A Testimony of Pastor Chuck Smith's Heart for Youth

Photos courtesy of Larry Enterline & Matt Enterline

Pastor Chuck Smith had a tremendous heart for reaching youth for Jesus, especially through a camp experience. After purchasing an abandoned scouting camp, Chuck opened CC Christian Camp in 1994 to the delight of hundreds of 4th-6th graders. Matt Enterline is second left of Pastor Chuck, wearing the same white camp shirt as his pastor. 

Pastor Chuck Smith wanted the best for children, not to be simply babysat, but rather to learn about Jesus and go through Scriptures verse by verse, just as the adults did in the main service.

Pastor Chuck and youth enjoy the shade inside a teepee at camp. When Junior Camp swelled to 500 campers, teepees were used as temporary sleeping quarters until bear tracks were seen around them and snakes and insects began invading.

As a former camp counselor and youth director, Chuck had a tremendous heart for reaching children and youth for Jesus. Unknown to many, Chuck was a camp director during the summer months in his early years of ministry. He had a heart to minister to kids and youth through the camp experience because he knew how life changing it could be for each of them. As such, he wanted a place where children and youth could come with the purpose of meeting Jesus during the summer.

Many years earlier, he had tried to open a camp at Mount Palomar, in San Diego County, CA, but was never able to. So, when an old scouting camp became available in the San Bernardino Mountains, he leveled it and put his heart and soul into rebuilding it in a way that would instantly enrapture anyone who stepped foot onto its grounds. It opened in the summer of 1994 as Calvary Chapel Christian Camp in Green Valley, CA.

Pastor Chuck at the podium where he would open activities and meals in prayer, teach, and lead worship in his beloved baritone voice. Larry Enterline (sitting, right), past children’s ministry pastor at CC Costa Mesa, worked hand in hand with Chuck as the Junior Camp director for many years.

My dad, Larry Enterline, was the children’s ministry pastor at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (CCCM) from 1989-1999. When Chuck saw the Calvary Chapel Children’s Bible Study Support Curriculum—later becoming Calvary Curriculum (CalvaryCurriculum.com)—he said, “I have always wanted to see children study the Bible this way.” Chuck did not feel that the kids came second and deserved only leftovers.

Larry remembers when Chuck asked to meet with him, telling him that he wanted to fill the camp with hundreds of children. At that time, with nearly 3,000 children attending Costa Mesa’s children’s ministry every week, only a relatively small group of about sixty 4th-6th graders would participate in the summer camps previously held at Camp Valcrest.

A group of excited 4th-6th graders, with counselor Dalton O’Neal (center), enjoy the bus ride to Junior Camp.

Pastor Chuck decided that wasn’t enough. For the very first summer camp at Green Valley, he wanted as many children as possible, which ended up being 400 that year. And this was not just one camp, but two, back-to-back! My dad remembers the shock of that reality. How can we staff enough volunteers and counselors for that number? he thought. But this was one more example of Chuck walking in faith.

Rex De Long, AKA “Uncle Ned,” in the camp amphitheater in 1995 during its second year of operation. Uncle Ned engaged thousands of children through worship songs and puppet ministry at CC Christian Camp through the years, and his Saturday morning radio show on KWVE 107.9 FM had countless listeners.

This was what Chuck believed—that if something is possible for us to do, how do we know it is God doing it? Being a man of faith, Chuck always loved to shoot for the impossible, so that when it happened, we would know it was God who did it. Out of all the camps held over the years—men’s and women’s retreats, youth camps, and college group retreats—it was CCCM’s children’s ministry that christened the property as the first official camp. Pastor Chuck wanted the kids to experience it all first. And so they did. The sneakers of 4th-6th graders made the first imprints in the dirt of those dusty hiking trails; their screams of delight were the first to reverberate off the mountain walls as they cannonballed into the pool after a long day of camp fun. The biggest kid there that summer? Pastor Chuck himself! He loved being there, and the kids loved having him there.

At 16, Matt Enterline (standing in center), pictured here in 1997, oversaw a group of 4th-6th grade boys as a counselor. Matt participated in 26 camps, first as a camper himself, then as counselor and support staff.

Chuck’s beaming smile emitted warmth and love as he shared from the cafeteria’s small stage. Dad remembers having lunch with Chuck as hundreds of noisy kids ate, laughed, and fellowshipped around them. Chuck would quietly finish his food and head back into the kitchen to help clean or start the preparation for the next meal’s food. Chuck had remarked in the planning stages of the camp, “We aren’t going to feed the kids foods they don’t like that end up in the trash. We are going to feed them food they love, like pizza and hotdogs.” He exuded pure joy experiencing camp with the children that first week. He opened the meals in prayer, led the kids in song in the dining hall, told “Grandpa jokes”, recited classic poems and limericks, and taught at some of the chapels.

On the opening night at that first camp, Chuck wanted to teach the children down in the amphitheater. Some wondered how this would come across since most had only ever heard Pastor Chuck teach the adults. How would the children react? Within minutes, he captivated all 400 campers. That night, at the close of Chuck’s message, over 250 children stood up to receive Jesus as their Savior. It was at that point that my dad realized Pastor Chuck could teach anyone. It’s also why Chuck’s oft-said words ring true: “If you want to get involved in ministry, head over to the children’s ministry because if you can learn to teach the children, you can teach anyone.” He was certainly the example in this.

In 1984, the age of 3, Matt was dedicated to the Lord by Pastor Chuck at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. In 2007, he was ordained by Chuck and currently serves as the children’s pastor at CC Temecula, CA, and is the vice president of Calvary Curriculum. Calvary Curriculum was created to provide support for those who spiritually minister to children worldwide—in churches, schools, and home schools.

Two years later, during my first time as a camp counselor at the age of 15, I experienced for myself what it was to see Pastor Chuck in his element at camp. As usual, he was surrounded by children who did not comprehend who was in their midst. The man who ate meals with them at their tables and wore loud Hawaiian shirts was a giant of the faith, and though not perfect, was used by God.

He was a man you could look to and see what it meant to walk with God in intimate fellowship. I still remember that baritone voice singing out and leading 450 campers in choruses of “Hasn't the Lord been good to us, hasn’t the Lord been good? He’s done all the things that He said He would. Hasn’t the Lord been good? So, love God, hate sin, reckon the old man dead. So, love God, hate sin, and by His Spirit be led.” No printed lyrics were needed. The words supernaturally penetrated all who were present. They echo through my heart and mind even now, 27 years later.

Who was Pastor Chuck Smith? He was a man who desired to know God more and lead others into that same experience, no matter their age.

He holds a special place in my heart as the pastor who dedicated me to the Lord in 1984 and then ordained me in 2007. At the age of 13, with my father’s encouragement, I started teaching in the children’s ministry on Sunday nights at CCCM.

A Junior Camp group photo taken at Calvary Chapel Christian Camp at Green Valley Lake located in the San Bernardino National Forest in 1998. Can you find Pastor Chuck Smith?

I very quickly realized that it was what God had called me to do for the rest of my life: I was going to follow in my father’s footsteps as he ministered to children, and to those who minister to children. This calling on my life by God was inspired by what I saw in my dad and the example set by Pastor Chuck.

As I write this, I think on the memories of Chuck that have been seen through so many other pairs of eyes. My experience felt unique, but many who grew up and ministered in the Calvary Chapel movement were also eyewitnesses to the powerful working of the Holy Spirit in and through his life. It’s what I imagine people experienced during the Great Awakening as God worked through George Whitefield or Jonathan Edwards, touching innumerable hearts for eternity.

An enthusiastic group of Junior Camp girls from 1997 with two counselors. That year, the theme was “Grace Changes Everything”—based off Pastor Chuck’s popular book, Why Grace Changes Everything, rewritten for kids.

It all started with one man sold out for Jesus. One man desiring to know God more. One man who wanted to be used by God. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6b, KJV). Chuck understood better than anyone that he was just to be the vessel, poured out completely to allow God to fill him and work through him. Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar said, “Revivals begin with God’s own people; when the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervor and compassion, and zeal, new light and life, and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones.”

The moving of the Spirit starts when the heart of one person is captured by God and given entirely to Him. Will you be that person? Pastor Chuck was.

The first building broke ground in 1991 and included a large cafeteria, kitchen, and small stage for indoor worship and teaching. Many opportunities for recreation were built into the camp, providing children and adults hours of physical activity, team building, and fun.

The first boys’ cabin—Pastor Chuck prayerfully sought God’s direction and provision in building a setting where youth would learn the Word of God both through verse-by-verse teaching and through His creation surrounding them.

Built last, the Chapel was a sanctuary to thousands and thousands of youth who learned the Gospel through the love and obedience of Chuck and many others who served alongside in support of his vision.

Learn more about the Enterlines’ children’s ministry at CalvaryCurriculum.com

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