Our Story

On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

How it all started...

Maranatha Fellowship (formerly Calvary Chapel Omaha) began as an outreach ministry of Calvary Chapel North Phoenix in 1984.  Pastor Steve and Terri Johnson had fallen in love with the verse-by-verse Bible teaching of Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary  Chapel, Costa Mesa, CA. They felt the call to pioneer a new work in the Omaha area patterned after the Calvary Chapel vision, and were sent to begin their ministry in the Midwest. Pastor Steve Johnson taught a small group Bible study which eventually grew to become a congregation of faith in mid-town Omaha.

Maranatha Fellowship has at various times met in a bank, in homes, in a correctional facility, in community rooms, in the YMCA and in warehouse spaces. Still the Spirit of God has graciously been present at each of these locations. In 2002, the church purchased the former Pilgrim Lutheran church building which became our permanent facility in Olde Towne Bellevue, and has expanded our ability to minister to our community.

Pastor Steve has always had a heart for small towns, so the church has extended its ministry into many of the surrounding small communities, hosting Bible studies in Fremont, Lincoln, Auburn, Tarkio, Clarinda, Malvern, Nebraska City, and Hamburg at various times in its history. Our heart has always been to reach people with the Gospel and to be a light to communities that need to hear about Jesus Christ.

   

Expanding the vision...

The vision to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ into neighboring communities has been enhanced by the addition of Living Water Radio, KHLW 89.3FM and K255CJ 98.9FM, with the studio in the Bellevue church facility. This station began airing in April 2012 and offers verse-by-verse Bible teaching and contemporary Christian music 24/7.

Where we are headed...

Our goal is simple: to share the Gospel through verse-by-verse teaching with our community, to make disciples, and to help others live and love like Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit. We are always open to extending our ministry to other communities and understand that we must remain flexible to the guiding of the Spirit. We want to go wherever He will send us so that we can be used by Him to bring other people into the Kingdom. We invite you to be a part of this mission to spread His Word to all people! 

Be a part of our story...

Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 10:30 am.