Chet Lowe

Chet Lowe was born in the Bahamas and raised in a home where faith was woven into everyday life. His parents, Ira and Pam, demonstrated their beliefs through service, care for others, and a steady commitment to God. Their example shaped Chet from an early age. At seven, he organized a Vacation Bible School in his parents’ garage. Though small in scale, it was a meaningful start that pointed to a life of purpose in ministry. Growing up alongside his siblings, Susan and Matthew, Chet experienced firsthand the strength of a family rooted in love, faith, and responsibility. These early years gave him a sense of direction that would guide him into a calling that involved not just preaching or programs but a life devoted to helping others wherever the need arose. As a teenager, Chet began stepping into international missions. At thirteen, he traveled to South Korea to help build a church. A year later, he was in Liberia assisting with constructing a school. These trips gave him a broader view of the world and confirmed that ministry wasn’t limited to one place. It required showing up, even when the work was difficult, or the surroundings were unfamiliar. In 1994, Chet married Andrea. One year later, they moved to Liberia with their newborn child. At the time, Liberia was in the midst of a civil war. Life was unstable and often dangerous, but Chet and Andrea remained committed to being present and useful in the lives of those they were there to serve. Their time in Liberia was filled with challenges but brought deep meaning and growth. During those years, they helped plant 17 churches and started Joseph’s Brethren, a ministry focused on rescuing children affected by war. More than 1,500 children were taken in through this effort, many of whom were former child soldiers. They were placed in foster homes and rehabilitation centers where they could find safety, structure, and care. This work was never about scale but about treating every life with dignity. Chet and Andrea’s family also grew during that time. They had five biological children—some born during their years in Liberia and others after returning to the United States. In addition, they welcomed four more children into their home through adoption and mentorship. Their family became a reflection of the values they lived out each day: making room for others, offering support, and remaining faithful in both small and large acts of service. After returning to the U.S., Chet began serving at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, a church he had long been connected to. Over nearly 30 years, he led ministries that served families, couples, singles, foster care communities, and global missions. He also earned a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling, recognizing the importance of being able to walk with people through life’s most difficult seasons. Chet’s ministry approach has always been relational—offering presence, support, and understanding more than instruction. In 2005, he founded Patmos: Reality Discipleship, a young adult program focused on spiritual formation and lived faith. The program expanded to Brazil, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and other locations. Through Patmos, Chet mentored many young men and women, one of whom became like a son to him. These relationships reminded him that ministry often happens through quiet consistency rather than big moments. In 2011, Chet experienced personal tragedy. His younger brother, a Navy Lieutenant, died in a plane crash. Over the next few years, Chet also lost his father and his uncle. These losses brought deep sorrow, but he chose not to retreat. He continued to serve, teach, and counsel others while walking through his grief with honesty and faith. In 2015, sensing a new chapter, Chet and his family moved to Southern California. He became the lead pastor at Coast Hills Church in Aliso Viejo, helping to stabilize and guide the church through important transitions. In 2021, he accepted a new Calvary Chapel South Bay leadership role. Under his guidance, the church embraced a new identity as Calvary LIFE, focused on four core values: learning God’s Word, investing in relationships, following Jesus, and engaging the world. Pastor Chet Lowe lives with Andrea and their children in San Pedro, California. Together, they lead Calvary LIFE, which is active in local outreach programs like feeding the homeless, serving victims of human trafficking, and supporting the prison ministry. The church also partners with over 30 international missions, extending its commitment to service across the globe. Even with decades of ministry behind him, Chet remains focused on personal discipleship, biblical counseling, and walking closely with those needing care. As 2025 brings several milestones—marking 30 years since his work in Liberia, 20 years of Patmos, and 45 years of Calvary LIFE—he remains grounded in the same simple commitment that started in his parent’s garage: to say yes to God, one step at a time, and serve others with humility and faithfulness.