Building a Global Ministry From Scratch | Learning to Lead - Larry Kreider'

In a recent episode of my Learning to Lead podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Larry Kreider, founder of Dove International, to talk about his journey in ministry and leadership. Larry shared how Dove International began in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, as a youth ministry with a passion for reaching unchurched young people. What started as a simple Bible study quickly grew into a vibrant church in 1980, eventually expanding to over 2,000 members within a decade—a testament to their vision and community impact.

One of the hallmarks of Dove International’s growth has been its unique house church model. Larry explained that he was initially inspired by John Wesley’s journals and later influenced by the cell church concepts of Dr. Cho in Korea and Ralph Neighbor. They began with small house-to-house gatherings, fostering intimate communities that then came together for larger Sunday celebrations. Larry believes there’s room for all types of churches—community churches, microchurches, and mega-churches—within any city.

As Dove International expanded globally, Larry felt a strong calling to be a spiritual father to a new generation. His first book, House to House, captured this model of ministry and became a foundational work in their movement. To date, he’s authored over 40 books, with his Biblical Foundation Series being the most sold and The Cry for Spiritual Fathersstanding out as his personal favorite. It’s been amazing to see how his work has equipped and inspired countless leaders and communities around the world.

When we talked about leadership, Larry emphasized the importance of shared values, vision, and relationships within a team. He warned that stagnation can occur when old structures aren’t allowed to evolve, and he noted that the test of disappointment is the most common reason leaders lose their way. To counter these challenges, he advocates for team ministry with clear accountability to outside spiritual advisors. As we wrapped up our conversation, Larry shared invaluable advice for new leaders: guard your most important relationships—and believe for a fresh Jesus movement to sweep across the church once again.