Hello, my name is David Sweet Jr. Most people know me as Pastor Dave or Dave. I have the privilege of being the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Paradise, CA for the last 39 years.

I was born on November 17, 1942 in Bell, CA and adopted by my father’s sister Pauline Sweet. I was raised by David and Pauline Sweet and raised as David Sweet. My parents and I received Christ as our Savior on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953 and were baptized the following Sunday at 1st Baptist Church in Pomona, CA by Dr. Harold Fickett Jr.  We remained active members there until I married Betty Jo Campbell on June 20, 1965 in a ceremony performed by Pastor Chuck Smith,  just a few months before he went to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. My wife grew up in Hollywood First Presbyterian Church and was fortunate enough to be one of the first children to be taught the Bible by Henrietta Mears as she was putting together a Sunday School Curriculum that would become known as Gospel Light Publications.

I met Pastor Chuck Smith in a home Bible Study in Upland, CA in late 1961 and met my wife in 1963. Betty and I attended various home studies with Pastor Chuck until he married us in 1965.  We then served as youth leaders in the Christian Missionary Alliance church for 8 years in Baldwin Park and Napa, CA.

In 1974 I attended the 2nd Shepherds’ School of Maranatha Evangelical Association @ Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. I had a home Bible study that would birth Calvary Chapel of Napa and Paradise, CA. It is important for me to note that though the study began at the CMA church in Napa, the Napa fellowship was not the result of a church split. About the time Calvary Chapel of Napa began in 1974-75 a few of the folks moved to Paradise as a result of a job opportunity in Chico, CA.

Calvary Chapel of Paradise was birthed between Easter Sunday, March 26 and our firsts Church service on April 23, 1978 at what is now Rabobank on Pearson and Clark Rd. in Paradise.

The month of April has become a month of second birthdays! Born again April, 1953 and began as a Pastor in April 1978. As of April 2016 I celebrate my 64rd in Christ and 39 years as a Pastor. I can confidently say with the Apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him.”

Sincerely,

Pastor Dave Sweet