Doug Snow

A Life of Faithful Ministry

Doug Snow was born on Friday, July 13, 1956, in Lewiston, Maine, to Hugh and Esther Snow as the youngest of four children. Growing up in the home of an Assemblies of God pastor, Doug was introduced to Christian values and teachings at an early age. However, his formative years were marked by frustration and disillusionment as he wrestled with the gap he perceived between biblical principles and the practices he observed in the church.

In the early 1970s, during his teenage years, Doug’s family moved from New York to Orange, California. It was there that Doug first encountered the transformative ministry of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Attending Saturday night concerts and weekly Bible studies, he heard Pastor Chuck Smith’s expositional teaching, which profoundly impacted him. It was a season of revival, and Doug witnessed the Spirit of God working powerfully in the lives of young people. This experience opened his eyes to the grace, love, and power of God’s Word, igniting a passion for a life of faith.

Despite some struggles and heartaches during his teenage years, Doug fully committed his life to Christ at the age of 17. The early years of his faith journey were challenging as God worked to refine him, addressing areas of compromise and inconsistency in his life.

In February 1979, Doug married his wife, Janet, and together they embarked on a shared journey of seeking God’s will. Early in their ministry, they served in youth pastor roles before moving to Seattle, Washington. Doug worked various jobs while waiting on God’s direction which led them to serve as house parents at Alpine Boy’s Ranch in Leavenworth, Washington for troubled teenage boys .

Doug’s heart for the Church and his deep burden for solid, biblical teaching continued to grow. He felt a clear calling to pastoral ministry, driven by a desire to see believers mature in their faith. In 1989, at the age of 33, Doug and Janet, along with their two young daughters, moved to Portland, Oregon, where Doug attended Multnomah Bible College.

During his senior year, while serving as an elder and worship leader at Calvary Chapel Portland, a small group of believers approached Doug about starting a home Bible study with the vision of planting a church. Encouraged by their church, Doug and Janet launched a Sunday evening Bible study in Gladstone in March 1992. By June, the group had grown, leading them to rent space at the Clackamas Business Center for Sunday morning services.

The church, initially known as Calvary Chapel North Clackamas, later became Calvary Chapel Southeast (CCSE) as they relocated to Southeast Portland. In June 2002, they moved to their current facility in Milwaukie. Over the years, CCSE flourished under Doug’s leadership, resulting in church plants and various missionary endeavors.

After three decades of faithful service, Doug and Janet retired from their roles at CCSE in 2022. Today, Doug continues to follow his passion for ministry by coming alongside pastors and churches, offering support and encouragement wherever needed.

Doug and Janet now reside in Prineville, Oregon, enjoying time with their 5 children and 15 grandchildren.

Doug’s story is one of obedience to God’s call through faithfulness, and the enduring power of God’s Word. For him, ministry has never been a job but a calling. He remains dedicated to serving Christ and His Church in every season of life.