“We can learn to be strong like Jesus was strong. We can learn to shut up when people are saying bad things about us. We can learn we don't have to fight our own battles. We can learn that somebody else can advocate for us better than we can advocate for ourselves. We can learn that this world will mistreat us because the Bible does say those who live godly will suffer persecution. Suffering persecution isn't some... Sometimes it's not at all a sign you're doing something wrong. Sometimes it's a sign that you're doing exactly what you need to be doing.”
“It's not our works. It's not ourself. If we're gonna continue to grow in Christ and we're just gonna continue to grow in grace and we're gonna continue to accomplish anything from God, we're gonna have to remember it's Jesus who got me on. It's Jesus who's keeping me on, and it's Jesus who's going to empower me to do whatever he wants me to do while I'm on.”
“have the mindset of Christ. Have the mindset that says, it's not about what you know, it's not about what you deserve, it's about what God wants. And if the God Himself can humble Himself and show such extreme grace and such extreme forgiveness in the way he lived his life and the daily insults and degradations he took, Lord, help me to do a better job bearing the little bit of a burden he happens to give me. And just say, I'm gonna be strong in grace. I'm gonna try to follow the example of Jesus.”
The church offers transportation for visitors who need a ride: it has a 15-passenger bus and invites people to request a ride. The website doesn’t specify wheelchair access or other disability accommodations, so contact the church to ask about a particular need. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/)
What happens during a typical service, and how long does it last?
A typical Sunday morning service begins at 11:00 a.m. with choir, congregational singing, and special music, followed by preaching—ordinarily by Pastor Bert Dixon. The website doesn’t specify how long the service lasts. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
What is the worship format, and does it vary by service?
The format varies by service. **Sunday morning (11:00 a.m.)** includes choir, congregational singing, and special music before preaching, ordinarily by Pastor Bert Dixon. **Sunday evening (6:00 p.m.)** has a short time of praise through biblical music followed by preaching, ordinarily by Assistant Pastor Dayton Haas. **Wednesday evening (7:00 p.m.)** is described as a time for fellowship, prayer, and Bible study, with a Bible-based message from Music Director Jonathan Haas. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
Can someone attend while exploring Christianity or questioning their beliefs?
Yes. Calvary Baptist Church offers a sincere invitation to join its services and has a “Schedule a Visit” option. The church also says it seeks to reach people with the Gospel, so you can visit while exploring Christianity or asking questions. Services are Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/home) (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
Is registration required, or can someone simply arrive?
The website doesn’t say registration is required. It lists regular service times and invites visitors to schedule a visit, so you can plan to arrive for a service; scheduling ahead is an option. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
Do children need advance registration, and can visiting families participate?
The website doesn’t state whether children need advance registration. Visiting families are invited to attend services, and the church offers a “Schedule a Visit” option; it doesn’t give specific details about children’s activities or participation. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
What denomination or network does the church belong to?
Calvary Baptist Church identifies as Baptist, but its website does not specify a broader denominational network or affiliation. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about)
- **The Bible and God:** The verbal, plenary inspiration of the Old and New Testaments; preservation of God’s Word through the Hebrew Masoretic Text and Greek Textus Receptus; and the King James Version as the best English translation. The church believes in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and a six-literal-day creation. - **Sin and salvation:** All people are sinful and unable to save themselves. Christ died for all, and salvation is by grace through faith alone, based on Christ’s finished work. The church also affirms Christ’s bodily resurrection and ascension, His intercession for believers, the reality of Heaven and Hell, human responsibility to accept or resist God’s grace, and the eternal security of believers. - **The church and Christian life:** The local church is God’s institution for carrying out the Great Commission. Its ordinances are believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper as a memorial. Believers are to live holy lives and witness to the lost. - **End times and spiritual gifts:** The church believes in the pretribulational rapture, Christ’s premillennial return and millennial reign, and distinct judgments for believers and unbelievers. It teaches that evangelists and pastor-teachers’ gifts are sufficient for today, and that tongues and sign miracles ceased as the New Testament Scriptures were completed and established. - **Other stated positions:** The church rejects Calvinism and Arminianism and says believers should avoid compromise with liberalism, ecumenicism, neo-evangelicalism, and the charismatic movement. It teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman, that sexual activity belongs only within marriage, and that attempts to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance are forbidden. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about)
How does it practice baptism and communion, and who can participate?
Calvary Baptist practices baptism by immersion for believers only and observes the Lord’s Supper as a memorial. Its website does not specify who may participate in communion. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about)
What are its stated policies concerning LGBTQ people?
The church’s stated policy is that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that intimate sexual activity outside marriage is prohibited. It calls homosexuality, lesbianism, and bisexuality sinful perversions of sex, and says God disapproves of attempts to alter one’s gender through surgery or appearance. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about)
Who leads the church, and how are leaders accountable?
Calvary Baptist identifies Pastor Bert Dixon as its pastor; Assistant Pastor Dayton Haas ordinarily preaches Sunday evenings, and Music Director Jonathan Haas gives the Wednesday message. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
The church’s website does not describe a formal system for holding leaders accountable. A sermon on 2 Timothy 2 teaches that Christian leaders should pass on biblical teaching openly and entrust it to faithful, reliable people who can teach others—not keep it as a secret plan. ( [31:54 from November 05, 2026] )
For a clearer introduction to the church’s teaching on salvation and Christian growth, the website also features **“How to Know You’re Going to Heaven”** and **“How to Make the Most of Your Salvation.”** (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/)
How does the church talk about sin, confession and forgiveness?
Calvary Baptist teaches that sin is universal and leaves people unable to save themselves; forgiveness and salvation come through Jesus Christ, by grace through faith—not by good works. The church’s statement of belief says Christ died for the sins of all mankind and that salvation rests on his finished work on the cross. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about)
In a sermon, we describe coming to Christ as recognizing that you are a sinner and cannot fix your condition yourself, then asking Jesus to save you. The sermon also says believers can stand in the assurance that their sins are forgiven and they have right standing with God. ([23:58 from November 05, 2026]) ([19:04 from November 05, 2026])
The materials provided do not set out a distinct practice or teaching about confession—such as confessing particular sins to another person. They do emphasize acknowledging one’s need for a Savior and trusting Christ for salvation. ([23:58 from November 05, 2026])
How does the teaching approach community and honesty with others?
We teach community as a close spiritual family: believers share faith in Christ and grow through worship, serving, praying, and learning together. The sermon describes this bond as a kinship that can be as close as—or closer than—some family ties. ([07:21 from November 05, 2026])
We also emphasize honest, open teaching. Paul’s instruction to Timothy is presented as truth shared “among many witnesses,” not as secret plans or insider games, so people can learn how to live faithfully and handle church problems. ([03:24 from November 05, 2026]) Community also means passing what we’ve learned to trustworthy people who can teach others, and being reliable ourselves. ([35:16 from November 05, 2026])
Calvary approaches doubt by directing people to the Bible and to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, rather than by works or a particular prayer or feeling. In a sermon, we caution against letting other people’s questions unsettle someone’s faith and encourage believers to stand on God’s Word. ([25:20 from November 05, 2026]) The church also recognizes that new believers can feel troubled about salvation and points them toward growth in the Christian life. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/)
For suffering, we teach perseverance and continued trust in the Lord: “when the going gets tough,” keep going and keep trusting. ([40:50 from November 05, 2026]) We also point to Jesus’ example of enduring mistreatment, and note that persecution is not necessarily a sign that someone is doing wrong; it can come while they are living faithfully. ([17:27 from November 05, 2026]) The church describes its midweek gathering as a time of fellowship, prayer, and Bible study to refresh people during a hard week. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
Calvary Baptist distinguishes **faith as the basis of salvation** from **work as the response of a believer**: salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not by human works, while believers are called to live holy lives and witness to Christ. The church says it teaches God’s Word so people can grow in grace and do God’s work through the Holy Spirit. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about) (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/home)
Pastor Dayton Haas also emphasizes that Christian service depends on Christ’s strength, not self-reliance: Jesus saves, and believers can accomplish what God wants only through him. He encourages Christians to keep serving through hardship and to pass on what they have learned to others. ([26:23 from November 05, 2026]) ([38:10 from November 05, 2026]) ([40:50 from November 05, 2026])
Is an answer based on an official statement or an interpretation of sermons?
The church’s **Statement of Belief** on its website is the official statement. A claim drawn from a sermon is an interpretation or application in that sermon, unless the website also states it as a belief. For example, the website explicitly lists salvation by grace through faith; the sermon applies 2 Timothy 2 to Christian perseverance and passing teaching on to others. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/about) ([03:24 from November 05, 2026])
The church’s listed groups and gatherings meet on this schedule:
- **Sunday:** My Great Salvation (MGS) at **9:30 a.m.**, Sunday School at **10:00 a.m.**, and morning service at **11:00 a.m.** - **Sunday evening:** Choir practice at **5:00 p.m.**, men’s prayer at **5:30 p.m.**, and evening service at **6:00 p.m.** - **Wednesday:** Weekly visitation at **3:00 p.m.** and evening service at **7:00 p.m.** (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
Are there groups or introductory gatherings open to newcomers?
Yes. Newcomers are invited to visit the Sunday morning gatherings: **My Great Salvation (MGS) at 9:30 AM** and **Sunday School at 10:00 AM**, followed by the 11:00 AM service. The church also invites visitors to schedule a visit. The website doesn’t identify a separate newcomer-specific group. (https://www.calvarybaptisthickory.com/regular-services)
