Calvary Chapel does not represent itself as a denomination but rather a fellowship of over 1,000 churches who may or may not use the name Calvary Chapel and whose government is senior-pastor led. The fellowship grew out of Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel in southern California. It is evangelical in beliefs and also believes strongly in expository teaching, where each verse, chapter and book is examined. It also emphasizes evangelism, conversion, and the personal experience of the Holy Spirit.