Skip Heitzig

Personal

A native of Southern California, Heitzig has three siblings (his brother, Bob, died in a motorcycle accident in 1975).

He's been described as a former marijuana smoking surfer dude. Heitzig was witnessed to by a friend, Gino Geraci, senior pastor of Calvary South Denver. Shortly after this experience, Heitzig began to study under Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa.

His early training in radiology was through UCLA which included an internship program at San Bernardino County Medical Center in San Bernardino, California. In 1981, Heitzig married his wife, Lenya, and together, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to continue his work in the medical field. Together, they have one son, Nathan.

Ministry

In 1982, Heitzig began a home Bible study that eventually grew into Calvary of Albuquerque. In 1988 and 1989, Calvary of Albuquerque was listed as one of the fastest growing churches in America. In 2009, Calvary of Albuquerque was listed as one of the 15 largest churches in America with an average weekend attendance of 13,000.

After a brief pastorate in San Juan Capistrano (Ocean Hills, 2004-2006), Heitzig returned to Calvary of Albuquerque as senior pastor in 2006, following the resignation of the previous pastor, Pete Nelson.

Presently, Heitzig serves on several Boards of Directors, including Samaritan's Purse.

Each year, Heitzig hosts a week-long seminar of teachings at The Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center in North Carolina. He is also a frequent guest speaker at Franklin Graham Festivals and Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie.

Education

Heitzig attended Victor Valley Community College in California and UCLA to gain his degree in radiology.

Heitzig earned his B.A. and M.A from Trinity Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana. In 2009, he was given an honorary doctorate of Divinity by the Gospel for Asia Biblical Seminary in Cochin, India.

Controversy

Heitzig has been publicly criticized for totalitarian leadership and a lack of fiscal accountability in connection with his 2004 departure from Calvary Chapel Albuquerque. A former board member wrote a letter to church leaders outlining many concerns. He wrote that Heitzig had stacked the Calvary Albuquerque board with out-of-town members— who did not attend church in Albuquerque, and who were more loyal to Heitzig than to Calvary. Heitzig and board member Paul Saber unsuccessfully tried to transfer Calvary's two multimillion-dollar radio stations to a corporation run by the two of them. Calvary Chapel Albuquerque founder Skip Heitzig apologized to the congregation for his role in a highly publicized struggle for control of the megachurch that eventually led to his resignation from its board of directors.

Publishing and Media

Heitzig is the author of several books and booklets. Of his noted works:

How To Study the Bible and Enjoy It (Tyndale House, 1996)

Jesus Up Close (Tyndale House, 2001)

When God Prays (Tyndale House, 2003).

Encounter: Face 2 Face with Jesus (Bridge-Logos, 2009).

GodPrint (Bridge-Logos, 2009).

The Daily God Book (Tyndale House, 2010).

Homeland Security (Bridge-Logos, 2010).

Heitzig can be heard throughout the United States and worldwide on his radio broadcast, The Connection, as well as various cable and internet-based television channels (His Channel, KNET)

Music

As a musician, songwriter, and producer, Heitzig has been featured on several musical projects. Of note:

Lively Hearts (1999)

Everywhere I Go (2000)

Heitzig wrote the lyrics to the modern hymn (with Brian Nixon), Gloria Exaltus (2008) which was released on the album, Stars Shine Bright.

T.V and Documentaries

Heitzig hosted the video documentary Epicenter (Tyndale 2007), with author, Joel C. Rosenberg, as well as the documentary The Jesus Boat (2009). In 2010, Heitzig released two additional documentaries, Shattered and Riptide. Additionally, Heitzig has been a featured guest on several documentaries and video teachings, including A Venture in Faith with Chuck Smith (1990).