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Our History

From a small Bible study in Lancaster County to over 1,000 churches worldwide, discover how God faithfully led DOVE International through four decades of growth, challenges, and transformation.

Late 1970s

The Beginning

A Move of God Among Young People

DOVE International traces its beginnings to the late 1970s, a time when many young people were caught up in the occult and the drug culture. A group of young believers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania actively shared the love of Christ through several outreach initiatives. Dozens of young people began coming to Jesus. Soon, a weekly Bible study began under the leadership of Larry and LaVerne Kreider.

The Underground Church Call

The Kreiders and their team did their best to help the new believers find suitable church homes among churches in the area. However, it seemed that most of them simply did not fit. In a time of prayer, Larry heard God asking him to be involved in the “underground church.” Larry said “yes” to this call, even without understanding what it might mean.

Late 1970s

1980

The Foundation

DOVE Christian Fellowship is Born

As more young people joined the movement, they gathered in homes for prayer and Bible teaching. In these informal group meetings, the young people were taught simple truths from scripture and encouraged to love Jesus with all their hearts.

The home groups were doing well, but Larry and his team sensed a need for something more. In October of 1980, after praying about what form the “new wineskin” would take, these groups met together in a large living room for their first Sunday morning celebration. DOVE Christian Fellowship was born.

The Vision: Pray, reach the lost, and make disciples.

1980

1980-1996

Growth & Expansion

Regional Growth and Growing Pains

During the first ten years, DOVE grew to over 2,000 believers scattered throughout a seven-county region of Pennsylvania. They met in more than 100 small groups during the week and in eight different congregations on Sunday mornings.

1980-1996

1996

The Transformation

Decentralization and International Vision

In order to become an international family of churches, we had to make some difficult decisions. We realized that releasing people and churches afforded us limitless potential. In 1996, DOVE decentralized and became eight small group-based churches in Pennsylvania, USA, along with three other churches in the nations of Kenya, Uganda, and New Zealand.

Apostolic Structure

An International Apostolic Council was formed to give spiritual oversight to this new movement, and Larry Kreider was asked to serve as the International Director. As an apostolic movement, DOVE is a family of churches with a common focus—a mandate from God to plant and establish churches throughout the world. We emphasize leading by relationship and influence rather than by hands-on management.

1996

1996-Present

Global Movement

Worldwide Family of Churches

Since that time, we have had the joy of seeing hundreds of churches planted and others join the DOVE International family. Currently, over 1,000 small group-based congregations and house churches serve together with the DOVE family from many nations of the world.

Global Presence

United States, Barbados, Brazil, Belgum, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda,, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and three closed nations.

1996-Present

Recent

Leadership Transition

Passing the Torch

Larry Kreider has handed over the International Director role to Merle Shenk after a succession process. Merle and Cheree Shenk serve with the International Apostolic Council to give direction to the DOVE family. Larry and LaVerne, founders of DOVE International, continue to serve as spiritual parents for many.

Recent

Spiritual Parenting is Key

We are ordinary people who have made many mistakes. But one key we have seen is the need for spiritual parenting. Every believer needs practical input from loving, seasoned fathers and mothers who help that individual reach his or her full potential in Christ.

Parents expect to see their children grow. Over these forty years, it has been a privilege to watch many who were once “children” become spiritual parents and grandparents as new believers, small groups, and churches are added to our DOVE family.

The vision continues

As we continue to grow as a church movement, we are called by God to love Jesus, love His people, and love the broken world in which we live. Our desire is to experience the daily reality of living the Kingdom and transforming our world from house to house, city to city, and nation to nation.

Larry Kreider has handed over the International Director role to Merle Shenk after a succession process. Succession details here. Merle and Cheree Shenk serve with the International Apostolic Council to give direction to the DOVE family. Larry and LaVerne, founders of DOVE International, continue to serve as spiritual parents for many.

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