Our pastor was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1973 as the second of six children. When Larry was three years old, his parents answered the call to the mission field of Mexico, moving the family to Mission, Texas (on the Southern border), to join a ministry to the Spanish-speaking world. At eight years of age, Larry received Jesus Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior. After nine years of working in missions, Larry’s parents then answered a call to evangelism, traveling on the road with the family to take the Good News of the Gospel to forty-three states. It was while traveling with his family in evangelism, holding revival services in Kentucky, that Larry answered Christ’s call to ministry.
Larry began to prepare for Christ’s calling on his life by attending Bible College and earning a Bachelor of Ministry degree in 1994. During the last several years of college, Larry also served as a youth and music director under a seasoned pastor. Soon after graduation, Larry began his pastoral ministry, continuing his education by earning a Doctor of Theology degree in 2001 from Covington Theological Seminary. Later, he would have the opportunity enter seminary again, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 2016 from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He also completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in 2015, completing his chaplaincy internship at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital.
Larry was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1992 by the Baptist Church and also ordained to Ministry in the Church of the Brethren in 2019. Larry has served with a heart of love for people and Jesus’ work in the Baptist, United Methodist, and Church of the Brethren traditions. To him, the ministry is all about lifting up the name of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, teaching and preaching compassionately the truth of God’s Word, and encouraging those to whom he is ministering. Larry considers the church family to be his extended family, and he wants everyone to feel embraced and part of God’s family at Bethel.
In addition to his full-time pastoral duties at Bethel, Larry also serves with Only Jesus 4 Me that offers “A Journey of Faith Discipleship Ministry” to individuals, churches, schools and organizations to help people grow in the faith. He also serves with the Discipleship Ministry Team of the Shenandoah District of the Church of the Brethren.
Larry’s life’s verses are Psalm 40:1-3: “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord” (NLT).
Larry is always glad to hear from folks in the community and considers the “whole world his parish” (as stated by John Wesley). Larry offers pastoral counseling, prayer, support, and a life-time of ministry experience to Bethel and those who are seeking Jesus. Please be in touch!