The Jesus Movement, Revival, and a Life of Faith | My Final Interview with Chuck Smith
What does it mean to leave an eternal legacy? In this unforgettable episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with Pastor Chuck Smith—the visionary founder of Calvary Chapel and often called “the father of the Jesus Movement”—for a profound, personal conversation recorded live at Harvest Orange County in 2012.
Together, Greg and Chuck delve into Chuck’s journey from boyhood in Ventura, California, to his pivotal decision to pursue ministry over medicine, trusting God for an impact that would last beyond this life. Chuck shares candid stories about his family, his marriage to Kay (his partner of 63 years!), and the unimaginable pain of losing loved ones—all woven together by faith, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to God’s Word.
You’ll discover surprising insights, such as the astonishing miracle that changed Chuck’s family forever, the real story behind Calvary Chapel’s explosive growth and birth of contemporary Christian music, and how Chuck remained calm in the face of death, cancer, and seemingly impossible storms. Pastor Greg and Chuck also revisit the origins of the Jesus Movement, the importance of supporting each other through suffering, and what truly sustains a lifelong marriage and ministry.
This episode is filled with wisdom, humor, and hope for anyone facing challenges, questioning their purpose, or simply longing for inspiration. If you’ve ever wondered how ordinary faith becomes extraordinary legacy, you’ll find answers here.
Don’t miss Chuck’s heartfelt prayer and his favorite hymn, “The Love of God,” as the perfect close to a conversation about running life’s race and finishing well.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Kay Smith’s Burden for Hippie Youth
02:08 Everything in Life Is Preparation
04:46 Sister’s Healing and Mother’s Vow
08:12 Chuck’s Personal Encounter with God at Age 14
10:19 "One Life, Soon Past—Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last"
13:55 Meeting Kay: A Misplaced Car and Love at First Sight
16:13 Secret to a Long Marriage: Christ at the Center
18:25 The Infamous Boulder Incident
21:00 Losing Father and Brother: Processing Tragedy and Faith
24:26 Never Trade What You Know for What You Don’t Know
26:41 Calvary Chapel: From Small Church to Jesus Movement
33:33 Lonnie Frisbee’s Impact & Hippie Revival Explosion
41:37 Calvary Chapel Expands: Birth of Contemporary Worship
42:13 Cancer Diagnosis: Chuck’s Peace and Perspective on Death
45:03 Best Decision: Marrying Kay
46:28 Most Embarrassing Moment: “Blessed Out of My Gourd” in New Guinea
47:08 First Sermon and Last Sermon Themes
49:47 Three Reasons for Preaching Christ’s Return
52:02 Heroes: Billy Graham and the Power of Sacrifice
53:52 How Chuck Wants to Be Remembered
54:39 Chuck Sings “The Love of God”
57:40 Final Wisdom: Holding to an Unchanging Christ in Uncertain Times
58:39 Chuck’s Prayer for Listeners and the Future
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In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.
A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.
His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org
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