It is here in Israel, the land of the scriptures that he loved so much that we just learned that our friend & brother Pastor Chuck Smith went home to glory to be with Jesus.

Ronnie Cohen (the believing tour guide for Pastor Chuck's Israel tours and my own) were informed as we were leading a study tour of Galilee that Chuck went to his Saviour and to his reward after his struggle with lung cancer. While we rejoice for Chuck, for ourselves we received the news with a sense of sincere loss.

I liked Chuck personally and regarded him highly as one of the relatively few Evangelical figures who were willing to reach out to the newly saved hippies coming to Christ though the Jesus Movement and I always valued his support for Israel and The Jews. It was always a blessing and a joy to share conference platforms with such a kind and gracious brother.

We express our condolences to Pastor Chuck's family and especially to Chuck's brother Paul who is a close and trusted friend.

We request prayer for Chuck's family and for the future of Calvary Chapels.

J. Jacob Prasch