Biker vs. Preacher: Pastor Chuck Smith was minding his own business in southern California one day in the 1970's when a rough-looking hippie biker-couple pulled up to ask a question, "We are Christian and want to go to a church; but we don't look good enough to go into any church we've seen. Can we come to your church?" Chuck thought a minute and said, "If I invite you to my church, I don't know how long I'll be there. But as long as I AM there, you are welcome to come!" Calvary Chapel reached out to the community; and God blessed the ministry of this church, making it a phenomenal magnet to Jesus as it exploded in growth from less than a thousand members then to over 15,000 in a network of daughter congregations in 1998.

[reposted 17 Jan. 2002]