Pastor Phil & Rebecca McKay
Pastor Phil was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Clark County Hospital. He was born again just four years later in Yerington, NV, when a traveling evangelist spoke at his family’s church.
He knew that he needed Jesus as His Lord and Savior and didn’t want to be judged for all eternity in hell. At five years old he was baptized; then at just nine years old, he received a very distinct calling from the Lord to be a “preacher.” In fact, Pastor Phil preached his first sermon as a nine year old boy in a small church near Winnemucca, NV. Later, he attended Fernley High School and graduated with the class of ’96. Next, he joined the Marine Corps where he went on a tour throughout Asia and the Middle East. Although he was staged on the border of Iraq in 1998, he did not see any combat action during his four years with the Marines. During his third year in the Marines, Phil had a moment where God challenged him to “choose this day whom you will serve.” Because He couldn’t deny God’s love for him, he chose to stop playing games with his faith and to live for Christ. After he finished his tour of duty, he was offered a position on staff at Calvary Chapel Vista, in Vista, CA, working under Pastor Rob Salvato. It was during his time there that God brought him his best friend and beautiful bride, Rebecca. They were married on July 6, 2002, and then led the College and Career group for the next four years. Phil and Rebecca both felt God calling them to plant a church in Costa Rica, and in 2006 they sold most of their belongings and moved to Tamarindo, Costa Rica. They started Calvary Chapel Villarreal by God’s grace, and nine years later turned the church over to Pastor Jose Francisco Moreira (a Costa Rican), one of the men that God raised up there. Pastor Phil then served as the Senior Pastor for Calvary Chapel Paris, in Texas for five years. While in Texas, he was able to complete a two year online Bible College program under Pastor Scott Thom of Cross Christian Fellowship, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He and Rebecca both are grateful for the time they had in Texas, where God taught them many lessons in ministry and brought many wonderful people into their lives. Now God has called the McKay family back to Nevada, where it all started! Phil and Rebecca have five children: Eden, Ezekiel, Elijah, Ezra Cyrus, and Joel.
History
Founding Pastor Tom Luitwieler and his wife Sandie got saved in Southern California.
They attended Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa for a while, and in 1981 moved to Moreno Valley, California. They moved thinking it was simply to have their own home, but the Lord had other plans. It was at the Calvary Chapel in Moreno Valley that Tom and Sandie began to grow in the Lord. Encouraged by the strong teaching ministry of Pastor John Millhouse, Tom began to study the Word of God for himself.
Eventually Pastor John asked Tom to lead a Sunday evening home fellowship. It was there that God began to hone Tom's teaching skills. Pastor John encouraged Tom to attend the Pastor's School at Calvary Chapel of West Covina with Raul Ries. It was then that Tom realized that God was calling him to be a pastor.
After serving the Lord at Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley for ten years, Tom and Sandie moved to Sparks, Nevada to see what the Lord wanted to do. They started a home bible study in Spanish Springs, and eventually moved the Bible Study to a pre-school in Sparks, and started Sunday morning services as Calvary Chapel of Reno Sparks in 1993.
Pastor Tom faithfully taught the Word of God and loved the people for 28 years. On July 1, 2020, Pastor Tom transitioned the church to Nevada native, Phil McKay
They attended Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa for a while, and in 1981 moved to Moreno Valley, California. They moved thinking it was simply to have their own home, but the Lord had other plans. It was at the Calvary Chapel in Moreno Valley that Tom and Sandie began to grow in the Lord. Encouraged by the strong teaching ministry of Pastor John Millhouse, Tom began to study the Word of God for himself.
Eventually Pastor John asked Tom to lead a Sunday evening home fellowship. It was there that God began to hone Tom's teaching skills. Pastor John encouraged Tom to attend the Pastor's School at Calvary Chapel of West Covina with Raul Ries. It was then that Tom realized that God was calling him to be a pastor.
After serving the Lord at Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley for ten years, Tom and Sandie moved to Sparks, Nevada to see what the Lord wanted to do. They started a home bible study in Spanish Springs, and eventually moved the Bible Study to a pre-school in Sparks, and started Sunday morning services as Calvary Chapel of Reno Sparks in 1993.
Pastor Tom faithfully taught the Word of God and loved the people for 28 years. On July 1, 2020, Pastor Tom transitioned the church to Nevada native, Phil McKay