Skip Heitzig

Skip Heitzig (born 1955) is the founder and senior pastor of Calvary of Albuquerque, a Calvary Chapel fellowship located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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.

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.

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.

Heitzig has been publicly criticized for totalitarian leadership and a lack of fiscal accountability in connection with his 2004 departure from Calvary Chapel Albuquerque.

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

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

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