What is The Brook?

Calvary, The Brook, is affiliated with the Calvary Chapel movement, which began with Pastor Chuck Smith during the hippy movement of the 70's. There are now over 1000 Calvary Chapels worldwide. What sets apart a Calvary Chapel from most mainline denominational churches are: 1) a commitment to the inerrancy of the Bible; and 2) a steadfast devotion to the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). We do these by teaching through the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, as well as recognizing the present-day working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. For more information on The Calvary Chapel movement, go to www.calvarychapel.org.

Our Mission

Life Now, Life Eternal!

We focus on introducing people to Jesus Christ by clearly and regularly presenting the gospel message at all of our services and events. As people respond to the gospel through faith in Jesus Christ, they inherit Life Eternal (John 3:16).

We also teach and equip believers how to experience Life now! As Jesus promised in John 10:10, I have come that they might have life and that abundantly! We accomplish this through focusing on teaching and equipping all believers to discover and use their spiritual gifts and to be actively involved in serving in the church, in their community and anywhere God may send them! At the Brook, our passion has been to connect with our community and God has opened the door for us to have a unique relationship with our city and community leaders by participating together in various events and outreaches.

Calvary, the Brook, as well as other churches, is a welcomed and important part of Grand Terrace. A city's strength can be measured by the strength of its faith-based community.”

- Mayor Maryetta Ferré (Mayor, City of Grand Terrace)

Our History

The Brook started as a community Bible study in 2001, meeting at Roblee's Carpet Store in Grand Terrace with just a few families, mostly from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside. The Bible study moved into Colton for a short time and met at Cooley Ranch Elementary. Eventually, we moved back into Grand Terrace and met at the Lion's Community Center on Sunday evenings.

Many churches that started in Grand Terrace over the years eventually moved out into surrounding cities, but we believed God was calling us to stay, and we saw the need for a community church ministering to the needs of the people in this area! As the Lord continued to work and the influence of this fellowship of believers grew, it became obvious that this was no longer just a Bible study; it had blossomed into a church.

The first official Sunday morning church service was held on April 4th, 2004, at the Lion's Community Center with 140 adults in attendance. Calvary, the Brook, was officially incorporated as a church in April, 2004, and was officially affiliated as a Calvary Chapel in May, 2005. The Lord continues to be faithful in opening doors that allow us to freely be salt and light in the city and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of families throughout the Inland Empire.

Our Future

God has provided a 4.6 acre parcel of land just off the corner of Michigan and Main Street, right across the street from the new Grand Terrace High School on Main Street. Our permits have been approved the land has been graded. However, in this tough economy, we are still waiting to secure some financing for the project. We do not expect it too be long before we can get started.

The future plan is to build a sanctuary with Children's Ministry classrooms, offices space, parking lot, etc. Your prayers and support and greatly appreciated!

Our Beliefs - Statement of Faith

WE BELIEVE that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the, Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all and governs all.

Therefore, our teaching, worship, and ministry recognizes, celebrates, and supports God as Father, Son, and Spirit. This is why we talk about God, sing to God; and look to God in our services.

WE BELIEVE that the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.

Therefore, we systematically teach through the Word of God, “For precept [must be] upon preceptÉ[and] line upon lineÉ” (Isaiah 28:10a). This is why we study the Bible.

WE BELIEVE in GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men; that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we see prayer as not only essential to a personal relationship with God; it is part of everything we do as a church. This is why we pray.

WE BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teaching, His atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal, visible return to earth.

Therefore, we teach that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12); and we look forward to His soon return. This is why we preach Jesus to all men.

WE BELIEVE in the HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all the Biblical gifts of the Spirit.

Therefore, we look to the Spirit for His help and guidance, and we encourage the use of His gifts so that the Body may be edified. This is why we talk about the person, work, and gifts of the Spirit.

WE BELIEVE that all men are sinners by nature and choice and, therefore, under condemnation, that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit, those who repent of their sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord; that Jesus Christ baptizes and empowers the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service.

Therefore, we urgently proclaim the need for all men to repent, believe, and seek the Holy Spirit for empowerment. This is why we share the message of the gospel, and invite people to be filled with the Spirit.

WE BELIEVE in the universal church, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons, are members.

Therefore, we teach the Church is not a building, but a world-wide body of believers with Jesus as its head. This is why we encourage everyone to think of the Church as family and serve in the church as unto Christ.

WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church; Baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper, which is open to all believers, yet we do not consider them necessary for our salvation.

Therefore, we regularly offer these ordinances to believers. This is why we baptize in water and take communion.

WE BELIEVE also in the empowering of the Holy Spirit for the ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit or healing.

Therefore, since each is given a gift (Ephesians 4:11) and “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) we encourage their use. This is why we ask members to discover their spiritual gifts.

WE BELIEVE in the personal, visible RETURN OF CHRIST to earth, the establishment of His Kingdom, the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous; and the endless suffering of the wicked.

Therefore, we look forward to Christ's return, the reward of the righteous; and the judgment of the wicked. This is why we preach that Jesus is coming again.

Knowing God

We believe the most important first step that every person must take to follow God is to have a personal encounter with God through the powerful message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is the Gospel? It's the truth that we are all sinners in need of a savior, that we have all broken his commands and offended a holy God, and that our sins have separated us from Him. But since God loved us and sought to save us, He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to walk this earth, live a sinless life, and die a sinner's death!

He came to pay the price for our sins and to redeem us back to God. He came to bridge the gap between a holy God by removing our sins. However, we must believe. We must receive. We must agree with God that we are sinners, be willing to turn from our sins, choose to believe in Christ, and receive Him into our lives personally as our Lord and Savior. The Bible says that when we do that, we will be born again and have the hope and certainty of heaven!

Do you have that hope? If not, you can pray this prayer today: “Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive me of my sin. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me and paying the price for my sins. Now I want to turn from my sins and ask that You come into my life right now and be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Please let as know if you've asked Christ into your life! We would love the honor of congratulating you in your decision for Christ and welcoming you into your new family, the family of God. We would also love to help you grow in your new life as a follower of Christ. Call us any time at (909) 424-0010.