Chuck Smith was an influential American pastor and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, a network of evangelical Christian churches that originated in Southern California. Born on June 25, 1927, Smith was known for his straightforward teaching style and focus on the exposition of the Bible. He began his ministry in the 1960s, and under his leadership, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa became one of the largest churches in the United States. The Calvary Chapel movement is notable for its grassroots approach to evangelism, contemporary worship style, and involvement in the Jesus Movement of the 1970s. Chuck Smith passed away on October 3, 2013. He left a significant legacy in the form of the worldwide Calvary Chapel fellowship, which continues to emphasize verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible and Christian discipleship.