Chet Lowe

Senior Pastor of Calvary LIFE Church & Author

Chet Lowe was born in the Bahamas and raised in a home where the Christian faith was central to everyday life. His parents, Ira and Pam, lived their beliefs quietly and consistently, showing their children what it meant to serve others with love and purpose. From an early age, Chet was drawn to ministry. He organized a Vacation Bible School in his family’s garage when he was seven. That simple effort began a lifelong commitment to helping others and sharing the message of hope.

Chet grew up alongside his siblings, Susan and Matthew, in a family environment that valued compassion, humility, and faithfulness. His parents didn’t seek attention for their service, and that mindset shaped Chet’s approach to leadership and ministry. What mattered most was being available and faithful, even in small ways.

Chet began participating in missions that took him beyond the Bahamas as a teenager. He traveled to South Korea at thirteen to assist with a church construction project. A year later, he went to Liberia to help build a school. These early trips confirmed that he was called to serve wherever needed, regardless of comfort or convenience. It was never about where he went but who he could help along the way.

In 1994, Chet married Andrea. Just a year later, they moved to Liberia during the civil war. They brought their newborn child and entered a country where life was uncertain and often dangerous. Still, they believed they were meant to be there. Their goal was simple: to serve the people around them with care and consistency, no matter how hard the circumstances became.

While living in Liberia, Chet and Andrea helped plant 17 churches and founded Joseph’s Brethren, a ministry focused on rescuing children affected by the war. Over 1,500 children, many of them former child soldiers, were brought into safe environments. These children could heal and rebuild their lives through foster care and rehabilitation programs. Chet didn’t view this work as extraordinary—it was a natural response to a need right before him.

Their family grew during those years. Chet and Andrea eventually had five biological children, and after returning to the United States, they welcomed four more into their family through adoption and mentorship. Their home became an extension of their ministry, where others found belonging, support, and love.

Back in the U.S., Chet joined the Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale staff, a church he had attended before moving overseas. Over the next three decades, he led a variety of ministries, including those focused on families, foster care, singles, and missions. Wanting to better serve people facing personal struggles, Chet earned a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling. His approach to ministry was grounded in walking with people, not just teaching from a distance.

In 2005, Chet founded Patmos: Reality Discipleship, a program for young adults focused on spiritual growth and the real-life application of faith. The ministry expanded into multiple countries, including Brazil, El Salvador, and the Bahamas. Patmos impacted many young adults, and one in particular became like a son to Chet. These relationships reminded him that discipleship is more than structure—investing in people over time.

In 2011, Chet’s younger brother, a Navy Lieutenant, died in a plane crash. In the following years, Chet also lost his father and uncle. These personal losses brought grief, but they also deepened his compassion. Rather than stepping away from ministry, he continued serving others, teaching God’s Word, and offering quiet support to struggling people.

2015, Chet and his family moved to Southern California, sensing a new chapter ahead. He became the lead pastor of Coast Hills Church in Aliso Viejo, guiding the church through a season of change. In 2021, he was invited to lead Calvary Chapel South Bay. Under his leadership, the church was renamed Calvary LIFE, with a renewed mission focused on four values: learning God’s Word, investing in relationships, following Christ, and engaging the world.

Pastor Chet Lowe lives with Andrea and their children in San Pedro, California. Together, they lead Calvary LIFE, a church active in local and international outreach. Their efforts include feeding the homeless, combating human trafficking, supporting prison ministry, and partnering with over 30 global missions.

Chet continues to disciple others, offer counseling, and remain present in the lives of those around him. As 2025 brings significant milestones—30 years since his mission in Liberia, 20 years of Patmos, and 45 years of Calvary LIFE—he remains focused on what still lies ahead. For Chet, the ministry has never been about recognition. It’s about staying faithful, showing up, and saying yes to the work God places in front of him—one person, one moment, and one step at a time.

Faith in Every Page – Living Parable by Chet Lowe: https://chetlowe.com/living-parable-book/