Personal message from Pastor JD concerning decision to disaffiliate from Calvary Chapel
April 21, 2024 • J.D. Farag
Personal message from Pastor JD concerning decision to disaffiliate from Calvary Chapel;
Aloha Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As many of you know, on Sunday April 21st, 2024, I announced that the Board of Directors adopted a resolution on March 17th, 2024, to disaffiliate from Calvary Chapel, and out of respect, we subsequently removed the “Calvary Chapel Kaneohe” sign from the exterior of our building shortly after.
This weighty decision was bathed in much weeping, praying and fasting by the Board of Directors, Pastors, and staff for well-nigh 4-years now commencing in 2020, with Covid-19 and the so-called "vaccine". Sadly, we came to the heartbreaking realization that we were no longer walking together in agreement, (Amos 3:3).
While we’ve disaffiliated from Calvary Chapel, we’re still committed to Pastor Chuck Smith's "original" Calvary Chapel Distinctives and will continue to abide by them, as in every respect we still function as a Calvary Chapel, though no longer affiliated with Calvary Chapel. So-much-so that we’ll continue to offer Pastor Chuck’s book, “The Calvary Chapel Distinctives” to anyone at no cost, as we always have for many years.
There will be absolutely no changes with the exception of our name, which will now simply be, “Calvary Kaneohe”. This after seeking the multitude of counsel (Proverbs 11:14), so as to maintain transparency and remain above reproach, which we have, by God’s grace, for 20-years, since I first planted this church in 2004.
It’s of paramount importance to understand that there is no ill will towards Calvary Chapel, any Calvary Chapel Pastors or affiliated ministries, rather, we deemed it prudent to officially and legally disaffiliate in a God honoring way so as to not cause any further and unnecessary consternation or division, specific to our “controversial” Bible Prophecy Updates, which we’ve done weekly, for about 18-years, since back in 2006.
We remain committed to, and will continue with, simply teaching the Bible simply, book-by-book, chapter- by-chapter and verse-by-verse as Pastor Chuck always taught us to. Furthermore, we are most compelled and even constrained to always preach only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and teach Bible prophecy in this, the last hour, so as to get Jesus to people and people to Jesus; as many as we can, and as quickly as we can.
Please know that we cannot thank you all enough for your overwhelming love and kindness to us in this regard. We continue to receive words of encouragement, which are numerous and voluminous, and for which we are most grateful to the many who are taking the time to email, write, and or post your unwavering support of, and steadfast agreement with, this most difficult decision.
We appreciate your patience with us, and covet your prayers for us, moving forward as we navigate this unchartered territory, especially for myself, as the privileged pastor of this most amazing and loving church, both locally and internationally. I've been with Calvary Chapel for over 42-years now, since back in 1982, and have planted and pastored two Calvary Chapels in 25-years of those 42-years, beginning back in 1999.
Lastly, and very importantly, our disaffiliation from Calvary Chapel is not synonymous with my disassociation from Calvary Chapel pastors, as I personally have many dear friends who are Calvary Chapel pastors, from whom I receive godly counsel, and to whom I am also accountable, and with whom I am still in fellowship.
Until, jd
