Skip Heitzig
Encyclopedia
Skip Heitzig is the founder and senior pastor of Calvary of Albuquerque, a Calvary Chapel fellowship located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He's been described as a former marijuana smoking surfer dude. After experiments with astral projection
and New Age
thought, Heitzig was moved to become a Christian while watching a TV message by Billy Graham
. Shortly after this experience, Heitzig began to study under Pastor Chuck Smith
of Calvary Chapel
of Costa Mesa.
His early training in radiology was through UCLA which included an internship program at San Bernardino County Medical Center in San Bernardino, California. In 1981, Heitzig married his wife, Lenya, and together, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to continue his work in the medical field. Together, they have one son, Nathan.
After a brief pastorate in San Juan Capistrano (Ocean Hills, 2004-2006), Heitzig returned to Calvary of Albuquerque as senior pastor in 2006, following the resignation of the previous pastor, Pete Nelson.
Presently, Heitzig serves on several Board of Directors, including Samaritan's Purse.
Each year, Heitzig hosts a week long seminar of teachings at The Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina. He is also a frequent guest speaker at Franklin Graham Festivals and Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie.
Heitzig earned his B.A. and M.A from Trinity Seminary
, Newberg, Indiana. In 2009, he was given an honorary doctorate of Divinity by the Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary in Cochin, India.
How To Study the Bible and Enjoy It (Tyndale House
, 1996)
Jesus Up Close (Tyndale House
, 2001)
When God Prays (Tyndale House
, 2003).
Encounter: Face 2 Face with Jesus (Bridge-Logos, 2009).
GodPrint (Bridge-Logos, 2009).
The Daily God Book (Tyndale House
, 2010).
Homeland Security (Bridge-Logos, 2010).
Heitzig can be heard throughout the United States and worldwide on his radio broadcast, The Connection, as well as various cable and internet-based television channels (His Channel, KNET)
Lively Hearts (1999)
Everywhere I Go (2000)
Heitzig wrote the lyrics to the modern hymn (with Brian Nixon
), Gloria Exaltus (2008) which was released on the album, Stars Shine Bright.
, as well as the documentary, The Jesus Boat (2009). In 2010, Heitzig released two additional documentaries, Shattered and Riptide. Additionally, Heitzig has been a featured guest on several documentaries and video teachings, most notable among them, A Venture in Faith with Chuck Smith
(1990).
Personal
A native of Southern California, Heitzig has three siblings (his brother, Bob, died in a motorcycle accident in 1975).He's been described as a former marijuana smoking surfer dude. After experiments with astral projection
Astral projection
Astral projection is an interpretation of out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of an "astral body" separate from the physical body and capable of traveling outside it...
and New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
thought, Heitzig was moved to become a Christian while watching a TV message by Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
. Shortly after this experience, Heitzig began to study under Pastor Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith (pastor)
Charles Ward “Chuck” Smith, , is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement...
of Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel is an evangelical association of Christian churches with over one thousand congregations worldwide. Calvary Chapel also maintains a number of radio stations around the world and operates many local Calvary Chapel Bible College programs. It presents itself as a "fellowship of...
of Costa Mesa.
His early training in radiology was through UCLA which included an internship program at San Bernardino County Medical Center in San Bernardino, California. In 1981, Heitzig married his wife, Lenya, and together, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to continue his work in the medical field. Together, they have one son, Nathan.
Ministry
In 1982, Heitzig began a home Bible study that eventually grew into Calvary of Albuquerque. In 1988 and 1989, Calvary of Albuquerque was listed as one of the fastest growing churches in America. In 2009, Calvary of Albuquerque was listed as one of the 15 largest churches in America with an average weekend attendance of 13,000.After a brief pastorate in San Juan Capistrano (Ocean Hills, 2004-2006), Heitzig returned to Calvary of Albuquerque as senior pastor in 2006, following the resignation of the previous pastor, Pete Nelson.
Presently, Heitzig serves on several Board of Directors, including Samaritan's Purse.
Each year, Heitzig hosts a week long seminar of teachings at The Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina. He is also a frequent guest speaker at Franklin Graham Festivals and Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie.
Education
Heitzig attended Victor Valley Community College in California and UCLA to gain his degree in radiology.Heitzig earned his B.A. and M.A from Trinity Seminary
Trinity Seminary
Trinity Seminary may refer to:*Most Holy Trinity Seminary, a Traditionalist Catholic seminary in Florida.*Holy Trinity Seminary, a Roman Catholic seminary in Texas.*Holy Trinity College and Seminary, a Southern Episcopal seminary in Florida....
, Newberg, Indiana. In 2009, he was given an honorary doctorate of Divinity by the Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary in Cochin, India.
Controversy
Heitzig has been publicly criticized for totalitarian leadership and a lack of fiscal accountability in connection with his 2004 departure from Calvary Chapel Albuquerque.Publishing and Media
Heitzig is the author of several books and booklets. Of his noted works:How To Study the Bible and Enjoy It (Tyndale House
Tyndale House
Tyndale House is a publisher founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor, in order to publish his paraphrase of the Epistles, which he had composed while commuting to work at Moody Press in Chicago. The book appeared under the title Living Letters, and received a television endorsement from Billy Graham...
, 1996)
Jesus Up Close (Tyndale House
Tyndale House
Tyndale House is a publisher founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor, in order to publish his paraphrase of the Epistles, which he had composed while commuting to work at Moody Press in Chicago. The book appeared under the title Living Letters, and received a television endorsement from Billy Graham...
, 2001)
When God Prays (Tyndale House
Tyndale House
Tyndale House is a publisher founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor, in order to publish his paraphrase of the Epistles, which he had composed while commuting to work at Moody Press in Chicago. The book appeared under the title Living Letters, and received a television endorsement from Billy Graham...
, 2003).
Encounter: Face 2 Face with Jesus (Bridge-Logos, 2009).
GodPrint (Bridge-Logos, 2009).
The Daily God Book (Tyndale House
Tyndale House
Tyndale House is a publisher founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor, in order to publish his paraphrase of the Epistles, which he had composed while commuting to work at Moody Press in Chicago. The book appeared under the title Living Letters, and received a television endorsement from Billy Graham...
, 2010).
Homeland Security (Bridge-Logos, 2010).
Heitzig can be heard throughout the United States and worldwide on his radio broadcast, The Connection, as well as various cable and internet-based television channels (His Channel, KNET)
Music
As a musician, songwriter, and producer, Heitzig has been featured on several musical projects. Of note:Lively Hearts (1999)
Everywhere I Go (2000)
Heitzig wrote the lyrics to the modern hymn (with Brian Nixon
Brian Nixon
Brian Charles Nixon is a television and radio host, author, minister, journalist, and former rock musician of the rock band, The Electra.- Life :...
), Gloria Exaltus (2008) which was released on the album, Stars Shine Bright.
T.V and Documentaries
Heitzig hosted the best selling video documentary Epicenter (Tyndale 2007), with best-selling author, Joel C. RosenbergJoel C. Rosenberg
Joel C. Rosenberg is an American communications strategist, author of the Last Jihad series, and founder of The Joshua Fund...
, as well as the documentary, The Jesus Boat (2009). In 2010, Heitzig released two additional documentaries, Shattered and Riptide. Additionally, Heitzig has been a featured guest on several documentaries and video teachings, most notable among them, A Venture in Faith with Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith (pastor)
Charles Ward “Chuck” Smith, , is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa and the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement...
(1990).
External links
- The Connection http://www.connectionradio.org/
- Skip Heitzig.com http://www.skipheitzig.com/
- Calvary of Albuquerque http://www.calvaryabq.org/
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association http://www.billygraham.org/
- Samaritan's Purse http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
- His Channel http://www.hischannel.com/