After Rev. Everett resigned, the church elected a pastor search committee consisting of Betty Harrelson, Pat Davis, Janet Crews, Robert Pace, Charles Stroud, Mike Savage, and Floyd Jacobs. After a somewhat frustrating search lasting two years, the committee recommended and the church voted to call Dr. Marc Drake who was pastoring a church in Tennessee. He accepted the call, and his first Sunday as pastor of Calvary was October 12, 1997.

Pastor Drake was very much a student of the Bible, a good speaker and teacher. He was very conservative in his beliefs and, stressing the importance of family values, promoted a family-based youth ministry. Unfortunately, many families chose to leave Calvary for churches providing a more flexible youth program with ministers to lead their youth.

Pastor Drake introduced and recommended the Awana program, which stands for "Approved Workmen are Not Ashamed" (II Timothy 2:15), and geared for children two to eighteen years. It has been a vital program for Calvary's children, building a biblical foundation for their faith. This program, which encourages the children and young people to learn the Bible through memory, is thriving and growing with its dedicated leadership.

Pastor Drake, realizing the need to identify Calvary Baptist Church, and to inform and invite those passing and living around our church, was responsible for having a permanent church sign erected on the church lawn.

During his tenure, the church called Matthew Harding, August 1, 1998, as associate pastor to students and families. Matthew's stay was short-lived as he accepted a call closer to his home.

Also during Pastor Drake's ministry, long-time Associate Pastor/Minister of Music, Rev. C. L. King, resigned to serve with his son, Aaron, at Whispering Pines Baptist Church. C. L. served God through Calvary very ably and effectively for over ten years, January 1, 1988 through September 12, 1999. C. L. led the choir for many years, performing renowned Easter and Christmas cantatas with full orchestra and drawing almost overflowing crowds.

Dr. Drake resigned on March 18, 2001, and served until April 1, 2001. He accepted a call to pastor a church in Memphis, TN.