WELCOME TO CBTS
Calvary by the Sea is a group of people gathered by the Creator to a live a life of inclusivity, intentionality, and involvement. To participate in the ongoing healing and reconciliation of the world!
We say Amen to God's diversity of humanity!
We are a congregation with a Lutheran theological imagination that practices the sacraments of baptism and communion as Jesus did. We are a sacramental community that partakes of wine and bread as a weekly nourishment.
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation that boldly declares inclusion of our queer siblings in Christ. We are a Racial Reconciling in Christ congregation that openly declares unity for people of all ethnicities and races and works towards a shared vision and visible sign of the heavenly church.
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA and in mission partnership with the Pacifica Synod.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Responding to our changing world with Godʻs unchanging love and grace.
OUR CORE VALUES
CBTS has identified three core values that truly speak to the heart of what we are striving to do and to be a church in this community and island.
Inclusive – As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, we continue to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ discrimination occurs inside and outside the church. Therefore, we advocate for the full welcome, inclusion, equity and celebration of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Amen for the diversity of God’s people! As an Ecumenical Congregation we strive for unity across various faith traditions and denominations. Our theological differences don’t divide us, rather they allow us to learn from one another and celebrate the unique perspectives we all bring to the table.
Intentional – As a Learning Congregation we seek out education as a source of spiritual growth and social action. Our ministries and programs across all ages aim to deliberately serve and care for the poor, hungry, oppressed, and exploited. As a congregation striving for Racial Reconciliation, we continue to acknowledge the lifelong process of unpacking, processing and rejecting the sin of white supremacy embedded within our society and the American Christian Church. We lament that Black, Brown, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, People of Color (BBIPOC) continue to pay the price of systemic racism with their lives. We pray for the image of God to be the common identity that unites us and heals us, pointing us toward justice and wholeness.
Involved – As a Serving Congregation and as our sanctuary entrance states, “Beyond these doors your service begins,” so we aim to be actively involved in the care of all creation. Serving our island through nourishing the hungry, engaging local/global social equity and caring for the aina (the land) and all living things. As a Sanctuary Congregation, we continue to advocate for protection, dignity, and justice for migrants and refugees, who seek to be called travelers. We advocate for our island through Faith Action creating a more equitable and justice centered world.
OUR LOCATION
5339 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [Oceanfront Sanctuary]
Calvary by the Sea is a group of people gathered by the Creator to a live a life of inclusivity, intentionality, and involvement. To participate in the ongoing healing and reconciliation of the world!
We say Amen to God's diversity of humanity!
We are a congregation with a Lutheran theological imagination that practices the sacraments of baptism and communion as Jesus did. We are a sacramental community that partakes of wine and bread as a weekly nourishment.
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation that boldly declares inclusion of our queer siblings in Christ. We are a Racial Reconciling in Christ congregation that openly declares unity for people of all ethnicities and races and works towards a shared vision and visible sign of the heavenly church.
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA and in mission partnership with the Pacifica Synod.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Responding to our changing world with Godʻs unchanging love and grace.
OUR CORE VALUES
CBTS has identified three core values that truly speak to the heart of what we are striving to do and to be a church in this community and island.
Inclusive – As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, we continue to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ discrimination occurs inside and outside the church. Therefore, we advocate for the full welcome, inclusion, equity and celebration of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Amen for the diversity of God’s people! As an Ecumenical Congregation we strive for unity across various faith traditions and denominations. Our theological differences don’t divide us, rather they allow us to learn from one another and celebrate the unique perspectives we all bring to the table.
Intentional – As a Learning Congregation we seek out education as a source of spiritual growth and social action. Our ministries and programs across all ages aim to deliberately serve and care for the poor, hungry, oppressed, and exploited. As a congregation striving for Racial Reconciliation, we continue to acknowledge the lifelong process of unpacking, processing and rejecting the sin of white supremacy embedded within our society and the American Christian Church. We lament that Black, Brown, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, People of Color (BBIPOC) continue to pay the price of systemic racism with their lives. We pray for the image of God to be the common identity that unites us and heals us, pointing us toward justice and wholeness.
Involved – As a Serving Congregation and as our sanctuary entrance states, “Beyond these doors your service begins,” so we aim to be actively involved in the care of all creation. Serving our island through nourishing the hungry, engaging local/global social equity and caring for the aina (the land) and all living things. As a Sanctuary Congregation, we continue to advocate for protection, dignity, and justice for migrants and refugees, who seek to be called travelers. We advocate for our island through Faith Action creating a more equitable and justice centered world.
OUR LOCATION
5339 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [Oceanfront Sanctuary]
OUR STORIES
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PASTORS & MINISTERS
DIRECTORS & ADMINISTRATORS
WORSHIP & MUSIC
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
The Congregational Council is made up of a group of people who are called by God and the local parish to provide spiritual support and missional leadership. A member of the council cares for the spiritual well-being of the congregation, regularly attends worship services, is involved in the congregational life, financially supports the church and its ministries and prays for discernment about what is best for the congregation. The Congregational Council meets on the first Sunday of every month after worship.
Please be in prayer for your council in such a season as this and please feel free to contact us
The Congregational Council is made up of a group of people who are called by God and the local parish to provide spiritual support and missional leadership. A member of the council cares for the spiritual well-being of the congregation, regularly attends worship services, is involved in the congregational life, financially supports the church and its ministries and prays for discernment about what is best for the congregation. The Congregational Council meets on the first Sunday of every month after worship.
Please be in prayer for your council in such a season as this and please feel free to contact us
OUR COMMUNICATION
The Calvary Caller is our weekly email communication that includes our upcoming events and gatherings, a note from the desk of the Senior Pastor throughout the year and other announcements for the congregation. Our desire to keep you informed of all the happenings at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church.
If you would like to subscribe, please contact us
The Calvary Caller is our weekly email communication that includes our upcoming events and gatherings, a note from the desk of the Senior Pastor throughout the year and other announcements for the congregation. Our desire to keep you informed of all the happenings at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church.
If you would like to subscribe, please contact us
OUR HISTORY
The idea of a new Lutheran Church in Hawaii came from Dr. Phillip Dybvig, Director of Home Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Dr. Gaylord Falde, Bishop of the South pacific District of the ELC. The funding of the new church was handled by the Churches of the Austin Circuit in Southern Minnesota in late 1953. On the day that the Austin circuit decided to sponsor the mission by providing loan money, Dr. Falde and Dr. Dybvig gave Stan Gjervik the Letter of Call to become the mission pastor in Honolulu.
Stan and Doris Gjervik arrived in Honolulu on July 26,1954. They were ready to work the afternoon they arrived. First, they met with real estate agents to scout the Aina Haina area for possible church sites. Sven Anderson at M's Ranch House offered the use of his banquet facility for a place of Worship and Sunday School. The first service was scheduled for October 17,1954. The big day came. Dr. Phil Dybvig was a guest. Forty-two people were present at the first service. Attendance was down a little the next two Sundays, but it climbed gradually until there were about 95 by Christmas and 120 by Easter.
While Dr. Dybvig was here, the congregation began negotiating for property. A realtor by the name of Mr. Wright found the present site. For four days we worked with a Mrs. Wild and her advisors at the Hawaiian Trust Building. The bank was wonderful. We explained that we had $90,000 to invest, but that this would have to include the purchase price of the land and the first unit of the church (now Ohana Lani). The result was that the church purchased 63,000 square feet of land for $60,000. Later, the church received a gift of 10,000 square feet where Hale Aloha is located. An additional 10,000 square feet of land on the highway end of the property was a gift in 1955.
In 1956, a pledge of $10,000 covered a promissory note to Mrs. Wild. Plans for the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) were started. Harold Hicks was the builder but was assisted by Nolan Wold, a volunteer who came in January, 1955. Paul Jones of Wimberly and Cook was engaged as the architect. Plans were soon ready, and the church accepted a bid from C. W. Winstedt for under $24,000. By the end of September, 1955, we were in our new building. Special gifts came for the finishing touches.
We continued to meet at the Hind Company Office Building behind M's Ranch House. Sunday School started on October 24, 1954. Children's programming began on Thursday afternoons in November when we moved to the new church site. Women of the church began meeting once a month. Later we started a regular weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study. Everybody seemed to take hold of the work, and to support the congregation seemed to be a natural thing to do. In fourteen months, we began carrying our own weight, and no longer needed the monthly Home Mission Grant in Aid.
The church was active from the beginning. Visitors were abundant during those years. Participation in Kiwanis and P.T.A. became an important community service. In 1958, we began broadcasting our worship service on KAIM FM. Additions were built to both sides of the sanctuary in 1953. The church had taken its place in the community
The spirit of the first congregation still exists. Words of early pastors continue to describe Calvary by the Sea Lutheran: From our first pastor Stan Gjervik (1954-1961): "Every car that drove up was a miracle." From James Bergquist (1961-1964): "Calvary Lutheran has always been a unique and wonderful congregation." From Obed Sunde (1964-1967): "Thanks to God for the blessings He has showered on the congregation."
In 1968, Doug Olson became the senior pastor at Calvary, ushering in a period of strong growth in membership, church programs and community service. This included a unique program called Clown Sunday, which used theatre to reach out to members of the church and community at large who were burdened by emotional and spiritual problems. Pastor Olson's wife Ivy launched Angel Network Charities (ANC), which was dedicated to helping those in need with housing, counseling, and food assistance.
In 1978, Calvary by the Sea membership voted to affiliate with the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA. Then in 1979, planning began for a new sanctuary to be situated where those attending worship services can look out over the beautiful seascape of Moanalua Bay. The facility opened in 1982.
In 1991, the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) was renovated to provide space for ANC's program. Today, Angel Network Charities focuses exclusively on feeding and nourishing our 'Ohana in partnership with other ministries and organizations. The need for nourishment has grown steadily over the years, and grew exponentially during the covid-19 global pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, ANC was providing food weekly for more than 1,000 families. Today they feed nearly 3,000 families per week!
Early in Pastor Olsen's 34 years as senior pastor, Calvary started a preschool with 30 students and 2 teachers. The school later became a Montessori School and its enrollment increased to nearly 70 students shortly before covid restrictions went into effect. At about the same time, Calvary began offering weddings to couples in Hawaii, the continent USA and countries around the world, another program that continues to this day (with a pause during the covid global pandemic.) In 2004, Tim Mason began a 14-year term as senior pastor. After a two-and-a-half-year interim process and a global pandemic, Calvary by the Sea called a new a pastor.
In early 2021, Calvary by the Sea’s current pastor, Moses Barrios, arrived with bold intentions to extend Christ’s love and grace in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi through the called people of God at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Since Pastor Mosesʻ arrival to the congregation, CBTS has boldly embodied its mission and values; uplifting the inclusion of the LGBTQI community, becoming known for its bold inclusivity, intersectionality and advocacy. Nearly 20% of todayʻs congregation identifies as queer and trans. Thanks be to God!
CBTS is living with intentionality by nourishing the island through Angel Network Charities Food Bank, becoming the islandʻs largest food bank during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. And seeking to be involved in advocacy and social change through Faith Action Hawaiʻi and other advocacy organizations. Thanks be to God!
As a result, CBTS has exponentially grown in participation and spirituality, adding more than 150 new members and supporters to the spiritual family and tripling in Sunday worship attendance during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. Such growth gave birth to ʻOhana Groups, our small groups that encourage community and relationship, and Pride Connection, a ministry led by our queer and trans community and welcoming of allies. Thanks be to God!
Certainly, the trajectory for most of the American Christian Church is declining in worship attendance, aging, homogenizing and plainly put, becoming irrelevant. Nonetheless, Pastor Moses’ vision to see unity and diversity in race and ethnicity within a historically predominantly euro-centric congregation like CBTS and a denomination like the ELCA has authentically become a reality. More than 50% of todayʻs congregation is made up of people of color (B.B.I.P.O.C.) making it truly a multi-ethnic congregation. Thanks be to God!
In addition, our Executive Committee and Congregational Council has called a robust and experienced group of leaders, directors and ministers to assist with the growth of ministry and spiritual formation. And with the core values of inclusion, intentionality and involvement CBTS continues to prioritize young people and young families with children and youth, a demographic sorely missing from the congregation prior to Pastor Mosesʻ arrival.
In 2024, CBTS was recognized and celebrated as a top 20 ELCA congregation in the nation, among 9,300 congregations excelling in multiethnic and intersectional ministry. A case study and interview of CBTS was completed by DataWise Consulting in order to gain knowledge and outcomes to share with other ELCA congregations across the nation. We are very proud and excited about this movement of God among us! The divine is flowing in Honolulu Hawaiʻi! History will continue to be made in the coming years as CBTS enters the flow that is healing and reconciling of all creation, where everything is being made new. Amen!
The idea of a new Lutheran Church in Hawaii came from Dr. Phillip Dybvig, Director of Home Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Dr. Gaylord Falde, Bishop of the South pacific District of the ELC. The funding of the new church was handled by the Churches of the Austin Circuit in Southern Minnesota in late 1953. On the day that the Austin circuit decided to sponsor the mission by providing loan money, Dr. Falde and Dr. Dybvig gave Stan Gjervik the Letter of Call to become the mission pastor in Honolulu.
Stan and Doris Gjervik arrived in Honolulu on July 26,1954. They were ready to work the afternoon they arrived. First, they met with real estate agents to scout the Aina Haina area for possible church sites. Sven Anderson at M's Ranch House offered the use of his banquet facility for a place of Worship and Sunday School. The first service was scheduled for October 17,1954. The big day came. Dr. Phil Dybvig was a guest. Forty-two people were present at the first service. Attendance was down a little the next two Sundays, but it climbed gradually until there were about 95 by Christmas and 120 by Easter.
While Dr. Dybvig was here, the congregation began negotiating for property. A realtor by the name of Mr. Wright found the present site. For four days we worked with a Mrs. Wild and her advisors at the Hawaiian Trust Building. The bank was wonderful. We explained that we had $90,000 to invest, but that this would have to include the purchase price of the land and the first unit of the church (now Ohana Lani). The result was that the church purchased 63,000 square feet of land for $60,000. Later, the church received a gift of 10,000 square feet where Hale Aloha is located. An additional 10,000 square feet of land on the highway end of the property was a gift in 1955.
In 1956, a pledge of $10,000 covered a promissory note to Mrs. Wild. Plans for the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) were started. Harold Hicks was the builder but was assisted by Nolan Wold, a volunteer who came in January, 1955. Paul Jones of Wimberly and Cook was engaged as the architect. Plans were soon ready, and the church accepted a bid from C. W. Winstedt for under $24,000. By the end of September, 1955, we were in our new building. Special gifts came for the finishing touches.
We continued to meet at the Hind Company Office Building behind M's Ranch House. Sunday School started on October 24, 1954. Children's programming began on Thursday afternoons in November when we moved to the new church site. Women of the church began meeting once a month. Later we started a regular weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study. Everybody seemed to take hold of the work, and to support the congregation seemed to be a natural thing to do. In fourteen months, we began carrying our own weight, and no longer needed the monthly Home Mission Grant in Aid.
The church was active from the beginning. Visitors were abundant during those years. Participation in Kiwanis and P.T.A. became an important community service. In 1958, we began broadcasting our worship service on KAIM FM. Additions were built to both sides of the sanctuary in 1953. The church had taken its place in the community
The spirit of the first congregation still exists. Words of early pastors continue to describe Calvary by the Sea Lutheran: From our first pastor Stan Gjervik (1954-1961): "Every car that drove up was a miracle." From James Bergquist (1961-1964): "Calvary Lutheran has always been a unique and wonderful congregation." From Obed Sunde (1964-1967): "Thanks to God for the blessings He has showered on the congregation."
In 1968, Doug Olson became the senior pastor at Calvary, ushering in a period of strong growth in membership, church programs and community service. This included a unique program called Clown Sunday, which used theatre to reach out to members of the church and community at large who were burdened by emotional and spiritual problems. Pastor Olson's wife Ivy launched Angel Network Charities (ANC), which was dedicated to helping those in need with housing, counseling, and food assistance.
In 1978, Calvary by the Sea membership voted to affiliate with the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA. Then in 1979, planning began for a new sanctuary to be situated where those attending worship services can look out over the beautiful seascape of Moanalua Bay. The facility opened in 1982.
In 1991, the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) was renovated to provide space for ANC's program. Today, Angel Network Charities focuses exclusively on feeding and nourishing our 'Ohana in partnership with other ministries and organizations. The need for nourishment has grown steadily over the years, and grew exponentially during the covid-19 global pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, ANC was providing food weekly for more than 1,000 families. Today they feed nearly 3,000 families per week!
Early in Pastor Olsen's 34 years as senior pastor, Calvary started a preschool with 30 students and 2 teachers. The school later became a Montessori School and its enrollment increased to nearly 70 students shortly before covid restrictions went into effect. At about the same time, Calvary began offering weddings to couples in Hawaii, the continent USA and countries around the world, another program that continues to this day (with a pause during the covid global pandemic.) In 2004, Tim Mason began a 14-year term as senior pastor. After a two-and-a-half-year interim process and a global pandemic, Calvary by the Sea called a new a pastor.
In early 2021, Calvary by the Sea’s current pastor, Moses Barrios, arrived with bold intentions to extend Christ’s love and grace in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi through the called people of God at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Since Pastor Mosesʻ arrival to the congregation, CBTS has boldly embodied its mission and values; uplifting the inclusion of the LGBTQI community, becoming known for its bold inclusivity, intersectionality and advocacy. Nearly 20% of todayʻs congregation identifies as queer and trans. Thanks be to God!
CBTS is living with intentionality by nourishing the island through Angel Network Charities Food Bank, becoming the islandʻs largest food bank during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. And seeking to be involved in advocacy and social change through Faith Action Hawaiʻi and other advocacy organizations. Thanks be to God!
As a result, CBTS has exponentially grown in participation and spirituality, adding more than 150 new members and supporters to the spiritual family and tripling in Sunday worship attendance during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. Such growth gave birth to ʻOhana Groups, our small groups that encourage community and relationship, and Pride Connection, a ministry led by our queer and trans community and welcoming of allies. Thanks be to God!
Certainly, the trajectory for most of the American Christian Church is declining in worship attendance, aging, homogenizing and plainly put, becoming irrelevant. Nonetheless, Pastor Moses’ vision to see unity and diversity in race and ethnicity within a historically predominantly euro-centric congregation like CBTS and a denomination like the ELCA has authentically become a reality. More than 50% of todayʻs congregation is made up of people of color (B.B.I.P.O.C.) making it truly a multi-ethnic congregation. Thanks be to God!
In addition, our Executive Committee and Congregational Council has called a robust and experienced group of leaders, directors and ministers to assist with the growth of ministry and spiritual formation. And with the core values of inclusion, intentionality and involvement CBTS continues to prioritize young people and young families with children and youth, a demographic sorely missing from the congregation prior to Pastor Mosesʻ arrival.
In 2024, CBTS was recognized and celebrated as a top 20 ELCA congregation in the nation, among 9,300 congregations excelling in multiethnic and intersectional ministry. A case study and interview of CBTS was completed by DataWise Consulting in order to gain knowledge and outcomes to share with other ELCA congregations across the nation. We are very proud and excited about this movement of God among us! The divine is flowing in Honolulu Hawaiʻi! History will continue to be made in the coming years as CBTS enters the flow that is healing and reconciling of all creation, where everything is being made new. Amen!
