God is Still Writing Our History. Maybe You’d Like to be a Part of It.
Calvary Chapel Mercer County began in 1997 in the hearts of several people at the same time. It was fascinating to watch it all come together rather quickly. A Bible study started in April and three months later the first Sunday morning service had 158 people in attendance. Here are a few of the details.
Scott Turansky was in Africa as a missionary in 1996 and believed that God wanted him to return to Mercer County to start a Calvary Chapel. Upon returning he immediately began attending Calvary Chapel Philadelphia at the end of March. In April he started a Bible study in his home and a second one at a bagel shop in Hamilton. The word spread quickly and it became evident that God was already doing a work. Scott was only one of the people that God was working in to bring the church into existence.
Within two short months the Bible study grew to over 60 adults confirming God’s direction in planting a church. The first Sunday, July 21, 1997 was quite a day. Only knowing each other for a short time we worked together to offer children’s classes, ushers, greeters, and a whole crew to set up and take down the equipment. Many of those same leaders who helped start Calvary Chapel have continued in leadership positions to this day.
We first met at the Lawrence High School and had one service. After 5 years at the Lawrence High School we moved to a building on Parkway Ave in Ewing. God used that time for further development of the church and for extablishing a greater identity in the community.
Gregg Downs left his teaching job at the Ewing High School to join the staff at Calvary full time in 2007 and he adds a huge dimension of leadership and teaching gifts to the church. Erik Lydick started at the Robbinsville campus using his gifts to lead ministries at Robbinsville. With time and training, Erik was ordained as the campus pastor of Robbinsville on April 8, 2012.
Now Calvary Chapel has two campuses, an enthusiastic vision, and is highly involved in nurturing the faith of its members and reaching out to the community and around the world.
Of course, the history of Calvary is still being written. We invite you to take an active part as we grow together to be the church God has called us to be here in this community.