This church has been a true blessing to the community of Pasadena and surrounding cities. In an era where 2/3 of American senior pastors no longer hold a Biblical worldview, we need bold, God-fearing Christian pastors more than ever. Pastor Xavier preaches and teaches the living, breathing word of God. He does not water down the gospel like many other pastors do. He teaches the Bible verses line-by-line, the way all pastors should be preaching. How else are you going to understand the Bible if you cherry pick verses or bounce around from book-to-book? Pastor Xavier also preaches with spiritual discernment. He believes that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. He does not sugar coat controversial topics. He backs every argument with Scripture. I have been to other churches throughout Pasadena and I never felt that my faith grew. All I wanted was to hear Biblical truth. Many pastors are afraid of preaching Biblical truth because they don't want to ruffle feathers within their congregation. After attending Calvary Chapel Pasadena, my Biblical knowledge and faith always grew every single time I attended church. It is a real blessing. Moreover it is a command that your faith must continue to grow. It is not an option. Pastor Xavier is unafraid to teach about sin and repentance. He recognizes the importance of Israel and the Old Testament. He stands up for righteousness by calling out politicians who commit evil acts against our society. He also criticized the scamdemic Covid lockdowns of 2020. Since when were churches considered non-essential? If God commanded his pastors to feed the flock, then what right does the government have to shut down churches? Make no mistake here. I'm a licensed healthcare professional and the John Hopkins meta analysis study of 2021 proved that lockdowns made NO difference in mortality. (I also know that the Covid mRNA shots never completed FDA Phase III human clinical trials before they were forced upon the public. Without the completed studies of safety, elimination, and toxicology, it's no wonder why I have noticed so many people suffering from adverse effects of the shots.) I'm so grateful that Pastor Xavier had the wisdom and courage to share the truth to the congregation. That's what every pastor in America should be doing! Calvary Chapel Pasadena also has excellent children's ministry. They provide childcare during Sunday morning services. They offer one week of Vacation Bible School from 6 year olds to 11 year olds every summer. They also have an amazing Christmas choir program for people of all ages to participate. They also have a Christian bookstore. If you want to truly grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ, truly understand the word of God, and obey the Lord, then this is the church for you. read more

It's bit political The place seem like lacking holyspirt Not much passion when comes to worship The sermon seems informative and biblical However you can easily fall asleep Because the way is being reached out Very mono tuned voice lack of enthusiasm read more

I like this church that they have a bookstore and their biblical values. However when I attended Calvary Chapel Pasadena, the volunteers seem pretentious and unwelcoming. I prefer to find a church that truly cares and not be pretentious to others. Sermon was OK but the pastor's tone made me doze off to sleep. Not a good church to grow if you're a young adult. read more

I attended Calvary Chapel Pasadena a few years ago. I enjoyed the expository teaching. However, for me, the church greatly lacked love, compassion, the holy spirit, and discernment. After two years of attending CCP, I scheduled and attended a counseling session in which I was seeking insight and direction. Upon sharing my story and personal experience, I was asked if I was "given to lying." I was confused by the question and asked for clarification. The counselor asked me if I had a problem with lying. He said that he could "perceive" in me a lying spirit. (He actually accused me of lying about my own personal experience.) Well, needless to say, I was devastated. After sharing my heart, my story and my personal experience, I was accused of lying. I never returned after that. That experience was God's confirmation to me that there was truly a lack of compassion, love, and discernment in the church's leadership. read more

This church is biblically strong in its messages, the biggest draw back is that half of the church body is very judgemental and that is a major turn off for me. Some of the pastors are very sharp and down right rude. There is no compassion for others It saddens me because the first step to help someone begin their walk with Christ is lacking in this narrow minded church body members. Please find one that really presents Christ in a loving manner. read more

i love my church as i have been a member for over 30 years kind, compassionate, very understanding/ they have helped me through, many things in my life. i raised all my children, under the wing of our lord and savior, i also have to say that Xavier the main pastor is a god-fearing man that teaches the bible book buy book in a way you can really understand, as are three other pastors Mario- and tony, if you're looking as i was 30 sum years ago you have found your home church, many thanks god bless Michael Powers read more

Startling message that catches your attention from the get-go.. Well that's what you want.. Is some food for thought.. A message that penetrates your heart.. Words of wisdom from the bible.. That enlighten you.. Actually..it's a down to earth.. Real messages and scripture that's read to you Explained to you in detail... So you have your spiritual breakfast The people here are very wonderful.. Greeted our family at the door.. Made us feel welcome... Read your bible daily.. So you can share with others.. So you're protected from those that attack you.. read more

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Calvary Chapel Pasadena with senior pastor Xavier Ries is a solid Bible teaching church. Pastor Xavier teaches verse by verse in an expositional type teaching, very detailed, so it's helpful to bring a pen and paper to take notes. The focus of this church is teaching the Word of God. I have attended here for 30 years, no one here is perfect, but most of us are really trying to live our life for Jesus. Check out the website for service times, etc. calvarychapelpasadena.com read more

Place talked WAY too much about culture wars. Too political. Within the first 15 minutes they started talking about calling local legislatures to complain. You can tell the pastor is very conservative and said some weird things about how "women will be crushed by men". Service was 90 minutes long. read more

I am new to the area and decided to attend this church virtually before going in person to check out their doctrine, and so I attended the service on 8/22/21 (today) online. My background is that I have been a Christian for roughly 25 years, have extensively read and studied the Bible, and that one of the main things I look for when examining a new church is how closely they stick to the Bible, even if it's unpopular. Additionally, I am a practicing physician. I was extremely saddened by what I heard today. Some direct quotes: someone used the phrase "Gavin Newssolini" when telling the congregation that they should vote to recall him. This is not pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. This is unkind at best. That people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine "need prayer". "We are seeing evil as we have never seen it before." - Humans have been wicked since original sin and have committed horrible atrocities for all of mankind. Additionally, I watched a link to a video they are showing in an upcoming sermon "America's frontline doctors", in which shows several doctors talking about hydroxychloroquine for COVID and being censored. As a physician, I do not personally believe the scientific studies support this use of this. But, that is not what bothered me about this being shared. What bothered me is that a spiritual body, this church, who does not seem to have leadership who is trained in scientific interpretation or knowledge, and is yet taking a stance on this when this is absolutely a non-biblical topic. It is a symptom of something going horribly wrong in this church and everything in my soul is telling me to run. This is really sad and the church seems really far gone. I hope that there is some introspection and conviction for leadership of this church and if that is not the case, I hope there is leadership turnover. read more

If you really, and truly want to Study and Understand the word of God, and grow in your faith and be prepared then PCC, is the place for you! The pastor delivers a concrete message then applies it to life and everyday situations. The word of God does not get watered-down here! This church is truly built on the Rock! Thank Lord you for blessing us with your servants at PCC. It's a blessing to live near this church and attend again. Be a blessing and be blessed. read more

Conviction is heavy, it hurts and it causes turmoil in oneself. Without that, you simply have a club with people who don't want to be offended or hear the truth. The truth was never meant to be easy. The bible used is the new King James bible. The pastor can go fast and one needs to read and be knowledgeable of the bible, but that is why we called to read and study. I think if you go here expecting to go to church on Sunday and simply fill a seat, you might be disappointed. If you want to read and study God's Word, I think you will like it. read more

This is a church which has very Bible oriented preaching. I would call it "advanced class". It is not "you're fine, I'm fine, everybody is fine". Here Pastor Xavier goes through a Bible book at a time. Right now it's Ezra, usually one chapter per sermon. Some time ago he taught on 2 Chronicles. (That took a number of weeks.) Very interesting to dive in deep in the Bible but it's not for beginners to Christianity. Pastor Xavier sometimes makes a short quick reference to a verse or sentence in the New Testament and for a beginner this would be confusing. Note-taking is common. People bring their own Bible. Childcare is provided. There are three church services on Sundays. They have their own parking lot but it's too little so people park on streets. read more

I left this church years ago. I have returned and glad that I did. The children's ministry is loving and teaches from the word. The sermon are like a sharp edge sword, Xavier don't play. He tells it like it is. I remember when I first came to pasadena Calvery when I first got saved 5 years ago. I got it, I stand in agreement with the word of God but those around me were offended. The word convicts the heart. Xavier keeps it real. When I walk in the doors I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. We may plan but God directs our plan. I highly recommend the "New Believers study" I've listened to the CD's in my car many times and every time I listen to the studies. I learn something new every time. Growing in the Lord is not a sprint, it's a marathon. It's a battle everyday. Stay grounded and plugged you. God bless you. Instead of complaining I've learned to lay it at the Lords feet and pray for one another. Let's pray for our pastors as well. Jesus is my Lord and master. read more

I came here a couple of times. I was really starting to like it. I thought the pastor was really good. Very knowledgeable and bible based. And then one Sunday he came out of left field talking about politics and praising Donald Trump which really wouldn't have been a big deal except he kept going on and on and bashing the previous administration. There were some people in the audience who were offended and left. I didn't leave. I stayed until the end and decided to digest what had happened. I really don't think politics should be preached from the pulpit no matter what side you are on. I probably won't be going back. It is a shame because I was really starting to like it. read more

I attended only because my friend wanted to go to evening service. The music was nice and people were welcoming, but the person who spoke just came off as very arrogant and pretentious. I feel bad saying that; he's probably nice in real life and all. But for someone whose first time in church is this place, I don't think it's a great starting point for a spiritual journey...not a loving or humble tone. And the guy who was speaking kept saying things like, "very clear here...not that hard" about his personal interpretations about verses...which I don't really think is a good way to come off. Like, if it really is someone's first time in church, ANY interpretation probably won't seem super "clear" or "easy to see." It just isn't a relatable or empathetic way of speaking in my opinion. Probably won't be back on my own. But hopefully this is taken constructively and can help anyone in the area who's looking for church but just starting out. Good luck. read more

I am very disappointed.  My wife, Son and wife and our grandaughter decided to attend the 11:30am service on Christmas Eve.  We sat down and were enjoying the music when one of the ushers informed us that we were not allowed in there with the baby, 3 months old.  We were surprised.  We were told to take the baby to the nursery or go into the overflow room where we can watch the service on TV.  The thing about it was that the baby was quiet and had not even made any noises, had she started to cry we would have walked her out on our own. We all felt very unwelcomed as the usher was rude about it, not nice at all.  Needless to say, we will NEVER attend that church at all, and will probably not attend Calvary churches in general.   Not at all a good Christian experience. read more

Can Xavier Open Up? If, years ago my mother told me to attend Calvary Chapel in Pasadena I would have attended as she requested. I would have gotten saved somewhere along the line. Joined the praise team as I did before at my bible-centered hometown church in Tempe AZ. The Pasadena Calvary Chapel praise team is exceptional. On the order of Gospel Echoes in Phoenix/Scottsdale many years ago. Calvary and gospel Echoes sing newer praise songs that have a full worship experience. I have this one request though. The pastor's sermons are as close to scholarly perfection as it gets. But he has this habit of trying to ruin an otherwise perfect sermon with puerile references to Genesis references that are blatantly untrue. You may not want to cogitate or confess this, but truth can not be contained in a bottle. Truth is relative, dynamic, alive. What Xavier tries to wrap around an otherwise perfectly good sermon is demeaning, even to the uneducated: "If a part of the bible is true then the whole bible is true." He should not add the above logic in his live sermons. When I hear him going off on one of his "the universe is 12,000 years old" rants, I will the very next time I hear his rant-referenced sermon quietly pray that God will open his mind to the truth. If you want to believe that the moon is made of green cheese*, or that the Earth is flat, or hollow, fine. God could have made the heavens and our planet Earth in one day. But He did not. I only live a few blocks away from Calvary Chapel Pasadena. It is a great church. And even if you go there and hear things you do not agree with, the rest of the experience should be worth the trip. I also enjoy the recorded services online. - - *Xavier does not preach the moon is made of green cheese, etc. read more

Simple truth. Clear, accurate, biblical teaching. Have been attending services here for 20 years and value their attention to details, such as how we impact the community around us. Very sad to hear about the parking affecting the neighbors, as that's something difficult to solve. We had a similar problem on our street in Pasadena with another church, but rather than approach the leadership to work out the problem, the neighbors went to the city and had the area permitted. Now no one (including the residents) can park on the street at the specified times. It did not resolve the problem and only made it worse for the residents. read more

I will rate everything on a scale of 1-10 with a brief explanation. Services are 7:30, 9:30 and 12, 6pm on Sunday and 7:30 on Thursday, they also have weakly bible studies. Word of God/teaching: 8. Its almost nearly perfect, the pastor teaches the Word very well. He doesn't water anything down, doesn't get PC, and always stays within context. He doesn't get a 10 because he sometimes can be dry and boring but that only happens sometimes. He teaches through a book at a time so if you go regularly you will learn both old and new testament and get through the whole bible every 5-7 years or so with a good understanding of the books. Every so often he gives special messages or there is a special speaker. Worship: 5. Worship here is very boring. The worship teams sing contemporary songs but usually slow songs. there is not a lot of life or spirit in the sanctuary while worship is going on. If you don't like exciting worship, raising your hands, standing or clapping this could be a good thing, but not for younger crowd. Fellowship:5 The people are very cliquish. If you are new or unfamiliar you are ignored. The only way to really build relationships is to join a ministry where you will see the same people regularly. Child Care/youth: child care is a 9. Child care is exceptional! they separate by age/grade from infant to 6th grade. Infants up to 1 year stay in a nice size room with plenty of adults, toys, swings, bouncers and padding. there is a separate section for nursing moms. toddlers up to 3 have a room and 4-5 year olds have a room with lots of toys and adults and helpers engage the children a short bible study, a activity and a snack. school age children are separated by grade and have a bible study and activity. Each level has a time of worship. and every child is given a number and if a parent is needed the number is displayed in the sanctuary or overflow area where the adults are. The only reason I don't give a 10 is because only 2 Sunday services have child care. the 1st (7:30 am) service does not. Youth: 5. jr. high and highschool. Very selective pastor. If he doesn't like you - you are ostracized and made to feel not welcome (I say this because of our own child's personal experience) otherwise they have worship that is more modern and taught the bible with a simpler approach. My child did enjoy being part of this ministry until the new pastor came. There are many opportunities to serve. Building: 7. Parking is challenging, but the location is easy to find. it is very clean and a mid sized church with a very nice bookstore (that alone deserves a 10) if they don't have what you want they will order it. but they already have plenty of great resources. Ministry: 8. There are a lot of ministries to get involved in. They are missing a ministry for recovering alcoholics/drug addicts and divorced people. Of course my list is not exhaustive but, in my opinion, important areas of a church. overall I give this church a 8 based on going there for 8 years. I'm looking for a new one now because I would like something more teen friendly and better worship. read more

Ah, yes the Calvary Chapel of Pasadena - what a joy !!! I was led to the Calvary Chapel by a Billy Graham TBS special. I was so moved by what Billy said - how Billy said it - Billy's conviction ... I knew I had to find more out, as in 2006 I was going through divorce, turmoil, chaos, career indecision and terror. I was afraid. I wasn't sure I had anything left. I'd run out of petrol, fuel. So after the TBS special I called the 800 number on the screen, and a loving Christian came on, a woman. Prayed with and for me. Directed me to the closest Billy Graham affiliate she could find (she was based in Tennessee), i.e. the Calvary Chapel in Pasadena. She cited the Pastor, Xavier Ries, who was known through-out the Christian World as a fierce defender of Christian values, change, the hearts' role in any demise in which we've suffered - she gave "X" five stars - out of a possible four. So the following Sunday I went - and knew from the very first worship song, "How Great Is Our God," that there was nothing to fear. That I was home. That I would survive the passing trauma and storm, get through the divorce, which was something exceedingly difficult to decide upon. Then a teaching position was taken away (all the state cuts CA suffered through from 06-09). My father died. And I was suddenly living alone. Fearing I could find a second partner at that time/age. Ah, but the Calvary Chapel! I'm not going to lie and say this was an easy transition for me. The Pastor often upset me with references to psychology, child rearing, do's and don'ts - he's someone that speaks his mind and, in X's own hilarious words, "Gets a lot of letters." He forever pleads not to send him any, any angry letters - after a terse sermon against things such as Same-Sex-Marriage - or our weakening Global partnership with Israel - our greatest ally. So my transition to the Calvary, and to Christianity - came in stages - but I never quit, never gave up - assumed it was me and I merely needed clarification. Knew I needed this and that it worked for me from the first moment I walked in. Isn't that all we need to know? That something "feels right" from the jump? Stage one and Stage two were a bit ugly - had an argument with the front office, mouthed-off, voiced disapproval at constant jabs at the world of psychology. But there came a moment in late Act Two when I began to understand, get it. When my hard-heart finally began to soften all of these years. Because it's the Heart that must be changed - and if you believe that - if you realize your own Heart's became callous/cynical - then there's Hope. Cuz you can't Change what you don't Acknowledge. So I "got" that the problem weren't the sermons, wasn't the Divorce, wasn't the change from 12-Step-spirituality into Hardcore Christianity - the problem was a hard heart. Thus Act 3 was opening a Bible, reading and studying scripture, CD's that our great Assistant Pastors (Tony Scotti, Henry Duran, to name just a few) - following along every Sunday and Thursday AND keeping my big mouth shut - an actual FIRST in my life. And I began to love the staff, the worship team, those around me/us at either the earliest Sunday service - or the second service at 9:30 a.m. And I began to love the World, love People again, forgive those who'd wronged/beguiled me while asking for that same Forgiveness from people. It's been nine years this past Easter I listened to the Billy Graham TBS special - found the Calvary - began attending as much as I could. I didn't do this perfect. I was on-again, off-again for awhile. I sought other churches closer to home - but when in doubt it's always about the Calvary Chapel in Pasadena - because it SHOULD have been impossible to change-my-heart at that point in time. No other Church or Pastor could have had this strong an effect on me. I had to have it drilled between my eyes time and again until there was no doubt, only Conviction. I had to be called onto the carpet when I got out of line. I had to understand there's only one way - His - per Xavier Ries at this Calvary Chapel - and Raul Ries at the Calvary Chapel in San Bernadino County. Chuck Smith-trained (You Tube). So if you're missing something, or you feel there's something else but don't exactly know WHAT - come to THIS Calvary Chapel in Pasadena. You'll never be the same. You'll leave the-old-you behind, shed him/her, and you'll grow into just WHO the Lord meant you to be. The Calvary changed my Heart - and for the first time since the age of 16 and 17 - I'm happy. How can you put a price-tag on something like Joy. read more

Warm friendly atmosphere. When we were new to this area we felt welcomed and at home right away.

I've been here over 20 years. This is my church home. These people are my extended family. The teaching is scholarly and the staff is genuine. This is a place to get solid biblical teaching. No fluff, no feel good soft peddled, watered down seeker friendly pap, just the Word clearly presented. This place is the place to go if you are seeking the unadulterated Word of God. read more

absolutely a blessing!!....The pastor really has been called to do what he does!!..... anyone that might complain about, parking, worship being boring, or having no divorce/alcoholic ministries as someone below did with the scaling is not looking at the bigger picture sadly!!! worship....parking and no building will get no one anyone into heaven!!!... in all things..one must keep their focus on what they are there for!! i been to tons of churches with awesome worship teams and wasnt spiritually growing, I have now come to understand that there is no perfect church...all are imperfect because US humans are imperfect, but what i wont compromise is the teaching and word of GOD...and pastor X does that extremely well.....WOW! i cannot say how every service I attend I seem to walk out more deeply in love with our Lord..... I thank God everyday for Pastor X, a pastor like him are few these day. read more