Calvary Christian Church


Calvary Christian Church is a Pentecostal Christian church affiliated with Australian Christian Churches, the Assemblies of God in Australia. The church was founded in Townsville, Queensland in 1924 by Charles Enticknap and has expanded into other cities in Australia and around the world with campuses in Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Emerald, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gold Coast and East London.

Senior Pastors

In October 2007, James and Samantha Macpherson took leadership of Calvary Christian Church. James, who was previously a journalist, was a leading preacher who spoke in churches all over the world, and was on the national and state executive for Australia Christian Churches. James was also featured in The Bolt Report, where he interviewed Andrew Bolt on the topic of Christianity in a secular society.
In December 2018 James and Samantha divorce and 6 months later, in May 2019, James Macpherson decided to step down as Senior Pastor after over 11 years of service. Dustan and Sarah Bell were invited to take on the leadership of the church and oversee its continued expansion across Australia and abroad.

Campuses

Australia

Townsville

Townsville is the headquarters campus, formerly known as Calvary Temple Assembly of God, founded in 1924, and is the main campus where James Macpherson resides.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast campus was added to Calvary when the Macphersons took on the leadership in of what was known as Kings Christian Church, previously pastored by Steve Penny. The team are led by Pastors Daniel and Elise Pappas.

Cairns

Cairns was added to Calvary when public meetings where started in 2013 by a team sent out from the Townsville Campus. The congregation is led by Michelle and Matthew Fredericks.

Emerald

In 2015, James and Sam Macpherson were asked to take on leadership of Harvest Life Christian Church which was renamed as Calvary Emerald and added to the growing family of Calvary Christian Church. Pastor Chris and Beck Yelland lead the charge in Emerald.

Yeppoon

Also in 2015, Yeppoon Family Christian Church, previously led by Pastors Ernie and Cheryl Peters, was replanted as Calvary Yeppoon when they invited the Macphersons to take on leadership of the church. The church is currently led by Pastors Daniel and Joanna James.

Rockhampton

Calvary Rockhampton was planted in March 2016 and is led by Pastor Mark and Chevaun Tabacaru.

Gold Coast

Pastor Andrew and Christie Kirk planted Calvary Gold Coast in April 2017 at Robina State Primary School and numbers have been steadily growing since then.

Geelong

In 2020, Calvary will establish a campus in Geelong, Victoria.

South Africa

East London

Formerly known as City Life Church, Calvary East London has been running since February 2018 and was initially led by Pastors Dustan & Sarah Bell. Since Dustan and Sarah were invited to become the senior pastors of Calvary Christian Church, Tim and Ayesha Peters have transitioned to lead the team in South Africa.

India

Calvary will also commence establishment of a campus in India in 2022.

Calvary Leadership College

Calvary Leadership College is the bible college of Calvary Christian Church, training future pastors and leaders from churches all over Australia and other countries. At current the leadership college offers diplomas in Church Leadership, Ministry and Business.

Calvary Christian College

Linked with the Townsville Church is Calvary Christian College, a K-12 independent Christian school founded in 1978. It has seen over 700 students pass through its doors since it was founded.