The congregation at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, were stunned last Sunday when Pastor Chuck Smith, its senior pastor, announced during his Sunday morning services that he has lung cancer and will have a biopsy on Tuesday and surgery the following week.

Chuck Smith, now in his eighties and the father of the Jesus People Revolution in Southern California, said that he has never smoked in his life.

Pastor Chuck Smith, 82, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, and the father of the “Jesus People� phenomenon in Southern California, has suffered a “minor stroke� and is in a local hospital.

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California, said on his blog “Last night, Pastor Chuck Smith was taken to the hospital and had what was described by his doctor as a ‘mini-stroke.’ His doctor expects him to make a full recovery.�

Amid accusations over sex, money and control, Pastor Chuck Smith is about to surrender much of the evangelical radio empire to a man he calls morally unfit for ministry.

For Pastor Chuck Smith, the big issues are undebatable. For Chuck Smith Jr., also a pastor, it's not so crystal clear. Something had to give.

Former pastor still pulled strings years after his departure, Calvary of Albuquerque members claim.

Applause built up in waves as the numbers grew on the overhead screens: $50 million … $75 million … $90 million.

Parishioners Speak With Action 7 News' Rod Green

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Officials at the Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque released a statement Monday about the seemingly sudden resignation of its pastor, the Rev. Pete Nelson.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A shakeup at the top of Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque has congregation members wondering what happened.

Many young Americans don't find relevance in the church, says Chuck Smith Jr., because they can't accept the answers "that the church has been trained to give."