It started in a NW Calgary living room in 2007: a handful of believers and a conviction that God’s Word, taught faithfully, would change lives.
Eighteen years on, three campuses across two countriesThe story so far
Mountain Springs through the years.
The First Living Room
Pastor Joel Turner gathered a handful of believers in a NW Calgary living room. Verse-by-verse Bible teaching from week one. The room was small, the conviction was big.
Hunger for Scripture
The early gatherings were marked by hunger for the Word and a deep sense of God’s presence. The congregation grew steadily as God added to the church.
A Home on Brentwood
Mountain Springs settled into its Brentwood Road home in NW Calgary. Springs Cafe opened, House of Refuge was launched as a local outreach, and a robust Kids and Youth ministry took shape.
The Cochrane Campus
Responding to the growth of the Cochrane community, Mountain Springs launched its second campus. Sunday afternoon services at the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary, same DNA as Calgary.
San Jose del Cabo
God expanded the vision internationally with Mountain Springs San Jose del Cabo. Currently gathering mid-construction in a downtown storefront while the chapel building takes shape.
Three Campuses, One Conviction
Across Calgary, Cochrane, and San Jose del Cabo we keep teaching the Word verse-by-verse, planting the gospel deep, and watching God write the next chapter.
The founder
From comedian to church planter.
Prior to the Lord’s calling him into the ministry, Joel was a comedian in western Canada. After coming to Christ, he entered into full-time ministry in North Carolina and later moved home to serve as youth and young adult pastor at a Calvary Chapel here in Calgary before eventually planting Mountain Springs.
Joel released his first book, Humor Me, in 2020 and now shares insights on humour, evangelism, and public speaking. He is married to Tania and they homeschool four kids: Chloe, Tatum, Roman, and Cruz.
Meet the Whole Team →- Comedian Western Canada Before ministry, Joel worked as a comedian in western Canada.
- Came to Christ He came to faith in Jesus, and the Lord called him into ministry.
- Full-time ministry North Carolina He entered full-time ministry in North Carolina.
- Youth and young adult pastor Calgary He moved home to serve youth and young adults at a Calvary Chapel in Calgary.
- 2007 Planted Mountain Springs NW Calgary A handful of believers in a living room, with verse-by-verse teaching from week one.
- 2020 Wrote Humor Me His first book, on humour, evangelism and public speaking.
Part of a Larger Family
The Calvary Chapel movement.
Calvary Chapel began in 1965 in Costa Mesa, California, founded by Pastor Chuck Smith. It grew through the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and 1970s, drawing young people through contemporary worship and verse-by-verse Bible teaching.
Today the movement spans the globe. Mountain Springs is one of those churches: same Bible, same DNA, same heart for outsiders.
Want to be part of what is next?
Take your next step.
Whether it is your first Sunday or your tenth year here, there is always more.