Calvary Chapel Founder Considers Options for Cancer Treatment
Calvary Chapel movement founder Chuck Smith is considering his options for treatment of cancer in his lungs after doctors who initially recommended surgery are now against the procedure after air capacity test results were unfavorable.
Smith's tumor in his lungs had been reduced in size after undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment that began earlier this year, but it remains a health concern.
His daughter, Janette Smith Manderson, who has been giving regular updates on her father by posting on a Facebook prayer group page, began her most recent report by stating, "God is good! When Dad had the lung capacity test last Friday, the doctors felt that he should not have surgery, as it could possibly make breathing a bit harder."
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She continued, "So, for now at least, surgery appears to be a closed door. Dad has several options available and we are doing research to see which treatment looks like the best fit. As we talked things over yesterday, Dad and I agreed that we like closed doors just as much as open doors, because there is great peace in seeing God working to make sure that we stay exactly in His will.
"Please pray that He will show Dad which treatment He has chosen for the next weapon in the cancer battle. Dad is a strong fighter and eager to take on the enemy under God's banner. To God be the glory!!!"
On New Year's Day during Sunday services, Smith stunned his congregation when he announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
On Tuesday, Manderson told The Christian Post that her father had four options of treatment to consider, but did not elaborate about the types.
"He is asking God for direction. We are trusting God to lead him," she wrote in a message to CP.
Smith, 84, who is the pastor of Calvary Church in Costa Mesa, is maintaining a schedule similar to before his diagnosis. In addition to preaching at Sunday services and teaching a mid-week Bible study, he participates in his "Pastor's Perspective" radio show available on Christian stations and online at KWVE.com.
During the call-in talk show, Smith tackles subjects such as End Times, off-track religious beliefs, and theology. A young caller on Tuesday's radio show asked Smith what he should tell his atheist friend about the existence of God.
"I don't know that we can prove the existence of God. I would say throw it back to them. Tell them to prove that God doesn't exist," Smith answered. "We can give far more reasons for their being a God than there might not be. There are so many miracles as far as life goes … Only a fool would believe there is no God."
Richard McIntosh, who manages the KWVE 107.9 radio station for Calvary Chapel, told The Christian Post last week that he sees Smith every Monday through Thursday at the station's office and "he is doing very well having completed the chemo and radiation treatments."
