GUY ALTIZER

As a 36 yr. old married man and father of 3 boys, Guy Altizer was not the typical college student when he entered Bob Jones University. God had called this ex-Air Force serviceman to the ministry! After serving in England he and his wife, Cookie, had been transferred to a base in Minot, MN. In 1965, a co-worker had finally convinced him to go to church and he and Cookie were saved in that service.

After the military he moved his family to Gray, TN, to teach computers in an electronics company and became involved in Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church, where, under the ministry of Dr. Gene Lasley, he received the call to preach. So in 1976, it was off to BJU in Greenville, SC, studying for school and working to support a family was not easy, but yet a necessity. God led Guy to a janitorial job at Southside Baptist Church. This was not just by chance but it was a divine arrangement: After graduation he was ordained to preach the Gospel at Southside and soon became Minister of Outreach and Minister of Senior Adults (the original Caleb’s Kin.)

His outreach ministry took him to a visitation and soulwinning project in nearby Simpsonville, SC, where it became apparent that a new church should be planted. Southside-Simpsonville was started in Feb. 1985, with Guy as pastor. This work grew rapidly and regularly, saw souls being saved . By July, 1987, it was obvious that the church could continue independently, and Calvary Baptist Church was chartered with 295 members.

The tremendous growth required expansion in a new location, and God wonderfully allowed the purchase of property in what would shortly be the fastest growing area in upstate SC. The church now occupies 22 prime acres, has soulwinning and programs for all ages and has also increased attendance to 750. Missions and church planting have always been close to Guy and Cookie’s hearts. Under Pastor Altizer's (now Pastor Emeritus) leadership the church supported more than 52 missionaries in the US and in foreign lands. Calvary Baptist has always been know as the church with the "heart". Guy Altizer's vision for missions and soulwinning continues on to this day.