Our Vision: To make whole followers of Jesus Christ by teaching through the whole Bible
We believe this is God’s vision for His church. We want to be people who are devoted to worshiping Jesus, people who love each other deeply, and people who help others grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus. We desire to equip you by our example and by simply teaching through the Bible, simply from Genesis to Revelation. “I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance…” Acts 20:32
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The Mission & Our Purpose
Jesus said to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
We want to be obedient to Jesus and help you tell others about the good news of forgiveness of sins through Jesus, help others grow closer to Jesus, and be equipped in the community. We do that by:
1. Win – Share the gospel and love people to Jesus
2. Disciple – Live and teach the Bible to those saved in Jesus
3. Send – Equip followers of Jesus to go and minister to others for Jesus
It’s all about Jesus! Not about religion, but a personal relationship with God and life in His Kingdom. We simply love God and love people!
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The Model & Our Culture
The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42, 47
We want to continue in the blessings the Lord has given to His church, and we don’t come as consumers, but as servants. We do this by:
1. Doctrine: We love to learn from the Bible, because all of God’s Word is living and powerful. We carve out time to be alone for Bible reading and make time to join with others to study His Word. The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for us. The Word of God is the foundation of what we believe, and it equips us (Eph. 4:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Acts 20:27).
“Simply teaching the Bible Simply”. You can’t know how to apply the Bible to life, unless you understand what the Bible really says, and this is why we teach through the Bible in an expository fashion, verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book and always in context (Neh. 8:8; Acts 20:27; Heb. 4:12).
2. Fellowship (koinōnia): We love spending time together and seek a bond that surpasses that of our natural families, which is only possible because of our common fellowship with Jesus (Matt. 12:46, Luke 14:26). As a spiritual family, we care for each other, do life together, and encourage one another because we are united in the grace of God (Heb. 10:24-25, 1 Cor. 12:12-27, 1 Peter 4:10).
3. Breaking of Bread: We love getting to know each other better over a meal and regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:46, 1 Cor. 11:23-26). We can’t stop thanking God for His mercy and partake in communion together, which is not an obligation we try to squeeze in, but the proclamation of the sacrifice of Jesus’ on the cross for our sins and the celebration of His resurrection.
4. Prayer: We make time to be alone in prayer, and make time to join with others to pray. We love to pray to God, and as we do, it changes us to trust Him even more. We pray for each other as well, because it is the ultimate weapon we have for the spiritual warfare that we face daily (Eph. 6:10-20, 1 Thes. 5:16-18).
This is the pattern that allows for us to be a group devoted to God, and a fellowship that desires to please God.
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Our Beliefs & Philosophy
Calvary Chapel of Fergus Falls has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know God and be more like Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ. We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves Christians.
We are a non-denominational, Bible-believing church established to worship, glorify, and share the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We encourage you to review our Statement of Faith & Philosophy of Ministry, read the Calvary Chapel Distinctives, and learn more about the history of the Calvary Chapel movement, watch “A Venture of Faith” documentary or “Calvary Distinctives” overview, and check out the movie “Jesus Revolution” which shares the start of Calvary Chapel.
We are affiliated with the Calvary Chapel Association (CCA), and agree with the Defending Inerrancy initiative and affirm the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (CSBI). (The role of CCA is simply to affiliate churches, provide guidance and encouragement, and offer opportunities for fellowship.)
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Our Leadership & Spiritual Family
The Bible says that Jesus is the “head” of the church. So we think Jesus should be in charge (Colossians 1:17-18; Ephesians 5:22-25; 1 Peter 5:3-5; Matthew 16:18). We have a Church Leadership Team of humble men who get together with our Pastor regularly to pray and seek the Lord together. This spiritual board of elders help care for the spiritual and counseling needs of the body, and they are men of integrity who wait until the Lord gives clear direction and with a consensus, move forward as God leads. Our Leadership Team contains men who are appointed by Pastor Tim who assist and are accountable to one another. We encourage you to review our Leadership Values.
There are those who consider Calvary Chapel as ‘their church family’ and it’s such a joy to fellowship together. Ephesians 4:12 tells us that the ministry of the church leaders is to equip of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. We each have a place in the body of Christ, and we invite you to join us as we study God’s Word together, honor God together through worship, find accountability, find support in trials, gain opportunities for service, and make disciples.
Calvary Chapel in general does not have a formalized system of church membership. Calling a Calvary Chapel one’s church usually means regularly attending church gatherings and becoming involved in fellowship with other “members” of the church. We are not against formal membership yet view those actively serving and fellowshipping a current member of our local church. This allows us to walk through church discipline from Scripture and help people get back on track in their relationship with God.
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Church Leadership Team: Pastor Tim Molter, Elder Steven Ness, Elder Jesse Tomford, Elder Carey Carpenter, and Fred Hanson
Children’s Ministry Director: Anna Molter
Worship Ministry Leader: Teresa Carpenter
Men’s Ministry Leader: Tim Molter
Women’s Ministry Leader: Lisa Fred
Media Ministry Leader: Steven Ness
Church Leadership Team Qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:6-9):
This doesn’t mean elders are perfect, as none of us are, even pastors. But it does mean these men have a good reputation and a heart to serve the local church. At Calvary Chapel, we do not make elders. We believe God calls, and we simply ratify what we see, and appoint them.
CALLING – Acts 20:28
The Holy Spirit is the one who calls and empowers leaders within the church (Acts 6:3). These men are called by God to be a servant-leader in the context of this local church and are a committed Christian who loves Jesus Christ, and are on the same page with our Beliefs and Philosophy. We aren’t big on titles and aren’t called to be celebrities but servants (Matthew 23:11). These men are called, and there are both internal and external indicators of faithfulness and fruitfulness in the gospel (Acts 6:2-4).
CHARACTER – 1 Timothy 3:8-13
When God gives gifts, they are not toys to play with but tools to work with. Being humble (1 Peter 5:6) and teachable (Proverbs 19:20) are keystone character traits, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). These men meet the qualifications of an elder set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. (We also follow the Billy Graham rule to avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion of doing something considered morally objectionable)
COMPETENCY – 2 Timothy 2:2
These men are reliable, trustworthy, faithful, and willing to pray and serve others (1 Peter 5:1-4, James 5:14). The elders watch out for the church in humility, they help to settle disputes and help make decisions. Elders recognize the church fellowship is entrusted to them by God to serve and shepherd the flock (Exodus 17:8-16, Exodus 18). And these men have a burning desire to please God first and foremost (Ephesians 6:7), and in time have produced fruit through the validation of serving others (John 13:34-35), and have good family lives whose spouse is supportive (Ephesians 5).
Simply put, the elders are called, have good and godly character, and show competency in serving the Lord. They are peacemakers, prayer warriors, servants, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers.
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Our Sr. Pastor & Bible Teacher
Anna Molter: E-mail
Timothy “Tim” Molter is the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel of Fergus Falls and his Bible studies and teaching messages reflect his dedication to, and love of the Word of God. His every effort is directed to glorifying our Lord and leading all who would hear to the Mercy and Grace of God.
Tim and his wife Anna have three sons, and are also foster parents. He also enjoys hiking and camping with family, reading books, running, and is excited to see God transforming lives. To God be all the glory!
“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24
Pastor Molter has studied at the Blue Letter Bible Institute, the Harold John Ockenga Institute with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and at Calvary Chapel Chico under the tutelage of Pastor Sam Allen, where he served for many years in various ministries. After gaining experience there, he heard God call him to move back to his birthplace of Fergus Falls to shepherd the church the Lord is establishing.
Pastor Molter also served with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as a Church Coordinator and as an online counselor and discipleship coach, helping others find peace with God and grow in the love and knowledge of Christ. He is an Eagle Scout and Troop Chairman for Trail Life USA, was a Board Member with School of Choice a Christian Homeschool Co-op, a Volunteer Coach at the YMCA, and has served with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) at M-State Fergus Falls.
New Church Building at 1500 S Cascade St – Learn more at: CCFergusFalls.com/church-building-update/
How we started
NOTE: We have been informed that the newspaper has to follow the APA Formatting and Style Guide. We know the Bible only refers to one person being Reverend and that’s God.
“He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and Reverend is His name” Psalm 111:9 KJV
A Bit of History:
Calvary Chapel is an association of evangelical churches, and has a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. Beginning in 1965 in Southern California, this fellowship of churches grew out of Chuck Smith’s Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California and there are now about 2000 Calvary Chapels around the world. Calvary Chapel influenced the Bible verses put on the bottom of the In-N-Out food wrappers and trays, and started the modern Contemporary Christian Music with Maranatha Music in 1971, and today has many Musicians/Worship Bands such as Jeremy Camp, P.O.D., Switchfoot, Phil Wickham and more. Check out the movie called Jesus Revolution which shares the start of Calvary Chapel at: https://jesusrevolution.movie