Dove International

DOVE International is a Christian ministry founded by Larry and Laverne Kreider involved with churches and ministries in six continents. DOVE is an acronym which states “Declaring Our Victory Emmanuel".[1] DOVE International is the ministry arm of DOVE Christian Fellowship.[1]

History

In the late 1970s,[2] Larry and Laverne Kreider started a small group Bible study to reach unchurched youth in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Kreiders were unable to connect these youth to local churches in their area. Larry Kreider began an "underground church" in response to this problem.[1]

Kreider recruited some young couples to help in leadership of small groups. These groups met together in a large living room for their first Sunday Morning celebration in October 1980. DOVE Christian Fellowship was born.[1]

First Ten Years - DOVE Christian Fellowship grew to over 2,000 believers scattered throughout a seven-county region of Pennsylvania. More than one hundred small groups met during the week and on Sunday mornings.[1]

Small Group Churches Emerge 1996 - Eight small group-based churches were created from the one. Included were three other small group churches in Kenya, Uganda and New Zealand. The leadership of these churches were turned over to "senior elders".[1]

The Apostolic Council was created to train, oversee and mentor new local leaders throughout the world.[1] The council is directly connected to DOVE International and includes leaders actively involved with the ministry.[3]

The Members of the Apostolic Council are Larry and LaVerne Kreider, Ron and Bonnie Myer, Peter and Ruth Ann Bunton, Chad and Chris Miller, Hesbone and Violet Odindo, Ibrahim and Diane Omondi, Steve and Mary Prokopchak, and Brian and Janet Sauder.[3]

International Ventures

Over 350 churches and house churches are affiliated with the DOVE International "apostolic movement"[4] in various places like Canada, the Philippines, and South Africa. DOVE International also includes ministries that oversee the development of movement churches in Europe[5] and Africa.☃☃ Many DOVE affiliated churcheare presents.[6] One such church is Abundant Harvest Church in Duncannon, Pa.[7]

DOVE International leaders have held conferences and training worldwide.[8]

Church and House Church Planting is one of the focuses of their work. Ministries such as Grassroots Church Planting Ministries partner with DOVE International[9]

Publishing

DOVE International has published 500,000 units of materials in over 70 publications on topics concerning churches, leadership and Christian life.[10] The publishing arm has produced materials used by churches and organizations. One such ministry training organization is Christian Leaders Institute, which uses DOVE International's materials on House Churches.[11]

Peer Review Membership

DOVE International is a member of a peer accountability organization called ACEA.[12] This organization was founded by C.Peter Wagner, a former professor of Fuller Theological Seminary.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Our History - DOVE International". DOVE International. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  2. ↑ Kreider, Larry (2014). Starting a House Church. Grand Rapids, Mich: Chosen Books. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-4412-6842-6.
  3. 1 2 "Our Leaders - DOVE International". DOVE International. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  4. ↑ "Speakers and Bios - HarvestNET International". HarvestNET International. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  5. ↑ "Vision and MissionVisie en MissieVisión y misiónВизия и мисия - DOVE Europe". DOVE Europe. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  6. ↑ "USA Directory - DOVE USA". DOVE USA. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  7. ↑ "Dove International". Abundant Harvest Church. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  8. ↑ "Dove Ministries International". The Sign of the Dove Church. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  9. ↑ "About Us - Grassroots Church Planting Ministries". www.grassrootschurchplanting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  10. ↑ "House to House Publications » Product Types » Books". www.h2hp.com. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  11. ↑ "Partners - Free Ministry Training - Ordination". Free Ministry Training - Ordination. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
  12. ↑ "acea-schools". www.acea-schools.org. Retrieved 2016-11-18.
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