CCMV
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith started his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Beginning with a mere 25 people, he saw God bless his simple, yet consistent style of teaching straight through the Bible.
Today, Calvary Chapel has grown to over 1,500 churches worldwide. With a genuine heart for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his ministry for a generation of hippies, surfers, and drug addicts. This generated a stirring of the Holy Spirit, which spread from the California coast to the Atlantic and beyond. This movement was instrumental in bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ during the 60s and 70s in what was known as the Jesus People Movement.
As God expanded his ministry, Pastor Chuck's visionary leadership saw the birth of other ministries such as The Word for Today, a publishing/radio broadcasting ministry which is heard worldwide. A noted speaker and the author of over 25 books, Pastor Chuck can be heard daily on television, radio, and webcasts throughout the world.
Pastor Chuck went home to be with the Lord on October 3, 2013 (at the age of 86).
To hear free sermons of Pastor Chuck, you can download the Word for Today APP on your smartphone or device. Books and resources of Pastor Chuck can be found at http://www.twft.com.
On April 18, 1997, Pastor David Cuff began a small Bible study in the city of Encino, meeting in a modest room. What started as a simple gathering around God’s Word steadily grew, and on July 20, 1998, the ministry officially became a nonprofit church organization under the name Calvary Chapel Mid Valley. The name “Mid Valley” reflected the church’s central location in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.
In the late 1990s, the church relocated to the Laemmle Theater in Encino. In the early 2000s, the congregation moved into a small classroom affectionately known as “the pink room.”
In November 2005, the church began sharing facilities with Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino. Later, on April 1, 2011, the congregation moved to another shared location at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Van Nuys.
On October 1, 2023, the church entered a unique season—meeting in the backyard of a congregant’s home in Van Nuys, as well as at the Van Nuys Recreation Center. During this same time, the church’s name was officially changed to Light of the Valley Calvary Chapel.
On March 17, 2024, the church began gathering in its current location at Victory Plaza, with an official grand opening celebration held on May 5, 2024.
Pastoral Leadership
Pastor David Cuff founded and faithfully led the church from its inception in 1997 until April 2015. He was succeeded by Pastor Daniel Trinidad.
In July 2020, Pastor Robert Shank was officially appointed as Senior Pastor, a role he continues to serve in today. Pastor Robert and his wife, Meg, have faithfully served at Light of the Valley since 2013.
Church Plants
Between 2009 and 2010, the church had the privilege of planting two churches:
From a small Bible study in Encino to its present home, Light of the Valley Calvary Chapel has continued to grow through seasons of transition—remaining rooted in the teaching of God’s Word and committed to faithfully serving the San Fernando Valley.