About Calvary

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Who is Calvary Baptist Church Lakeland?

Calvary Baptist Church is an independent, fundamental, family-friendly church celebrating over 75 years of proclaiming Jesus Christ in the Lakeland area.

We are a church that offers a variety of classes and activities for all ages.

The Word of God is preached each Sunday and Wednesday to build up and strengthen the believers and bring lost people to a realization of their need for Jesus Christ.

If you are looking for a church you can call home and a place to worship and serve the Lord, this is it.

What do we Believe?

In brief .. God’s Word fully. That the Bible is from God which is of supreme and final authority in faith and life. Read more about why we believe this way and our Statement of Faith here >.

What's in store for the future?

More than ever, Calvary Baptist Church Lakeland is committed to building a family built around hope, strength, and community.

As crazy as times have become we look to be a beacon of hope for the future. We want to see Jesus move in ways never before and to see that we must do our part.

As we move forward as a church family, inclusion and belonging remain at the center of who we are as followers of Christ. Making disciples telling the world of the “Real Change” that is possible and is to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunday services start with Sunday School at 9:30 am, then followed by our main Sunday morning service at 10:30 am in the auditorium and our evening service starting at 5:30 pm in the main auditorium.

Livestream is available for all services except Sunday School.

Glad you asked. We have a dedicated team here to help you get the most out of your visit here at Calvary. Click here to schedule>.

Absolutely! We have classes for all age groups beginning from New Born all the way through Senior ages. From Sunday Schools classes, to programs and ministries. Here at Calvary, we strive to make sure everyone has the ability to feel included.

We have many ministries members of our church have the opportunity to serve in. Music Ministry, Children’s ministry, teen ministry, Senior ministry, and many others. Learn more about the opportunities we have for you to serve here.>

Meet our Team

Pastor Shane Skelton

Head Pastor - Calvary Lakeland
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Breeze Kennedy

Worship Leader & Music Director
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Bill Erow

Care Director
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Kuranda Robertson

Pastor's Assistant
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Joe Demarest

Discipleship Director
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J.D. Lewis

Director of Student Ministries
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Mark Pate

Youth Director
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Debi Filmore

Church Receptionist
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Pastor Shane Skelton

HEAD PASTOR - CALVARY LAKELAND

Pastor Skelton has a passion for the glory of God. His heart is to see Calvary reach the world for Christ. Through sound biblical preaching and sacrificial giving, Pastor Skelton desires to share the message of God’s saving grace.He desires for our church to be satisfied in Christ alone, and to be filled with the grace of our great God. He has challenged Calvary to be a faith-based ministry reaching out and targeting the unreached peoples of the world. Pastor Skelton is a strong dynamic leader who inspires others to reach their full potential for Christ.

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Breeze Kennedy

WORSHIP LEADER & MUSIC DIRECTOR

Mr. Breeze Kennedy graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.A. in Music. He has been the Choral Director and chairperson for the fine arts department at the Calvary Baptist Church Academy since 2005 and the Music Minister at Calvary Baptist beginning in 2006. Breeze has a passion for drawing hearts toward Christ through vibrant, God-honoring worship and teaching today’s generation to be passionate about music. Breeze is an active member of the Florida Music Educators Association and the Florida Vocal Association.

Email Breeze

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Bill Erow

CARE DIRECTOR

Brother Bill Erow was saved in VBS at the age of 8 years old and brought up in a Christian home. In 1974 he attended Trinity College in Dunedin, Florida, later enlisted, and after 20 years in the field of finance with the Air Force, retired in 1995. In 2010, he and his wife completed 3 years of Bible studies and received their diplomas from Faith Bible Institute. He is working on continued studies online through the Center for Expository Bible Preaching (CFEBP) in North Carolina. His burden is for the senior population, their spiritual experience, and assurance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill assisted Pastor Skelton through two previous ministries before coming to Calvary in 2011.

Email Bill

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Kuranda Robertson

Pastor's Assistant

Ms. Kuranda Robertson grew up in Gilford, New Hampshire and moved to Florida at eight years of age. She graduated high school from Calvary Baptist Church Academy in 2008 and came on staff as Pastor’s Assistant in 2010. Kuranda has a strong passion for spreading the Gospel and bringing glory to God in any way possible.

Email Kuranda

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Joe Demarest

Discipleship Director

Bro. Joe was saved at age 9 and raised in a Godly home. After graduating from Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, Michigan, Joe and his wife, Janice, served at the First Baptist Church of Milford, Ohio for many years. The Demarests joined Calvary Baptist on the first Sunday in June of 2012. They have two adult children, Matt the oldest, and Melody, who lives in Lakeland with her husband Phil. Joe loves music, desires to share the good news of the Gospel with others, and to disciple new believers into a life that will bring glory to God.

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J.D. Lewis

Director of Student Ministries

J. D. and Kim Lewis are not total strangers to Calvary.  They ministered here with us in 2008-2012 when fulfilling the roles of Director of Student Ministries and Athletic Director.   The couple looks back on those as really great years.  However, the Lord had plans of new roles to fill, challenges to overcome, and lessons to learn for their family in Statesboro, Ga.   J. D. was called initially to fill an Assistant Pastor and Youth Pastor role and Kim was an officer manager for the Christian school.  

Currently, J. D. is finishing this chapter of life as a Law Enforcement Officer.  Since around 2010, J. D. had been burdened to minister outside “normal ministry walls” and prayed desiring Army Chaplaincy.  God confirmed the burden but in time revealed the execution of His will for J. D. to work through Police Chaplaincy.  J. D. did this by becoming a certified Peace Officer and working for 6 years as a Patrol Officer and Corporal.  Wanting to stand with and reach all officers including those answering the most dangerous calls, he made it through the selection process and joined the department’s SWAT team. 

The Lewis family feels this opportunity to come back to Calvary answered a lot of prayers and felt like perfect timing.   J. D. enjoys encouraging and equipping others toward success and is why he enjoys teaching, coaching, mentoring, etc.

Additionally, their two children keep them (especially Kim) busy.  Ansley (born in Lakeland) will turn 10 in May and likes art and music.  Andrew is 8 and likes all things Nerf and also basketball.  The Lewis family is excited to be coming back to Calvary!

Email J.D.

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Mark Pate

Youth Director

Mark Pate is native of Northwest Florida and he had the privilege of growing up in a Pastor’s home. He was saved at the age of twenty one and accepted the call to preach in 2007. He has worked for Centurylink for the past fifteen years while serving as Youth and Music Director for the past nine years. In 2010 he completed three years of Bible studies and received his diploma from Faith Bible Institute. Bro. Mark has a compassionate spirit and a fervent desire to see youth come to know Christ and apply Biblical principles to their lives. Bro. Mark and his wife Miranda have two daughters, Kaylee & Khloe.

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Debi Filmore

Church Receptionist

A native of Polk County Florida, Debi Filmore came to Calvary Baptist Church in the late 60s as a bus kid. Debi has been married to Larry Filmore for 42 years, mother of 2 sons, 1 daughter-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. She was saved at the age of 13 and began serving in the bus ministry and soul-winning programs at a young age as well as serving in the Sunday School departments for ages 5 up to Senior High School. She has served in the choir and nursery, and has directed the ladies ministry. Her prayer is that her life and service will be Christ-honoring, leading others to the Savior.