Church Formation
(L to R: Dr. Mick Noel, Elder Roland Hardee, Elder Jay Dobbins, Elder Doug Canup and Interim Pastor David Phillips)
Our church began as Brasstown Valley Church in Young Harris, GA in the home of Pastor Karl Berndt. It was first incorporated on November 20, 2007. Later it moved to Hiawassee and was renamed Calvary Church. When Pastor Berndt moved to Virginia where his wife's family lived, the church went without a Pastor for almost 18 months. During this time, various members conducted the services each Sunday. Without resources to find a new pastor, Roland Hardee, a retired C&MA pastor and member of our congregation, reached out to the Christian and Missionary Alliance on June 1, 2015 for assistance in finding a pastor.
On July 28, 2015, a small group of believers met with Dr Mick Noel, District Superintendent of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) organization to consider affiliating with the C&MA. After a question and answer session, the group voted to become an affiliate member of the C&MA. Dr. Noel then met with the full church congregation on August 16, 2015 to present us with our Affiliation agreement which was made effective July 28, 2015. On September 13, 2015, the C&MA sent Pastor David Phillips to serve as our interim pastor and to help our church get properly organized while we searched for a permanent pastor. Pastor Phillips served as our Interim from September 13, 2015 until October 29, 2016.
After a diligent search for a new pastor, Pastor Brian Schmidt accepted the call to our church to be our permanent Pastor on September 19, 2016 with a start date the first Sunday in October. On October 30, 2016, an installation service was held for Pastor Brian. After formally adopting new Bylaws in accordance with the Christian and Missionary Alliance structure and filing the appropriate amendments with the Georgia Secretary of State, we officially became Calvary Alliance Church of Hiawassee and an accredited member of the C&MA.
Pastor Brian and his wife Debbie currently live in Young Harris, GA. . They have 2 adult sons and 2 adult daughters, all who are married.
Below are the Charter members of our church.
From Left to Right: Interim Pastor David Phillips, Karen Phillips, Keith Wall, Carnie Wall, Jay Dobbins, Dede Dobbins, Angie ?, Doug Canup, Paula Canup, Barbara Hardee, Roland Hardee, ? Groza, Maureen Groza, Christie Schuster, Robbyn Allen, Nancy Simile, Rich Simile, Michael Borkman, and Tim Groza.
Pastor Brian Schmidt is installed as the pastor of Calvary Alliance. His wife Debbie is by his side.