Governor and Mrs. Carcieri Attend Kick Off Event for 40 Days of Community Campaign

February 19, 2006, PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Calvary Baptist Church launched a Spiritual Growth Campaign called "Forty Days of Community" at the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, February 19. The purpose of the campaign is to deepen the sense of community among the members and increase the church's service to the community around the church.

As part of the Kick-off Event, Governor Carcieri and Susan Carcieri attended the service and luncheon following the service. Fellowship meals at Calvary are always special because the congregation's members are from the United States and eight other countries.

This campaign is based on God's purposes in the world as described in the best-selling book by Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life. This book has sold over 23 million copies world-wide. Calvary is initiating a small group ministry and assisting families who will be living at Crossroads, which has purchased the building across the street from the church in the former Juhlin-Pearson Funeral Home.

Last year Calvary had a successful Capital Campaign and received pledges from members and friends of over $180,000 for the restoration of the building. The church's one hundred year old building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building serves as a daily resource to the community through the services and programs provided by South Providence Neighborhood Ministries, which is housed in the church. It is also the home of Iglesia Bautista Hispana el Calvario, a Spanish-speaking congregation.

Reverend Linda Spoolstra, the pastor, said, "We are expecting God to do new things through this campaign. We hope our church will not be the same after it is over. Having Governor and Mrs. Carcieri with us as we launched Forty Days of Community made it a very special day for us."

"Since its inception, the Calvary Baptist Church has been deeply devoted to assisting those who are most vulnerable and enhancing the quality of life in our state," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. "My wife, Sue, and I visited this Church last fall and we were inspired by the spirit of this congregation. Addressing the complex issue of homeless is one of my top priorities. It's gratifying to see a community working together to provide support to families who are most vulnerable. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Reverend Linda Spoolstra and the congregation of the Calvary Baptist Church for their great efforts."