Pursuing Life

Chris Torchia recently joined the Calvary Church staff in the role of Pastoral Counseling Associate. He comes to us with over 8 years of counseling experience, as well as some other pretty unique areas of ministry background! Today, Chris is sharing his story of how he was introduced to Jesus as a high school student, after skipping school to skateboard behind a church building. During such a formative time, the Lord captivated Chris’ heart in ways that would shape the rest of his life.

To schedule an appointment with Chris, contact Judi Brady at 717-560-2341 x278 or [email protected].

Growing up in a single-parent home without a father, Zach Rodgers marks most of his early life as being defined by fatherlessness. He believed God was non-existent until a friend invited him to attend a local youth group, and as a teenager he was introduced to Jesus for the first time. In the years to follow, it was the work of God through others that brought Zach to a saving faith in Christ, which led to growth that has brought him to where he is today.

Studying Scripture has deeply impacted the way Bethany Jensen lives her life. After coming to saving faith in Just as a young adult, her hunger for the Word of God increased, and she started digging deeper into Scripture. Her story is full of wisdom about why to study the Bible, how to study the Bible, and why the importance of community and accountability is so important.

As a young boy growing up in a dysfunctional home, Jim Lines knew nothing about Jesus. It wasn’t until he met a loving, middle-aged couple, who were compassionate enough to take him under their wings and take him to church, that Jim truly understood the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Today, Jim shares with us his testimony and invites us to ask ourselves how Christ’s love compels us to live intentionally in pursuit of Him.

To read more of Jim’s testimony, his book, Compelled By Love: A Story of Grace and Love, can be purchased here.

John Frye, Calvary’s Pastor of Worship & Care, is joining us today to tell his story of how Jesus brought him from death to life, and how his journey into music ministry began! Over the last 30 years, John’s role at Calvary has shifted, but his influence remains significant as he continues to pour into the lives of people and seeks to make music for the glory of God.

Dennis Lien began attending Calvary Church as a middle school student, and now, as a college student, he serves both in facilities and in Student Ministries. God pursued Dennis' heart as a child, and worked in his life through the intentionality of others to guide him to a saving faith in Jesus. What an encouragement for us to catch a glimpse of the work that God is doing in the lives of students and young adults!

Michael & Nicole Gilchrist join us today to tell their story of how God led them to pursue church planting in New Hampshire. Michael has been on staff at Calvary for the last 13 years, and currently serves as Pastor of Community Impact, and we are excited that we get to be a part of his transition from Global Ministries staff to Global Partner. God has worked in big ways to bring Michael & Nicole to this point in their lives and in their family, and He continues to open doors for them as they seek to live out the Great Commission.

The fingerprints of our staff are all over the ministry of Calvary Church – and some you may recognize more than others! But whether their work is front and center or behind the scenes, our hope for this series is that you’ll get to know our staff and hear stories of God at work that you may not have the opportunity to hear otherwise!  Today we are introducing you to our video content creator, Justin Gathright. Justin is one of our newer staff members, but his work has already made such an impact in the life and ministry of Calvary Church. We think you’re going to enjoy getting to know him!

Valerie Stoltzfus has been a faithful attender of Calvary Church for over 40 years! She has learned the value of prayer through many years of serious health complications, and though the road has not been easy, God has always been faithful. Today she is sharing her story with us of how she came to believe every chapter is a gift and why it’s so important to pray in community.

Adoption is a thread that has been woven all throughout Debbie & John Roche’s story. As they prayed for a family, God answered by taking them on a journey not once, but three times, to adopt from China. That journey was not always smooth sailing, but God continued to impress upon their hearts a burden to care for orphans, and they continued to seek His leading. Today, Debbie and John share just part of their story, and give us a glimpse into the ways that God continued to show up and answer their prayers in ways they could have never imagined!