Mission Statement: To Know God and make Him known at home and abroad.

Calvary Baptist Church (CBC) is a local congregation of believers baptized by immersion and called by God into fellowship with his Son in accord with the fundamental truths of the whole Word of God. CBC does not claim to be Traditional, Contemporary, or Blended in our worship approach. Simply put, our worship is Christ-centered through honoring God in worship and song, expository preaching, personal and corporate prayer, witnessing in word and deed, and biblical fellowship.

CBC adheres to the governing principle of equality for all, vested in and executed through the body of believers composing its membership. We believe the local church, as is CBC, has the right to independent self-governing, free from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations, and that the ultimate authority is Christ. Therefore, CBC is subject to the control of no other ecclesiastical body of any kind, either inside or outside of the church. However, we believe it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other in contending for the faith and for the furtherance of the Gospel, but that every church is the sole and only judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. CBC Leadership within said governing principles is subject to the qualifications, claims, and duties clearly defined in the Scriptures (I Timothy and Titus) and adhered to in the CBC Bylaws.

In all matters of CBC membership, of policy, of governing principles, of discipline, and of benevolence, the will of the local church is final. CBC members are associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel. We observe the ordinances of Christ, are governed by His laws, and exercise the gifts, rights and privileges vested in them by His Word. 

On Resurrection Sunday, April 1, 1945 the first church service was held. It consisted of thirty-three Christians who had left Southside Baptist, a Southern Baptist church with the intent of forming an independent fellowship in order to enable them to support independent missions and missionaries. From the beginning missions was always a strong emphasis. Even in the very early years the church determined that 25% of its budget would go toward missions. Their desire was to be independent of man and dependent upon God. The church leadership met first on April 4, 1945 for the purpose of forming the church. The church originally met at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Farmer in Bradenton and was called Maranatha. Rev. Wendell Phillips presided, T.J. Green was elected Secretary, Edgar Jones, Treasurer. A committee was formed with E.L. Pope, D.N. Thompson and George Henderson to prepare Articles of Faith, Constitution and By-laws. The final drafts were submitted and passed on May 13, 1945.

At the April 13, 1945 business meeting the name Calvary Baptist Church was chosen and approved. 

Vision Statement: To make and equip biblical disciples (2 Tim 2:2), who faithfully worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:22-24).

CBC exists to glorify and worship God and to provide a fellowship for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who are of like “precious faith,” who subscribe to the authoritative and verbally inspired Word of God. As followers/disciples of Jesus Christ, we dedicate ourselves to obey the teachings of the Word of God, to grow in the knowledge of the Lord, to live godly lives, and equip others to do likewise.

The vision of CBC is committed to the Great Commission, recorded in Scripture (Matthew 28:18-20), to promote the spread of the gospel through evangelistic, missionary, and educational ministries. CBC worship, which is foundational to this commitment, is void of self, focusing on an “Audience of One”: transformative praise and glorification to God alone. Thus, in fulfilling our mission and vision, the expression of worship at CBC is clear: (1) honoring God in worship and song; (2) expository preaching and teaching of Holy Scripture to all who have ears to hear; (3) faithful prayers of the righteous; (4) witnessing to the lost at home and abroad, and (5) fellowship one with another, that embodies the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). 

What does this mean for you? Most importantly, you're always welcome at Calvary Baptist Church. We're saving a seat for you. Wherever you're at in your faith journey, you'll always be welcome at Calvary.

Beyond that, if you're ready to plan your first visit, click here. If you want to learn more about our beliefs as a church, click here. Or if you'd simply like to get in touch with a person on our lead team directly, click the button below.