue to serve the Lord until His return