Former mega-church pastor Knute Larson joins staff
Calvary Church has hired Knute Larson as a part-time teaching pastor. Larson will share Sunday morning teaching responsibilities with senior pastor F. Lionel Young. For long-time Calvary attendees, Larson is a familiar face. He has visited the church while mentoring Young and served as a guest speaker during the senior pastor’s absences. His first Sunday in the pulpit as a teaching pastor is May 19.
“Calvary is one of the churches that is really making a difference and doing so with high motives,” Larson said. “I’m glad to have a teaching and coaching role with them.” Since retiring as senior pastor of The Chapel in Akron, OH, in 2009, Larson has coached pastors and churches, including Calvary, on the value and methodology of expository preaching, how to organize church leadership, and how to influence the local community. During his tenure in Akron, Mayor Don Plusquellic called Larson a “minister for the city” because of his active role in addressing social issues, particularly racial reconciliation.
Larson has written several books, including You Decide: Five Beliefs That Changed My Life, The Great Human Race, and two Bible commentaries. He studied at Grace College and Seminary and earned a D. Min. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is an adjunct instructor at both institutions, as well as for Moody Theological Seminary.
Calvary Church, 1325 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, is an independent Bible church committed to spreading the word about Jesus Christ throughout Northwest Indiana and the world. Calvary offers a contemporary worship experience and relevant expository preaching to nearly 1200 worshippers. For more information, visit www.calvaryweb.net.