Calvary Baptist Church is a group of everyday people with everyday joys and sorrows. At some point
in our lives, the members of Calvary each came to the realization that the sin in our lives separated us
from God, and we had no hope of ever being in His presence. But then we met Jesus. Through His
sacrifice and payment for our sins, we were born again and are now called the children of God. Now we
have banded together to follow our Lord and to be His hands and feet on this earth. Our primary goals
are to reach other people with the Good News of Christ, to help each other to grow in our personal
relationships with Jesus, to connect meaningfully with other Christians, to serve one another and our
community, and to devote ourselves to the worship of our awesome Lord and Savior!
in our lives, the members of Calvary each came to the realization that the sin in our lives separated us
from God, and we had no hope of ever being in His presence. But then we met Jesus. Through His
sacrifice and payment for our sins, we were born again and are now called the children of God. Now we
have banded together to follow our Lord and to be His hands and feet on this earth. Our primary goals
are to reach other people with the Good News of Christ, to help each other to grow in our personal
relationships with Jesus, to connect meaningfully with other Christians, to serve one another and our
community, and to devote ourselves to the worship of our awesome Lord and Savior!
About Us
Our Beliefs
On March 24, 1957, the members of Calvary Baptist Mission met for their first service. John R. Braley
prayed the first opening prayer, and Bro. B.A. Nolan preached the sermon that day. A month later, the
first revival services were held, and two months later, the first baptismal services were held. The Lord
blessed Calvary, and on May 17, 1957, the mission organized into a New Testament Church with fifteen
charter members, under sponsorship of Montebello Baptist Church of Natchez.
In 1958, Calvary purchased 1 ½ lots on the corner of Murray Drive & Charles Street, where our first
building was constructed. At the time it housed an auditorium and 11 classrooms. They planned to use
this sanctuary for five years. Soon afterward, however, the church was able to purchase 1 ½ adjacent lots,
and on May 17, 1959, Calvary broke ground on the new sanctuary, in conjunction with the celebration of
the church’s 2nd anniversary. In April of 1960, Calvary held the first services in the new auditorium, with
162 present in Sunday School that day.
In the summer of 1961, Calvary held Vacation Bible School. One hundred eighty-two students enrolled,
and the average daily attendance was 142. Two people were saved during VBS, and one was baptized.
In August of 1961, Calvary petitioned for membership in the Mt. Calvary Association, which is affiliated
with the Baptist Missionary Association of Louisiana.
Early on, Calvary showed a mission-minded spirit. In March of 1962, the church held a Missions Rally.
In October 1962, the church voted to increase the missions budget to 10% of regular offerings. In
December of that year, Calvary voted to extend an arm to the mission of W.R. Biddle in Ferriday. Calvary
allowed this mission to use 5 songbooks, 30 chairs, and 1 lectern. Later that property was purchased by
the Mt. Calvary Association and Calvary was asked to oversee it.
In addition to supporting missions outreach through giving to BMAA works, Calvary has also sponsored
local outreach programs. Since 1984, Calvary has been broadcasting its Sunday worship service over the
radio. In 1985, the Jail Ministry was added to the budget with John Bandy as Jail Minister, a capacity in
which he still serves. In 1996, the church began the AWANA program, including running church buses to
pick up neighborhood children. For several years, beginning in 2000, Calvary successfully utilized the
FAITH program as a means of evangelism and outreach, including having all-youth teams. There have also
been various members who have led in nursing home ministries sponsored by the church.
Over the years, Calvary’s members have shown themselves to be dedicated workers in the Lord’s
service. Many have served in their positions for decades. Nell Braley and Sue Scott served as Sunday
School secretaries for over 25 years. Bro. Hank Howington served by updating the weekly sign for over
16 years. Mrs. Virginia Yourdon served as Church secretary for 24 years. Bro. R.V. Mize served as Song
Leader for over 30 years. Many others have also shown their dedication to the Lord by their service, and
for this we are grateful.
Calvary has long shown dedication to providing for her youth. In 1979, the church negotiated use of a
portable building to be used as a youth center. During that time, the church had guidelines for youth
activities and also staffed the center with adult volunteers. The church has also generously provided for
youth camps, conferences, and missions trips for the youth. Over the years, Calvary has called good men
to serve as youth pastors, including Richard Hackler (called in 1975), Jerry Bell (1977), Kenneth Thornton
(1980), Marty Wright (1986), Kelly Tingle (1990), Kevin Guthrie (1995), and Aaron “Jack” Middleton
(2003). The younger youth of Calvary have been blessed to have Children’s Church and other activities,
led by a dedicated volunteer staff.
Calvary has always been blessed with musical talent. To showcase this talent, Calvary has sponsored a
5th Sunday night Singing since 1983. On the 5th Sunday night, both CGM class time and worship time are
opened up for singing, poetry, and instrumentals.
Through the years, Calvary has taken a strong stand on issues. In 1990, the church issued a statement
pronouncing her stand against gambling, and re-affirmed this statement in 1992. In 1994, the church voted
on a no-tobacco use policy on church grounds. Calvary has also been well-known through the years for
her firmness to stand on fundamental Bible doctrines. Because of her firm Biblical foundation, Calvary has
sent out many who would become preachers, missionaries, and chaplains. Bro. W.D. Smith, a charter
member, was one of the first preachers sent forth from Calvary. More recently, Calvary has sent out Bro.
Bob Applegate as Bolivian missionary from 1997-2001. Chaplains sent out from Calvary have included Bro.
John Bandy and Mark Richardson as prison chaplains, Bro. Kenneth Thornton as Air Force chaplain, and
Bro. Kevin Guthrie as Army chaplain.
The Lord has blessed His church through the years, and the members of Calvary still look to Him to
lead us into future blessings. We are His tools for His work in the local community. With the Lord’s
blessings, and a faithful membership, the best years are yet ahead!
prayed the first opening prayer, and Bro. B.A. Nolan preached the sermon that day. A month later, the
first revival services were held, and two months later, the first baptismal services were held. The Lord
blessed Calvary, and on May 17, 1957, the mission organized into a New Testament Church with fifteen
charter members, under sponsorship of Montebello Baptist Church of Natchez.
In 1958, Calvary purchased 1 ½ lots on the corner of Murray Drive & Charles Street, where our first
building was constructed. At the time it housed an auditorium and 11 classrooms. They planned to use
this sanctuary for five years. Soon afterward, however, the church was able to purchase 1 ½ adjacent lots,
and on May 17, 1959, Calvary broke ground on the new sanctuary, in conjunction with the celebration of
the church’s 2nd anniversary. In April of 1960, Calvary held the first services in the new auditorium, with
162 present in Sunday School that day.
In the summer of 1961, Calvary held Vacation Bible School. One hundred eighty-two students enrolled,
and the average daily attendance was 142. Two people were saved during VBS, and one was baptized.
In August of 1961, Calvary petitioned for membership in the Mt. Calvary Association, which is affiliated
with the Baptist Missionary Association of Louisiana.
Early on, Calvary showed a mission-minded spirit. In March of 1962, the church held a Missions Rally.
In October 1962, the church voted to increase the missions budget to 10% of regular offerings. In
December of that year, Calvary voted to extend an arm to the mission of W.R. Biddle in Ferriday. Calvary
allowed this mission to use 5 songbooks, 30 chairs, and 1 lectern. Later that property was purchased by
the Mt. Calvary Association and Calvary was asked to oversee it.
In addition to supporting missions outreach through giving to BMAA works, Calvary has also sponsored
local outreach programs. Since 1984, Calvary has been broadcasting its Sunday worship service over the
radio. In 1985, the Jail Ministry was added to the budget with John Bandy as Jail Minister, a capacity in
which he still serves. In 1996, the church began the AWANA program, including running church buses to
pick up neighborhood children. For several years, beginning in 2000, Calvary successfully utilized the
FAITH program as a means of evangelism and outreach, including having all-youth teams. There have also
been various members who have led in nursing home ministries sponsored by the church.
Over the years, Calvary’s members have shown themselves to be dedicated workers in the Lord’s
service. Many have served in their positions for decades. Nell Braley and Sue Scott served as Sunday
School secretaries for over 25 years. Bro. Hank Howington served by updating the weekly sign for over
16 years. Mrs. Virginia Yourdon served as Church secretary for 24 years. Bro. R.V. Mize served as Song
Leader for over 30 years. Many others have also shown their dedication to the Lord by their service, and
for this we are grateful.
Calvary has long shown dedication to providing for her youth. In 1979, the church negotiated use of a
portable building to be used as a youth center. During that time, the church had guidelines for youth
activities and also staffed the center with adult volunteers. The church has also generously provided for
youth camps, conferences, and missions trips for the youth. Over the years, Calvary has called good men
to serve as youth pastors, including Richard Hackler (called in 1975), Jerry Bell (1977), Kenneth Thornton
(1980), Marty Wright (1986), Kelly Tingle (1990), Kevin Guthrie (1995), and Aaron “Jack” Middleton
(2003). The younger youth of Calvary have been blessed to have Children’s Church and other activities,
led by a dedicated volunteer staff.
Calvary has always been blessed with musical talent. To showcase this talent, Calvary has sponsored a
5th Sunday night Singing since 1983. On the 5th Sunday night, both CGM class time and worship time are
opened up for singing, poetry, and instrumentals.
Through the years, Calvary has taken a strong stand on issues. In 1990, the church issued a statement
pronouncing her stand against gambling, and re-affirmed this statement in 1992. In 1994, the church voted
on a no-tobacco use policy on church grounds. Calvary has also been well-known through the years for
her firmness to stand on fundamental Bible doctrines. Because of her firm Biblical foundation, Calvary has
sent out many who would become preachers, missionaries, and chaplains. Bro. W.D. Smith, a charter
member, was one of the first preachers sent forth from Calvary. More recently, Calvary has sent out Bro.
Bob Applegate as Bolivian missionary from 1997-2001. Chaplains sent out from Calvary have included Bro.
John Bandy and Mark Richardson as prison chaplains, Bro. Kenneth Thornton as Air Force chaplain, and
Bro. Kevin Guthrie as Army chaplain.
The Lord has blessed His church through the years, and the members of Calvary still look to Him to
lead us into future blessings. We are His tools for His work in the local community. With the Lord’s
blessings, and a faithful membership, the best years are yet ahead!
- The Bible is the perfect and totally inspired Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16,17)
- God is the infinite, eternal, unchangeable creator and sustainer of all things who is revealed to us by
the Trinity. (Colossians 1:16-17; Matthew 28:19) - The creation of all things was accomplished by God in six days. (Genesis 1:31).
- Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary; hence he is the God-Man. (Matthew 1:20)
- Man is totally depraved (corrupt and wicked) because of inherited sin. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
- Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
- The believer is eternally secure and will never lose the eternal life begun by regeneration.
(John 10:27-30) - The second coming of Christ to this earth will be personal, bodily, and will happen before the period
of tribulation. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) - Heaven and Hell are literal places of eternal abode. Heaven is for the saved, and Hell is for the lost.
(Luke 16:19-31) - The church is a visible assembly of baptized believers who are covenanted together for the purpose
of carrying out the Great Commission. The two ordinances of the church are baptism by immersion
and the Lord’s Supper. (Ephesians 3:21)
Calvary Baptist Church
Vidalia, Louisiana
Vidalia, Louisiana
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Who We Are
Our History
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