Larry and LaVerne Kreider, founders of DOVE International, have served together in ministry and leadership for fifty years. DOVE international, a worldwide family of churches and ministries, has successfully used the New Testament “house to house” strategy of building the church with small groups for more than four decades.
Larry and LaVerne started ministry in 1971, first on the mission field and later in their home community as they led a youth ministry that targeted the unchurched youth Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Dozens came to faith in Christ, and DOVE Christian Fellowship was birthed out of the ensuing need for a flexible New Testament-style church (new wineskin) that could assist these new believers (new wine). In small home groups, the new believers found a place to share their lives with each other, grow spiritually, and reach out with the healing love of Jesus to the world.
Larry initially served as the senior pastor of DOVE Christian Fellowship, which grew from a single small group of believers to over 2,300 in ten years. Growth and multiplication of churches continued. In 1995, Larry transitioned out of leadership of a local church and became DOVE’s International Director. Today, the DOVE International family is made up of more than 1,100 local churches and thousands of small groups in twenty-five nations around the globe.
It is Larry and LaVerne’s heart cry to see believers reach out from house to house, city to city, and nation to nation as they empower and train others to do the same. They emphasize the need for the raising of spiritual fathers and mothers who will in turn empower the next generation. They have been blessed to serve alongside amazing teams of leaders representing many nations of the world. Larry has been a featured speaker at many conferences and has travelled extensively to train Christian leaders worldwide.
LaVerne, a compassionate “people person,” connects with people’s hearts as she challenges them to grow spiritually. As an inspirational speaker, she challenges the church to walk in intimacy with the Lord, embrace the fear of the Lord, and to minister the compassion of Christ. She spends much of her time mentoring women and encouraging leaders.
Larry and LaVerne have been married 52 years and live in Lititz, Pennsylvania. They love to sit by the ocean and read a good book, take walks, and spend time with their four amazing children, their families, and the best grandkids in the world.
Larry has written over 40 books including The Cry for Spiritual Fathers and Mothers, House To House, Your Personal House of Prayer and many more. He c0-authored the Biblical Role of Elders. Larry and LaVerne co-authored When God Seems Silent and Our Journey with God.
