Name:
Christopher Calabro
Birthplace:
Mineola, New York
Job title:
Senior Pastor – Spirit and Truth Ministries

How and when did you come to know the Lord?
I came to the Lord in 1998. I had been living my life my own way, getting myself involved in drugs and alcohol looking for something to fill the void in my life. That kept on leading me to a place of emptiness. I had always felt that God had something big for my life, however, I just figured He would wait until I was ready. God had other plans, and when I was in a place of brokenness and had nowhere else to look but up, I experienced the love and grace of God in a powerful way and committed my life to the Lord.

How and when did you become involved in Life ?
I became involved in Life when I went to Pinecrest Bible Training Center in Salisbury Center, New York in 1999. I wanted to grow in my relationship with God, and wanted to see what God had for me in Life, and that lead me to Pinecrest. It was there that I knew God had called me to the Life .  From there I became involved at Winston Park Church in Coconut Creek, Florida, in Men’s Life, evangelism and training others through various outreaches locally and overseas. I recently graduated from Cornerstone Global School of Life under Bishop Michael Pitts, which is a three year program.

What is your church doing that is exciting or unique?
We are a new church planted in South Florida and we are building a multi-ethnic church that has a kingdom culture, which is unique.  We are trying to build a church that looks like the kingdom – where all nations, tribes, kindred and tongues are represented in the House of the Lord. We have a national radio outreach program called Spirit and Truth with Christopher Calabro, locally airing on 1040AM weekdays  at 5:45 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Locally we have done some servant evangelism, handing out bottled water on the beaches, meeting people at the place of their need and praying for those that we come in contact with.

Best part of your job? 
The best part of being a pastor for me is seeing people’s lives change for the better. Seeing people get free from things that have been holding them for a long time, and then disciple them to walk in the victory we have in Christ. When someone that was lost comes into contact with the Lord – and with His love, grace, and mercy turns their life over to God – that makes my day.

Most difficult part of your job? 
One of the most difficult parts is when people move on to another place, or end up going somewhere else. I can get attached to people quickly, so if and when they leave, it hurts. And sometimes the one you do the most for, or poured the most into, are the ones that end up hurting you the most. That can be difficult.

If you weren’t a pastor, what would you like to be doing?
If I could travel the world ministering the gospel of the kingdom from place to place, that would be awesome. I love to minister and I love to travel, so if I could incorporate the two, that would be great.

Favorite quote or motto?
I have a few favorites. The first is from Winston Churchill, who said, “There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born….When they seize it, it is their finest hour.  In leadership, when to move is as important as what you do.” The second is from Blackie Sherrod: “History must repeat itself because we pay such little attention to it the first time.” Five minutes in an old book quickly reveals that most of what is being sold today as new insights into human behavior is merely the rediscovery of knowledge we have had for centuries.

Favorite Bible verse or area of scripture, and why?
I have several – Jeremiah 17:7 1 Timothy 1:12-15, Galatians 5:1, 1 John 5:4-5 and 2 Corinthians 2:14. These have been verses I have stood on through good times and tough times. They encourage me, and always speak to my faith to stand up!

Most influential person in your life?
Bishop Michael Pitts – he is my Pastor and Spiritual Father. His influence and Life has had and continues to have a powerful impact in my life. The fathering anointing on him has helped me become the man I am. His straight forwardness, and ability to always speak the truth in love, has helped to bring direction and correction to my life.

Favorite way to relax?
Golf is my favorite way to relax. I love to play the sport and to get out on the course and divert for a few hours. It is nice to get my mind off of everything and get on the green with some great company and have fun.

Favorite place to go for dinner? 
I have a few favorites, so it is tough to choose one. For steaks, I love Morton’s Steakhouse, and for Chinese it’s PF Chang’s.

What is the last book you read and what did you think of it?
The Wizard of Ads – This is a game changing book on insightful advertising, marketing, friendship and life.  As I found out, the book at its core is really about me. It touches on the power of words, groups of people, intellect and emotion, time and money, sight and sound, opportunity and security and the engagement of the imagination. I highly recommend it for anyone in a leadership role.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you?
A fishing pole, so I can eat, matches so I can light a fire, and a sharp knife for everything else.

What is the most interesting place you’ve visited, and why?
Kauai, Hawaii. It has the wettest spot on the earth in the middle of the island, where they get about 400 inches of rain a year, however, you can be on either side of it on the island, north or south, and be basking in the sunshine at the same time. The surf there is incredible, it is the place where the movie Soul Surfer took place, and we actually saw the main character surfing while dining on the beach. The coastline is the most beautiful that I have ever seen. It has the most amazing views and several terrains, including mountains, deserts and a rain forest all on the same island.

What encourages you the most/frustrates you the most about Christians in our world?
The most encouraging thing is that we as the body of Christ are about to experience the greatest move of God and harvest that the world have ever seen. We are sensing a multi-generational move of God, where sons and daughters shall prophecy, old men shall dream dreams, and young men shall see visions. I am encouraged to know that God will pour out his spirit upon all flesh, and the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall cover the earth.  What frustrates me the most is seeing people walking in defeat, rather than walking in the victory that we have in Christ.

What is something that God has been teaching you lately?
God has been speaking to me about “the fruits of our labor”. I preached this message on Labor Day weekend. “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown towards His name”.  I think we become discouraged when we think our efforts are not going to pay off. We all know, or will come to know, that there are no short cuts in God. To have anything great, it is going to take some labor and travail to get there. But God is a rewarder for those who diligently seek Him. Our labor in the Lord is not in vain. We need to continue to be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Tell us something about yourself that most people do not know:
My wife Lynette and I have been married for 10 years. She is from Minnesota, and I am from New York. Although we are from two different parts of the country, and different ethnicities (Lynette is Norwegian, and I am Italian), God brought us together, and we have been on a great journey ever since. We are a blended family and we have three children – Brock, Scott and Joey.