Jesus Revolution & Calvary Chapel: Chuck Smith’s Story of Faith, Revival, and Legacy

About this sermon

What does it mean to leave an eternal legacy? In this unforgettable episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with Pastor Chuck Smith—the visionary founder of Calvary Chapel and often called “the father of the Jesus Movement”—for a profound, personal conversation recorded live at Harvest Orange County in 2012. Together, Greg and Chuck delve into Chuck’s journey from boyhood in Ventura, California, to his pivotal decision to pursue ministry over medicine, trusting God for an impact that would last beyond this life. Chuck shares candid stories about his family, his marriage to Kay (his partner of 63 years!), and the unimaginable pain of losing loved ones—all woven together by faith, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to God’s Word. You’ll discover surprising insights, such as the astonishing miracle that changed Chuck’s family forever, the real story behind Calvary Chapel’s explosive growth and birth of contemporary Christian music, and how Chuck remained calm in the face of death, cancer, and seemingly impossible storms. Pastor Greg and Chuck also revisit the origins of the Jesus Movement, the importance of supporting each other through suffering, and what truly sustains a lifelong marriage and ministry. This episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and hope for anyone facing challenges, questioning their purpose, or simply longing for inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered how ordinary faith becomes extraordinary legacy, you’ll find answers here. Don’t miss Chuck’s heartfelt prayer and his favorite hymn, “The Love of God,” as the perfect close to a conversation about running life’s race and finishing well. Subscribe for more conversations like this—full of faith, real stories, and practical encouragement for your own journey. Don’t miss this powerful episode. Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, encourage, and point you toward lasting hope. Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit: https://harvest.org/. Find Pastor Greg on social media: https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/ https://x.com/greglaurie https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us. -------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 Kay Smith’s Burden for Hippie Youth 02:08 Everything in Life Is Preparation 04:46 Sister’s Healing and Mother’s Vow 08:12 Chuck’s Personal Encounter with God at Age 14 10:19 "One Life, Soon Past—Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last" 13:55 Meeting Kay: A Misplaced Car and Love at First Sight 16:13 Secret to a Long Marriage: Christ at the Center 18:25 The Infamous Boulder Incident 21:00 Losing Father and Brother: Processing Tragedy and Faith 24:26 Never Trade What You Know for What You Don’t Know 26:41 Calvary Chapel: From Small Church to Jesus Movement 33:33 Lonnie Frisbee’s Impact & Hippie Revival Explosion 41:37 Calvary Chapel Expands: Birth of Contemporary Worship 42:13 Cancer Diagnosis: Chuck’s Peace and Perspective on Death 45:03 Best Decision: Marrying Kay 46:28 Most Embarrassing Moment: “Blessed Out of My Gourd” in New Guinea 47:08 First Sermon and Last Sermon Themes 49:47 Three Reasons for Preaching Christ’s Return 52:02 Heroes: Billy Graham and the Power of Sacrifice 53:52 How Chuck Wants to Be Remembered 54:39 Chuck Sings “The Love of God” 57:40 Final Wisdom: Holding to an Unchanging Christ in Uncertain Times 58:39 Chuck’s Prayer for Listeners and the Future___________________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for watching! Be sure to like and subscribe so you are notified as soon as a new video arrives. Get exclusive content on the Harvest+ Streaming App, including Harvest Films, TV shows and hundreds of messages from Pastor Greg Laurie. Available on Apple iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Google TV, and Samsung TV! Watch here: https://watch.harvest.org/ To support the ministry of Pastor Greg Laurie and help us continue to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, visit here https://harvest.org/donate/

Topics

• Faith
• Jesus Christ
• Revival