When you walk through the doors of Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Emporia, you’re not just stepping into a church — you’re stepping into a story of prayer, faith, and God’s leading.
Brad and Melodi Bowen first attended Calvary Chapel in Diamond Bar, California, before moving to Kansas in 1993. Their journey took them through several Kansas fellowships — serving faithfully in men’s ministry, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, singles ministry, Vacation Bible School, and even leading a Monday night men’s Bible study for over 10 years.
The History of Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Emporia
It was in 2005 that Brad felt God calling him to full-time ministry. After much prayer and counsel, Kansas Calvary Chapel pastors began to talk about Emporia, a city where a previous fellowship had closed. Concerned for those who were left without a church home, they asked Brad and Melodi to pray.
In August of 2006, the Bowens came to Emporia with one question: Is God calling us here? They walked the streets, prayed over the city, and in October of that year, began a simple Friday night Bible study at Arizings Coffee Shop.
That Bible study grew — and on June 10, 2007, Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Emporia held its first official Sunday service. For three years the church met in the VFW building on South Commercial Street. Then in 2010, God opened the door to purchase the historic Fraternal Order of the Eagles Club building at 1130 E. Ninth Ave. After months of prayer and waiting, the loan was granted, and on December 17, 2010, the fellowship had a permanent home.
Today, Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Emporia is more than a building — it’s a family of believers. A place where the Bible is taught verse by verse. A place where worship is heartfelt. A place where families, students, and individuals from all walks of life come together to grow in Christ and encourage one another.
We know visiting a church for the first time can feel overwhelming. That’s why our heart is simple: to welcome you with love, open God’s Word together, and grow as a community of disciples.
If you’ve been searching for a Bible-teaching church in Emporia, Kansas, or simply a place to belong — we would love to meet you. Come and see what God is doing here.
Calvary Chapel Fellowship of Emporia — teaching God’s Word, loving God’s people, and serving our city.
Our Purpose
Calvary Chapel of Emporia exists to equip God's people for works of service through teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, and praising God. (Ephesians 4:12-13, Acts 2:42,47)
Teaching in both our large and small group gatherings is characterized by God's Word expressed in clear, everyday language, stressing practical application.
Fellowship in the Holy Spirit is a result of people committing themselves to a real love, understanding, and acceptance of each other. It is a natural sharing in both the ministry of the church and in the lives of one another.
Breaking of Bread is remembering the death and promises of the Lord Jesus as we share Communion, or eat together in each other's homes, or even over "cups of coffee" in a restaurant.
Prayer is talking with God and expressing our dependence on him. We encourage the sick to ask the Church leaders to anoint them with oil and pray for them. We teach Christians to pray regularly with each other and in private, personal time with God
Praising God is ascribing worth to the Father for who He is and for His Graciousness to us; to Jesus for His sacrifice for us; and the Holy Spirit for His work in us. This takes various forms, including singing, verbal expression, applause, lifting hands, kneeling, and offering our lives for service.
Statement of Faith
The Calvary Chapel Church has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed into His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not a denominational church, nor are we opposed to denominations as such, only their over-emphasis of doctrinal differences that have led to the division of the body of Christ. We believe that the only true basis of Christian fellowship is His (Agape) love, which is greater than any differences we possess and without which we have no right to claim ourselves as Christians.