Calvary Open Door Worship Center, located in Bellflower, CA. was founded by its pastor, Mark Elias, in 1993. Since its inception, Calvary Open Door has been a place for people to find the unconditional love of Jesus Christ without fear of judgment or condemnation.
We strive to help each other achieve the greatest commandment: to “love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40).
Many well-meaning believers in Jesus quote John 3:16 without finishing the writer’s thought expressed in the underlined 17th verse:
“For God so loved the world that God gave the only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him should be saved.” (John 3:16, 17)
There is therefore no place for condemnation at our church – either of others or of ourselves – because we are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
LOVE LIBERTY in the SPIRIT
Calvary Open Door is Focused on Love
Rather than focusing on beliefs and customs based on traditions, we choose to focus on essential Biblical truth. Jesus made it clear that “by this shall everyone know that you are my followers, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Calvary Open Door Center focuses on Love – the same love that does have the power to change the world!
Calvary Open Door is Focused on Liberty
Scripture says that “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Liberty in the Spirit is the foundation of a personal relationship with God, as opposed to a prescribed set of rules legalistically enforced by people who are no more perfect or righteous than anyone else. “All have missed the mark and fall short of God’s glory” (Romans 3:23). Your relationship with Jesus Christ is yours. No one can take it from you! Calvary Open Door Center focuses on Liberty – the liberty in the Holy Spirit that frees us from legalistic traditions.
The Vision of CODC
We’re building a vibrant worship and healing center where a diverse multitude may worship God and care for each other, discovering Jesus’ unconditional love and healing for spirit, mind, and body – a place where spiritual thirst and hunger are satisfied, free of cost and without working for it (Isaiah 55:1).
Unity in Diversity. In Jesus Christ, there is
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“No race…
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“No class…
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“No gender…
“For you are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28)
The Mission of CODC
We will provide an open and affirming place of worship for those who would interact with us in peace.
We will bring, through the life and message of Jesus, God’s freedom to the captive, hope to the hopeless, and healing to the hurting.
We will proclaim the risen Jesus Christ as the True Way, while rejecting the bigotry of many of His followers.
We will confirm the nondenominational, gender-neutral, colorblind nature of New Testament grace through faith in Jesus Christ, teaching the biblical truth that while people judge on outward appearance, God looks at the heart.
We will help all in our community to develop a deeper, more personal relationship with God through prayer and study of Scripture as interpreted by Scripture, and not by the opinions of others.
We will help all in our community to understand the importance of developing spiritual and emotional maturity, for both our own well-being and for the cause of Christ.
We will equip those who would learn and grow with us to take this Message out into the world.