Church members are rejoicing to hear that the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement has miraculously recovered from cancer.
Calvary Chapel's founding pastor, Chuck Smith, announced during a recent communion service that his cancer has shrunk and is no longer active. During the communion service, Smith told his congregation that his tumor had shrunk to five times smaller than its previous size. The Christian Post reports that many congregants thought it was bad news at first, but then burst into applause after they realized that it was good news.
According to a Facebook post by Smith's daughter, Janette Smith Manderson, the 85-year-old pastor's latest scan showed that the tumor is dead.
Smith shocked his congregation when he first announced on New Year's Day that he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He has continued preaching during Sunday and Wednesday services and also hosts the daily afternoon radio show "Pastor's Perspectives."
Pastor Allan Esses, a former Calvary Chapel pastor, expresses the joyous response to the news of Pastor Smith's progress toward recovery.
"What a praise report to see the great things that God is doing for Pastor Chuck Smith in the healing of his body," he says. "We who have been praying for him for these many months rejoice and are thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ, for his tender touch, his healing hand upon our dear pastor."
At the direction of his doctor, Smith will still continue chemotherapy and treatment.