DOVE International Succession
DOVE International has a new director
On April 15th, Merle Shenk was welcomed as the DOVE International director, along with his wife, Cheree, at our annual DOVE International Leadership Conference. Founders Larry and LaVerne Kreider commissioned the Shenks along with the DOVE International Apostolic Council and the recognized spiritual advisors. It was a time of celebration and joy as we experienced God’s goodness to us as a movement of churches.
Merle and Cheree Shenk
We welcome you!
After years of prayer and planning, DOVE International has a new international director, Merle Shenk. Two years ago, we announced that the DOVE International Apostolic Council and recognized spiritual advisors unanimously affirmed Merle Shenk to be the person who would succeed our founder, Larry Kreider. In the following years of preparation and transition, Larry and Merle travelled together to many nations, giving Larry the opportunity to introduce Merle to leaders and members of the global DOVE family.
The culmination of this succession process took place on April 14 and 15. On Sunday evening April 14, we held a “Night of Honor” in Pennsylvania, USA, to thank God and honor Larry and LaVerne for their faithful service throughout the 44 years since the founding of DOVE. On April 15, at our annual International Leadership Conference in Maryland, USA, we installed Merle and Cheree to lead the DOVE International family of churches into the movement’s next phase. We thank Larry and LaVerne for their leadership, care, and sacrificial obedience over many years. We rejoice in God’s provision even as we welcome Merle and Cheree to take up the leadership mantle. We trust God for many good things in the years ahead as He continues to expand His Kingdom on this earth.
Larry and LaVerne Kreider’s next steps
Larry and LaVerne have stepped back from leading the movement and from being members of the International Apostolic Council. They will take a two-month sabbatical, planning to return with clarity on the things they believe God is calling them to do, including speaking, writing, continuing the Larry Kreider Leadership Podcast, and on being a spiritual mother and father to leaders within and outside the DOVE movement.