Today more than a hundred missionaries who are partially supported by the church circle the globe. A number of these are members of the church. Giving to missionaries and Christian institutions last year totaled $110,000.00 and represented about one-third of the budget. This includes a monthly commitment to Biola, who honored Pastor Bishop with a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1955. Emphasizing the church’s responsibility to the Great Commission and continual teaching and preaching o f the Word of God have resulted in continual growth. Today there are more than 1350 active members, and Sunday school attendance so far this year is averaging more than 1200. The Annual Missionary Conference conducted for one week each fall is the high point of the church year. Missionaries from around the world are joined by a noted Bible teacher for two sessions daily. An other important phase of the church’s ministry has been that of radio. From 11 to 12 each Sunday morning, listeners throughout the San Francisco Bay area join in the service on either one o f two radio outlets. The flourishing Saratoga Avenue Baptist Church in nearby San Jose is another product o f Calvary’s missionary outreach. It be came fully self-supporting soon after it was estab lished. “Calvary has always grown faster than we could afford,” was the delighted comment of one of the deacons some years ago. Long before the initial building could be erected, the church had outgrown the rumpus room in which it was started. Classes were held everywhere in the large two- story house, including the wine cellar! The original three acres of property have had to be increased to eight, on which are located four large buildings, including a full-sized gymnasium, and parking for more than 300 cars. The buildings are also shared with Valley Christian School, an independently- operated day school, offering quality education.
O U ilU ilb OF THE
Dr. Blaine Bishop Calvary Baptist Church
Twenty years, twenty years, Years of joy, years of tears, Fellowship so sweet at the Master’s fee t; Twenty years at dear old Calvary. W ith the singing o f this song, written espe cially for the occasion by Dale Evans Rogers, Calvary Baptist Church of Los Gatos, California, opened its Twentieth Anniversary year. A number of the original sixty charter members were pres ent for the occasion. They had first met in the rumpus room of a home on the first Sunday of January, 1948. Pastor Blaine Bishop arrived from Fargo, North Dakota, nineteen years ago this fall. In his first service he said, “ If this church is not going to be a missionary church, then I suggest you start selecting another pulpit committee and look for a new pastor.” They never have! A missionary offer ing was the first one received after his arrival.
AUGUST, 1968
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