Father of 'Jesus People' suffers minor stroke

Pastor Chuck Smith

The pastor who became the father of the "Jesus People" movement in Southern California is recuperating in a local hospital after reportedly suffering a minor stroke.

Pastor Chuck Smith, 82, is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. According to a report from Assist News Service, Brian Brodersen, who is both associate pastor at the church and is Smith's son-in-law, said he visited Smith in the hospital over the weekend and "he is doing well."

He said, "Pastor Chuck suffered a minor stroke at his home and a medical person staying there called 911 and he was taken to the hospital."

Brodersen is married to Cheryl, daughter of Chuck and Kay Smith.

According to Greg Laurie, who is senior pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and a WND columnist, Smith's doctors expect a full recovery.

"Let's remember this beloved man of God in prayer, that the Lord would touch, bless and heal him," he told Assist.

"Pastor Chuck Smith is strong and will recover from this physical ailment. It is difficult to see someone you love be in the hospital," Mike MacIntosh, senior pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego, told Assist.

MacIntosh was one of the early converts during the "Jesus People" days.

Smith rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s when he became a "father' to thousands of hippies who were drawn to the Christianity at the "Big Tent" at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa.

The move contributed significantly to the worship music heard in churches around the globe today, as well as contemporary Christian music themes. The hippies began writing their songs and auditioning them before "Pastor Chuck."

Numerous "Jesus People" bands were born of the movement, including Maranatha! Music.

Smith taught the youth the Bible with a verse-by-verse course through the Scriptures, and some of the students have gone on to lead some of the nation's biggest churches.

Smith's Costa Mesa church that was begun with only about two dozen people today draws more than 20,000 weekly.

He's seen the launch of ministries including The Word for Today, a publishing and radio ministry; Calvary Distribution, a book outreach; and Calvary Chapel Outreach Fellowship, an organization of 1,500 local Calvary Chapels.

He is a noted speaker routinely addressing prophecy conferences and has authored about two dozen books.