Relocation to Moreno Valley, California
Founding Pastor Tom Luitwieler and his wife, Sandie, moved to Moreno Valley, California. There, they attended Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, where Tom began studying the Bible deeply and led a Sunday evening home fellowship. Encouraged by Pastor John Millhouse, Tom attended the Pastor’s School at Calvary Chapel of West Covina with Raul Ries, realizing his pastoral calling.
Move to Sparks, Nevada
After serving at Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley for ten years, Tom and Sandie relocated to Sparks, Nevada, to discern God’s plans for them. They initiated a home Bible study in Spanish Springs, which later moved to a preschool in Sparks.
Establishment of Calvary Chapel Reno Sparks
The Bible study evolved into Sunday morning services, officially founding Calvary Chapel Reno Sparks.
Leadership Transition
After 28 years of faithful service, Pastor Tom transitioned the leadership to Phil McKay, a Nevada native. Pastor Phil, born in Las Vegas and baptized in Yerington at age nine, felt a calling to preach. He served in the Marine Corps, worked at Calvary Chapel Vista in California, and, with his wife Rebecca, founded Calvary Chapel Villarreal in Costa Rica. Later, he served as senior pastor at Calvary Chapel Paris in Texas before returning to Nevada with his family to lead Calvary Chapel Reno Sparks.