We are
In 2025, Calvary Bible Church changed its name to New Arbor Bible Church. This page explains why.
Our History
Founding & Growing: 1998 to 2006
Pastor Wesley Rowe
On October 2, 1998, Pastor Wesley Gene Rowe and 60 friends and supporters met at the Holiday Inn on Washtenaw Ave. This was the first service of Calvary Bible Church. The church grew quickly and changed locations from the Holiday Inn to Carpenter Elementary School. After two years at Carpenter Elementary, the church moved to the former Bethany Bible Church building at 4220 Packard Rd. Calvary Bible Church also purchased property at 8318 Carpenter Rd.
After worshipping in the church building on Packard Rd. for 11 months, the building was sold and Calvary Bible Church needed to move again in July, 1992. With little money but a lot of faith, the church members built a new building on the church's Carpenter Rd. land.
The new building hosted its first service on Sunday, October 25, 1992 with around 150 people in average Sunday attendance. A gymnasium / multipurpose building was added next and the growing congregation moved into that building for Sunday worship services. Then, the current facilities were completed when an education building was constructed.
The new building hosted its first service on Sunday, October 25, 1992 with around 150 people in average Sunday attendance. A gymnasium / multipurpose building was added next and the growing congregation moved into that building for Sunday worship services. Then, the current facilities were completed when an education building was constructed.
A Shared Pulpit: 2006 to 2009
In 2006, Pastor Rowe met Brian Jones, a pastor who had recently moved into the Ann Arbor area. Brian joined the staff of Calvary Bible Church in 2007 and Pastors Rowe and Jones began sharing the Sunday morning preaching ministry.
During this time of shared pulpit ministry, Pastor Rowe began to sense a desire to plant a church in southern Ohio. Believing that Calvary was in good hands under the leadership of its elders, Pastor Rowe began coaching women's softball at Cedarville University and began the new church plant, with Calvary's prayer and financial support. The elders called Pastor Brian to succeed Pastor Rowe as the lead pastor, starting in 2010.
During this time of shared pulpit ministry, Pastor Rowe began to sense a desire to plant a church in southern Ohio. Believing that Calvary was in good hands under the leadership of its elders, Pastor Rowe began coaching women's softball at Cedarville University and began the new church plant, with Calvary's prayer and financial support. The elders called Pastor Brian to succeed Pastor Rowe as the lead pastor, starting in 2010.
2025: Calvary Bible Church became New Arbor Bible Church
For years, people in our community have confused our church, Calvary Bible Church, with another church in town, Calvary Baptist Church. Calvary Baptist is a good, biblically-faithful church. However, it has been difficult to distinguish our ministry from theirs due to having very similar names.
After years of prayer and discussion among the elders and members of our church, the elders have decided it would be best to change the name of our church.
After years of prayer and discussion among the elders and members of our church, the elders have decided it would be best to change the name of our church.
New Arbor Bible Church
What does it mean?
We investigated over 20 different names--looking for something that was unique without being weird. We also wanted a name that touched on what we are seeking to accomplish as a church for the glory of God. Finally, the elders unanimously decided on the name New Arbor Bible Church.
- The “Bible Church” part of our name reflects the commitment our church has always had to teaching scripture for the salvation and spiritual growth of people. So, our theology and approach to ministry has not changed, even though our name has.
- The “Arbor” part of our name connects us to the area we seek to serve but it also reflects biblical imagery. The word “arbor” is the Latin word for “tree.” In English, it has come to mean a shelter with a roof formed by trees. The Bible uses the metaphor of trees to describe a strong, thriving spiritual life. Psalm 1:3 says that those who delight in God’s word “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
- Finally, the word “New” in New Arbor Bible Church reflects the transforming grace of God each member of our church has experienced and that we hold out to the world around us in the gospel. The Bible says that our lives are made new in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Imagine, then, New Arbor Bible Church as a thriving collection of believers, planted in God's word and growing spiritually--individually and collectively--like an arbor of healthy trees.
Imagine the Ann Arbor region being converted to faith in Jesus Christ, and seeing God plant a New Arbor in us and through us by the power of God, for the glory of God.
Imagine the Ann Arbor region being converted to faith in Jesus Christ, and seeing God plant a New Arbor in us and through us by the power of God, for the glory of God.
