Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

What Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale does

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale is a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization founded in 1985, operating as the largest affiliate within the Calvary Chapel network. It is a multi-site Christian church with eleven physical campuses across South Florida, complemented by an Online campus and a virtual reality (VR) campus delivered through the BigScreen Meta application. The church runs weekend worship services, mid-week programs, and a Bible college, and is led by Lead Pastor Doug Sauder, who has held the role since May 2014. Core operations are delivered through a campus model with centralized leadership and distributed local sites, supported by 101 to 250 employees across the organization.

The revenue model is donation-based: income is generated through tithes, offerings, and donations from congregants, with digital giving enabled through the Pushpay platform. The organization operates several wholly-owned program subsidiaries that extend its functional footprint, including Calvary Christian Academy (a Pre-K through 12 school), Calvary House (a free residential recovery program with separate Men and Women facilities), The Grill, and Generous Cafe & Bookstore. ECFA accreditation provides external validation of financial stewardship and supports donor confidence.

Strategically, the organization combines a traditional brick-and-mortar multi-site church model with newer digital distribution (Online and VR), reflecting an attempt to broaden reach beyond its South Florida geographic base. Founded in 1985, the organization has compounded scale over nearly four decades, and its 78-acre main campus with worship capacity in excess of 3,000 positions it among larger U.S. non-denominational and Calvary Chapel-affiliated ministries. Financial details are not publicly disclosed, consistent with its 501(c)(3) status.

Name

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Legal name

Calvary Chapel Church, Inc.

Website

https://calvaryftl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale is a non-profit multi-site Christian church founded in 1985, operating eleven South Florida campuses plus Online and VR campuses, serving congregants through worship, education, and recovery programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Organization / House of Worship

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Church services
• Residential recovery programs
• Discipleship small groups
• Youth children ministry
• Community outreach missions

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary financial contributions from congregation members. Tithes represent the first 10% of income given to God. Offerings are additional gifts above and beyond tithes to meet specific needs or express gratitude.
2. Digital Giving: Online and mobile giving through Pushpay platform. Majority of giving is done through digital payments. Recurring/automated giving option available for consistent generosity.
3. Non-Cash Gifts: Accepts non-cash gifts including stocks/securities, IRA charitable rollovers, donor-advised funds, life insurance, and estate planning contributions.
4. Calvary House Program Donations: Free residential recovery program for men and women; supported through donations. One-time donation fee of $350 for applicants, though financial hardship does not result in denial.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale delivers weekly evangelical worship services and Bible teaching across 11 physical South Florida campuses, plus online and Virtual Reality campuses, supported by a comprehensive ecosystem of age- and life-stage ministries (Kids, Youth, Young Adults, Men, Women), small groups, discipleship classes, baptism, Celebrate Recovery 12-step support, free residential addiction recovery (Calvary House for Men and Women), care/counseling services, and local/global outreach/missions programs. Revenue is generated through voluntary tithes, offerings, and non-cash gifts collected primarily through the Pushpay digital giving platform.

Product overview

Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale is a multi-site non-denominational church established in 1985, now entering its 40th year. The organization operates as a unified church with 11 physical campuses across South Florida plus online and VR campuses. Its core offering consists of weekly worship services featuring worship and Bible teaching, supplemented by comprehensive ministry programs including Calvary Kids (children's ministry), Calvary Youth/Six78 (middle and high school), Calvary Young Adults/CYA (18-30), Calvary Men and Calvary Women, small groups, and discipleship classes. The church provides specialized care ministries including Celebrate Recovery (12-step program), Calvary House (free residential recovery for men and women), biblical counseling, and the Financial Freedom program. Additional services include baptism, marriage/couples ministry, internships, outreach/missions programs, digital giving via Pushpay, online teaching resources through its resource site, The Grill restaurant, and King's Kids (special needs ministry). The organization emphasizes connection to God, people, and outreach as its three pillars of ministry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Calvary Kids: Children's ministry program for newborns through 5th grade.
• Calvary Youth
• Calvary Young Adults (CYA)
• Calvary Women
• Calvary Men
• Calvary House
• Celebrate Recovery
• Financial Freedom
• Calvary Christian Academy (CCA)

Products and services

• In-Person Church Services Weekly worship services held across 11 physical campuses in South Florida featuring worship, Bible teaching, and community connection, offered free to attend.
• Calvary Online Campus Live-streamed church services from the Fort Lauderdale campus with real-time chat, enabling remote attendance for those unable to visit physically.
• Calvary VR Campus Virtual reality campus accessible through BigScreen Meta app on VR headsets, offering immersive worship experiences in a VR environment for global participants.
• Calvary Kids Children's ministry for newborns through 5th grade featuring age-appropriate worship, Bible learning, and small group environments with background-checked volunteers.
• Calvary Youth (Six78 & HSM) Youth ministry for middle school (Six78, 6th–8th grade) and high school (HSM, 9th–12th grade) students offering worship, discipleship, fellowship activities, and the annual Youth Encounter summer event.
• Calvary Young Adults (CYA) Ministry for 18–30 year olds focused on discipleship, community building, and discovering God-given purpose through groups, events, and service opportunities.
• Baptism Services Water baptism by full immersion for believers, including annual Beach Baptism events and baptism classes for both adults and children.
• Small Groups Community groups meeting regularly for Bible study, fellowship, and mutual support across categories including care groups, Divorce Care, GriefShare, Celebrate Recovery, and support groups.
• Discipleship Classes Educational programs including Growth Track (3-week introduction), Essentials of the Christian Faith, and various topical classes helping members connect faith to everyday life.
• Calvary Women Women's ministry offering groups, Bible studies, The Gathering events, and intergenerational community for spiritual growth and fellowship.
• Calvary Men Men's ministry with groups, Bible studies, The Huddle events, and fellowship opportunities for building relationships across generations.
• Financial Freedom Program Financial discipleship program with four tracks (Struggling, Stable, Strong, Secure) offering courses like Faith and Finances, Financial Peace University, budget coaching, and generosity planning.
• Celebrate Recovery Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for hurts, habits, and hang-ups, offering separate men's and women's groups, The Landing (student ministry), and Celebration Place (children's program).
• Calvary House Recovery Program Free residential recovery programs for men (4-phase, ~12 months) and women (12-month program) addressing addiction through faith-based counseling, life skills training, and transitional support.
• Care Ministries Support services including biblical counseling, benevolence/financial assistance, hospital visitation, funeral/memorial planning, and prayer support.
• Local & Global Outreach Mission and outreach programs including local community service, short-term mission trips, partnership with global missionaries, and support for organizations like Convoy of Hope, One Hope, and Samaritan's Purse.
• Digital Giving (Pushpay) Online and mobile giving platform enabling tithes, offerings, and recurring gifts through the church website, with text-to-give and in-person options. PCI DSS compliant.
• Online Teaching Resources Digital resource site offering sermon series, the Seasons podcast, devotionals, Bible reading plans, parenting resources, and youth/student materials.
• Calvary Couples Ministry Marriage and relationship ministry offering couples groups, premarital class (6-week course with private counseling), and marriage counseling services.
• Calvary Internships Semester-based internship program for emerging leaders (typically ages 16–25) with tracks in Worship & Production, Creative & Communications, NextGen, Discipleship & Pastoral Care, Outreach/Missions & Recovery, and Hospitality/Volunteers & Operations.
• King's Kids Special needs ministry (King's Kids) providing adaptive Bible learning and fun for children with ESE (Exceptional Student Education) needs, featuring a 1:2 student-to-teacher ratio.
• The Grill Restaurant Full-service restaurant on the Fort Lauderdale campus offering meals, coffee, and pastries for visitors and the community.
• Generous Cafe & Bookstore Coffee and bookstore venue at the Fort Lauderdale campus offering beverages, food, and Christian literature in a welcoming environment.

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Church UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA movement of pastors and churches in South Florida working together to strengthen and unify the local church through collaboration, prayer, and community outreach.
• First PrioritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to sharing the Hope of the Gospel with every student on every campus. Equips students with resources to share Christ with fellow students.
• Hope South FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit providing support and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in South Florida through housing, employment services, and basic needs assistance.
• Hope Women's CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple centers in Broward County offering unplanned pregnancy solutions, consultations, testing, and support for individuals and families.
• ĒMA (Every Mother's Advocate)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization committed to preventing family separation by empowering at-risk mothers through relational advocacy, vital services, and education to create stable homes.
• 4KIDScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry bringing hope, homes, and healing to kids and families in crisis. His Caring Place provides homes and support for women and their babies for over 30 years.
• City HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness for single mothers in South Florida through skills development and sustainable care for their children.
• Sheridan HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultifaceted ministry helping families in crisis through Parenting On Purpose radio broadcast, Residential Boys' Homes, single mom ministry, and counseling centers.
• Convoy of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal humanitarian organization providing disaster relief and community development programs. Partner for global outreach initiatives.
• One HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization dedicated to creating opportunities for children and young people to reach their God-given potential through various ministry programs.
• Samaritan's PursecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people in need. Partner for disaster relief and humanitarian projects.
• World ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization working with churches worldwide to serve vulnerable populations through refugee services, disaster response, and community development.
• Compassion InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian child sponsorship organization partnering with local churches worldwide to release children from poverty through sponsorship.
• National Christian Foundation of South Florida (NCFSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic giving partner offering creative solutions and tax-smart strategies for donors. Helps Calvary with planned giving and donor-advised fund management.
• CapinCrouse, LLPminorOthersCPA firm conducting annual full financial audits for Calvary after fiscal year ending June 30. Ensures financial accountability and transparency.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Saddleback Church: Long-established multi-site evangelical church in California with comparable small-groups DNA, recovery programming, and global church-planting networks.
• Lakewood Church: One of the largest evangelical congregations in the U.S., based in Houston, with multi-site operations, broadcast media, and global digital reach—comparable in scale and aspiration to Calvary's multi-site model.
• North Point Community Church: Andy Stanley-led multi-site evangelical church in Atlanta with comparable small-groups architecture, family ministries, and digital content distribution.
• Willow Creek Community Church: Bill Hybels-founded multi-site evangelical church with comparable small-groups architecture, leadership development, and global church-network partnerships.
• Hillsong Church: Globally recognized multi-site evangelical church with comparable worship, youth, and digital content strategies, though currently navigating brand-rebuilding challenges.

Direct peers

• Gateway Church: Multi-site evangelical congregation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with comparable scale, family ministries, and global missions partnerships.
• Church of the Highlands: One of the largest U.S. churches with a multi-site model, recovery programs (Celebrate Recovery-affiliated), and comparable ministry breadth.
• Elevation Church: Steven Furtick-led multi-site evangelical church in Charlotte, NC with comparable broadcast/digital reach and millennial/Gen-Z family ministry focus.
• Christ Fellowship Church: Large multi-site evangelical church based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, operating multiple South Florida campuses with comparable ministry programming, recovery initiatives, and family services.
• Bethel Church: Large evangelical congregation in Redding, CA with comparable worship, miracles-focus, school (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry), and digital distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Calvaryftl
• Facebookfacebook.com/CalvaryFTL
• Instagraminstagram.com/CalvaryFTL
• Xx.com/CalvaryFTL
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calvary-chapel-fort-lauderdale

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale