STEUBENVILLE — “Calvary Small, Calvary Strong!”

That is the saying for those who attend the Calvary Community Missionary Baptist Church in Steubenville — a church which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week through a series of special events.

According to its senior pastor, the Rev. James Baber, Calvary may be small — having approximately 20 or so people attend its Sunday service, but it is nothing if not strong in its beliefs and faith.

“All Because of Calvary,” is the theme of the 10th anniversary, taken from the Bible passage Luke 23:33, which says, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”

This verse describes the moment of Christ being crucified, highlighting there were two criminals on either side of Jesus.

Wednesday began the week’s activities, featuring a mid-week revival, which was followed by a Calvary Strong Ministry on Thursday.

Beginning at noon today, a chat and chew will be held. A CCMBC concert will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday and worship services will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, concluding the week’s celebration.

Baber explained the church would love nothing more than for the community to reach out and allow the church to be of service to them, offering various ministries, including an addiction ministry and a food ministry.

The church’s goal is to help people live a better life, Baber said, noting there is a Bible class and choir among the church’s offerings.

It was more than a decade ago when a few residents of Steubenville decided to begin a ministry based on Calvary and what took place there all those years ago. The fellowship would worship at the YWCA on Fourth Street. But in time, the worship experience grew, as did the number of people attending. Although the fellowship was in the process of acquiring a building on its permanent location, the project was unsuccessful due to the structure not being up to code. So, the congregation left the YWCA and went to 711 South Seventh Street.

Because growth was evident, ministries were added, including the Echoes of Calvary, Anointed Kids of Calvary, a men’s ministry, a Sunday School ministry, a Bible Study, a women’s ministry and host of community events and out-of-town engagements.

Through moments of interruptions, God had given a peace and comfort to the Calvary pastor, the Rev. Calvin McLoyd, assuring him there was a greater plan for Calvary.

This plan for a permanent place to worship was spoken at the YMCA when the fellowship was preparing for a building it would never occupy. The plan seemed to lie dormant until the Rev. Vaughn Foster shared with McLoyd that a local congregation was closing and wanted to sell its property.

Well, leaders were contacted, a meeting was planned and possibilities were discussed.

And with the end of one thing, came another, as the Church of the Nazarene announced it was giving Calvary its property free and clear — not wanting to be landlords and choosing to gift the church rather than rent it.

“To God be the glory!” Baber stated, noting the church is mortgage-free and that “God has supplied Calvary with needs for and beyond what we could have ever asked for or thought.”

Since Calvary’s inception in 2015, it has been incorporated in the state of Ohio and is a nonprofit organization.

McLoyd retired in 2023 and relocated to Dolton, Ala. McLoyd gave his life to Christ at the age of 10 in Columbia, Ala., where he was born. He earned his mater’s at Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1999.

A pastor since 1978, he ministered at various locations, including the Second Baptist Church in Steubenville before ending his pastoral tenure in 2015 with the intent to preach when called.

However, not long after retiring from that ministry, he bagn sensing God calling him back into the pastorate.

McLoyd said the Lord led him to found Calvary Community Missionary Baptist Church, where for eight years he served as its pastor, “leading the people in worshiping God, in serving the community and in building each other into a biblically literate and compassionate body of believers.”

Upon his leaving, Baber was asked to serve as senior pastor, taking the reins in October 2023.

Baber quoted Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9, saying, “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

“For 10 years God has blessed Calvary and is yet to see the future blessings that are in store for Calvary,” Baber stated. “Remain faithful and committed to doing ministries on the hill. Challenges will come, but blessings will flow.”

“Study the word, teach the word, preach the word, but most of all, live the word,” Baber concluded.