Leading US evangelical pastor and Bible teacher Chuck Smith has died after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
The 86 year-old passed away early this morning in Southern California. He was the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, where he had been since 1965, and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement.
Diagnosed in 2011, Pastor Smith continued to preach and even delivered three sermons last Sunday morning at his huge church.
Charles Ward "Chuck" Smith has been called "one of the most influential Christian pastors in Southern California" who is known for training other prominent ministers including Skip Heitzig, Mike MacIntosh, and Greg Laurie. At its beginning, Calvary Chapel operated as a cross-cultural missions organisation that bridged the "generation gap" as it existed during the Vietnam War period.
It was a hub of the "Jesus People" phenomenon that existed at that time and was featured in Time Magazine for its success among "hippies" and young people. Calvary Chapel introduced a less formal and contemporary approach in its worship and public meetings by doing outreaches on the beach and baptisms in the Pacific Ocean. Much of Contemporary Christian Music has its roots in Calvary Chapel worship music. Premier's Inspirational Breakfast presenter John Pantry and his wife attended Calvary Chapel in the late seventies and knew Pastor Smith well.
He says he was a revolutionary Christian in America, and a "fabulous Bible teacher" who preached the Bible verse by verse:
It was on News Year's Day 2012 that Pastor Smith announced to his congregation at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, during a service that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Chuck Smith is the author and co-author of several books and also preached on his daily radio ministry show The Word for Today which airs on Premier weekdays at 5am.
He leaves behind his wife Kay and four children.