About Us

First meeting in 1966, Calvary Baptist Church began as the East Side Mission in Elgin. In 1967 we incorporated as a church and changed our name to Calvary in remembrence of the source of our salvation.

Through the years Calvary has called several places home, finally settling into our building at 551 Arlington Avenue in 1980.

In 1977 God blessed us by sending the Reverend Tim Wills to pastor our flock. Pastor Wills retired in 2003 after 25 years of faithful service at Calvary.

In 2005, with God's guidance, Calvary called the Rev. Craig Furtick to shepherd the church. Pastor Craig, after much prayer and consideration of God’s direction for his life and ministry, resigned in March 2008.

Scott Ballance is a long standing member of Calvary Baptist Church. He began serving as Interim Pastor in January 2009, and was called to be the Bi-Vocational Pastor October 17, 2010. Scott and his wife Paula have 6 children, 3 girls and 3 boys. Several years ago they helped extended family from Cambodia come to America and became legal guardians of 3 teenage boys. One is now married; two still live with the Ballance family. Scott and Paula have a heart for the Lord and for people. The Ballance family is a blessing to Calvary Baptist Church.