We knew the church needed strong leadership and, believing that God would provide that leadership, began praying to that end.

The church selected a pastor search committee comprised of Max Radford, Cecil Johnson, Terry Fleck, Susan Sigmon, Randall Glazier and B.T. Hundley, to search for a senior pastor. On August 15, 2004, after much prayer and searching, Calvary called Rev. Donnie Lovette to serve as Senior Pastor. He began his ministry on September 21, 2004.

Pastor Lovette immediately began to assert his leadership and, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the church began moving forward. From what had been years of uncertainty, Pastor Donnie brought encouragement and unity to a church family which had been built upon a foundation of faith more than a century old. From his gifted proclamation of God's Word to his outward expression of love for his family and church, Pastor Lovette led Calvary to model Christ in our world. From his focus on evangelism, Pastor Lovette developed the Evangelism Task Force, which organized outreach teams to communicate the Gospel to individuals in the Wilmington area and connect them with the church family where they could grow into mature disciples of Jesus Christ. Under his strong leadership, Calvary grew once more in membership and spiritual maturity.

Calvary called Mr. David East, one of our own, to fill the position of Associate Pastor in the areas of youth and evangelism. He began his ministry on November 5, 2005. David worked extensively on Calvary's web site and contributed to the educational program of our school. God blessed our young people and us through the addition of David to our staff. He resigned, July 29, 2007, due to family commitments in Georgia.

With the retirement of Ann Vitale, Pastor Lovette assumed the administrative duties of Calvary Christian School. Under his leadership, the school became an integral ministry of our church and not a separate organization. Utilizing the expertise of church staff and Calvary members, Pastor Lovette enhanced our already gifted teaching staff with the additional instruction in chorus, band, art, and computer. Through an extensive media campaign, the people of our area began to recognize our achievements and Calvary Christian School began to grow.

After leading the school ministry for two years, Pastor Lovette asked the church to select a committee to search for a youth minister and school administrator. The committee recommended Jared Nicholas Smith, from Rome, GA, who was presently attending Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, to serve in this dual role. On December 27, 2007, Nick began serving as associate pastor in the areas of youth and school administration. Then, on January 27, 2008, Calvary ordained Nick into the Gospel ministry. Under Nick's leadership, the school expanded to educate students from three years through eighth grade.

During Pastor Donnie's ministry the Calvary family worked together to update their ministry and facilities. Our computer network and church website were expanded and updated, and numerous ministry media, describing the work of Calvary, was developed. In addition, landscaping, visitor parking, and directional signs throughout the property and facilities were added. The church and school playground area was also updated.

In 2007, our facilities were modernized with fine-looking ceramic tile in the hallway, kitchen, and restrooms. The men and women's restrooms were painted and beautifully redecorated. In addition, the entire education building was painted, new ceilings installed on the third floor, and the nursery renovated with new carpet and closed-circuit television. In addition, the youth ministry room was updated with media technology. Under Steve Hopkins' leadership, new choir robes were purchased for the adult choir. To update our transportation ministry, Calvary purchased a 2007 Ford twenty-six passenger bus and a 2008 Ford twelve-passenger van.

Finally, to remind us of God's blessings through the years, Katherine Godwin led in the completion of Calvary's heritage room. This exhibit contains the pulpit and other furniture and artifacts from our first church building, which stood on the corner of Fourth and Brunswick Streets. The showcase of the exhibit is the restored Kranich and Bach grand piano (circa 1880). This piano, purchased from Thalian Hall, and first used in worship at the original church, is still used on special occasions.

On May 18, 2008, our pastor received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice University. On Sunday, June 8, Calvary recognized Dr. Lovette with a special service including a video presentation from his wife and children, and a special presentation and reception in his honor.

With a vision for future growth and expansion, Calvary appointed a committee who enlisted an architect to design blueprints for a future elevator. The church also appointed a Family Life Center committee to develop a plan. A family life center would enable us to expand our outreach and ministries by providing facilities and activities for all ages—a place where the whole body can fellowship together—a place to bring young families together to whom we can pass down the rich heritage of this church.

Yet, even as programs, ministries, and buildings change to fit the lifestyles of today's Christians, Calvary is steadfast in keeping its focus on the unchanging goal—building God's Kingdom!

Jesus said, "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35)

Since 1886, Calvary Baptist Church has continued to be a beacon of God's light in Wilmington. The foundation was laid many years ago by a small group of faithful men and women who loved God and saw a need to spread the Gospel into other areas of the city—a small beginning which has, more than a century later, reached around the world. We humbly thank the Lord for their vision and dedication.

Calvary has a long history of pastors who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and who preach the Gospel accordingly. Throughout our long history, more than six-thousand six-hundred people have joined our fellowship of believers—faithful men, women, and children, working together to support the many ministries that reach beyond 423 North 23rd Street to our city, state, nation and around the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Though we have focused on our ministry staff, our history includes so many faithful, dedicated, caring, and loving people who have supported and served the Lord through our church that we could never name them all individually—their reward is in heaven. They have gone before us and we "...have entered into their labors" (John 4:38b). Jesus said, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:12a)