By Larry Kreider The findings on the causes for church growth led to a conclusion for Christian A. Schwarz and a team from the “Institute for Church Development” in Germany. They discovered that just as crops grow all by themselves if the obstacles are taken out of the way, churches grow when obstacles to growth [...]
Dealing with doubt, depression and discouragement? By Larry Kreider The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 Why do some Christians fall into deception and choose destructive paths? Deception, according to God’s Word, does not happen unexpectedly [...]
The DOVE International story book excerpt by Larry and LaVerne Kreider During the mid-1970s, we took new believers to local churches in our community on Sunday evenings. These youth had come to faith in Christ through a youth ministry called Lost But Found that a group of us started in northern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We [...]
By Larry Kreider One of the most important roles a spiritual leader has is to become a spiritual father or mother. Let me explain. My friend Don Finto, who served for many years as the senior pastor of Belmont Church in Nashville, Tennessee, has a life-long passion to father younger men in ministry. His relationship [...]
A thread found in every story is that the church planter took a step of faith By Larry Kreider There are many articles on this website of churches being planted worldwide by ordinary people trusting in an extraordinary God. These are only a few of the stories from the DOVE family that could be told [...]
Starting a new church was not even on my radar By Larry and LaVerne Kreider Let me share the story of the very first DOVE church plant, which became the seed for many others around the world. When I was in my mid-twenties, starting a new church was not even on my radar. Had you told [...]
We cannot fulfill the Great Commission without planting churches. We need new churches! By Larry Kreider I have heard it said hundreds of times: “We do not need more churches in our community. We have enough churches already.” I disagree. We cannot fulfill the Great Commission without planting churches. We need new churches! Jesus, when [...]
By Larry Kreider I meet so many people who struggle with hearing God speak to them. They really want to hear His voice, but it seems He has stopped talking. I certainly understand. This has happened to me many times in my life. But I have learned so much during these times of silence. If we would be really honest, [...]
by Larry Kreider Honor the LORD and His presence by continually looking to Christ in our midst for discernment and decision-making. Honor the God-given vision, biblical values, and the mission of the local church. Honor the leadership of our family of churches. Honor the present senior leader. Honor the new senior leader. Honor the elders [...]
Maintaining a proper life balance so we do not burn out By Larry Kreider Some years back, my daughter and I had the dubious experience of destroying the engines in our two cars on the same day. I had become so busy "building the kingdom" that I forgot to check the oil in the vehicles. [...]
