How the Lord established Calvary Chapel in Perth Amboy
Pastor Gene explains:
All I know is that I sensed a calling from the Lord to teach the Bible. Not knowing where or how, I spent a few years praying and seeking the Lord for direction, all the while already serving in various ministries at CCOB. Logically, there was no reason for us to leave our home church as Terri and I were bringing up our children in an already established, Spirit filled, well equipped church. Yet the desire to step out and start a new work was unceasing.
Over time, the Lord kept bringing Perth Amboy to my heart. I felt as though there would be a people there hungry for the Word to be taught verse by verse. There were times I’d end up in there for one reason or another and the Lord would give me a vision and heart for the people of the community. Some of those times were just spent sitting in one of the parks by the waterfront in prayer over the city.
In 2010, together with our then 7 year old son, I set out with a box of Gospel of John booklets to teach the Bible in the gazebo at the waterfront. We would hand out Bibles and invite strangers to hear the messages. It was a reach and teach ministry. After the teaching, son and I would go to the nearby sprinkler park and hand out balloon animals and share the message of Jesus. When the weather got cooler, we were blessed to move the Bible study to the YMCA where we held Sunday Bible studies for the next five years, all the while still attending services at our home church.
In October of 2015, I was ordained as pastor and the church in Perth Amboy was established by the grace of God. The desire to reach and teach in Perth Amboy has never wavered, although quitting was a constant thought. Today, we remain a church that are blessed to worship at a hall rental located at 289 High Street. The address is a constant reminder that the God from on high has blessed our church by His grace: Ephesians 2: 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”.
We, the body at CCPA, have witnessed many come to be born again and baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We enjoy serving the community through outreaches, VBS, visitations, feeding the needy and coming alongside missionaries. Perhaps what we enjoy most is having our roots grow deeper in the city as we are rooted in the Word of God and growing in our relationship with Him.
What had started with a vision and a heart’s desire, continues to be realized as God gives the increase. May His hand and blessings continue to be on our church and may He be glorified in all we do, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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