01/24/2026
(The following has been written by me, Carrie, but as if written by Larry since it’s his story. He told me many things over lunch today and I asked if he’d ever considered writing it all down… he said he had not; he’s not a writer. I offered to do it, and he readily agreed. He said that it would be the best birthday present. So, as my gift to him, here is his list of preachers who have been his mentors and friends these past 50 years. Enjoy!)
Pastor Wright, Brown City, Michigan. I was just a little guy, so I don’t remember much about him. What I do know is that he preached the convicting message that sent me to the altar, calling on God and trusting Him for my salvation.
Pastor John Loggans, Imlay City, Michigan. He was not only the pastor of the church, he was the head of the Christian school I attended. He was large in stature and his presence commanded respect. I remember him telling the students how important it is to be thankful. To say “Thank you.” I’ve carried that with me.
Pastor David Loggans, Imlay City, Michigan. He taught the students to sing from the Psalms. I have continued to sing them all these years.
Allen Bishop, my father-in-law. I spent many years as a prodigal, but one night at a youth rally, he preached on the prodigal son and I rededicated my life to Christ. I answered the call to preach the same night. I was 17.
Pastor Sam Combs, my father in the faith. He took me in when I was homeless. It was at his advice that I enrolled in Galilean Baptist Bible Institute. He counseled me on marriage and parenting. His presence, though one of authority, was loving and merciful. Whether we were on visitation together, or watching hockey at his house, I enjoyed spending time with him. He taught me to pray. One time we were praying in his church office, and a man working on the roof thought we were yelling at each other and fighting. We still laugh about that. I didn’t have a solid father-figure until I met him. He means the world to me.
Pastor Chris Staub, Dearborn, Michigan. He preached several Faith Promise Missions Conferences at our home church, but one year (after the Lord had been dealing with my heart for a while) during the conference, I surrendered to the mission field. I always appreciated those messages he preached. Later when we were on deputation and Brother Staub’s church was having a hitch put on my van, he took me to eat at Cracker Barrel. While we were there he imparted some wisdom - he said not to forget my wife once I got to the field. He said that too often, missionaries get so busy and focused on ministry that they forget the needs of their wives and the home struggles. I took his advice to heart.
Ricky Bolick. Not only could the man preach, he could pray! Having been through rough times on the field himself, he tried to give me some help along the way. It was he who took me on my mission survey trip.
Joe Alvarado. If you know Joe, you know that what I’m saying is true - he’s a humble man. Full of prayer. I think he was the first person I ever saw fall prostrate on the floor and cry out to God. I stayed with him on my survey trip and he told me that the first time he met me, he knew I’d be a missionary. That was a couple years before I even knew it myself.
Preacher Potter, Bristol, Tennessee. Grace. It’s what he preached. Grace, grace, grace. His heart for missions was bigger than anyone I’d ever met. And his faith... He said, as he pointed upward, “I stand on His most holy faith.” And he did. When I talked to him and told him what a hard time I was having, he said, “Well, then, that’s right where God wants you. Trusting Him instead of yourself.” I miss him a lot!
Danny Chappel. One sermon. He stood up to the pulpit, took the gum out of his mouth and stuck it to the pulpit, and preached less than five minutes. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Then he put the gum back in his mouth and stepped down. In those few moments, faith took shape in my own heart and I took a big step. Not long later, we were on the field.
Luther Carver. What a great Man of God! A friend of missionaries. He took me under his wing, made phone calls, and raised a lot of my mission support. He looked after our family. Joked with my kids. He highly regarded my wife and asked her to speak many places. I miss him!
Kevin Welch. He was pastoring in Virginia and would call us often when we were on deputation. He’d ask me to come fill the pulpit, but also stay and let his church folks get to know us. He encouraged me a lot in those days.
Ralph Cheatwood, Bulgaria. This one is a hard one to talk about because we still feel his loss acutely. I visited him at his home when on my survey trip, and he let me know he was for me. He remained for me right up until his passing, though I certainly received my lumps along with it. He was a hard man in many ways. Hard to please. Hard to follow. But he was so much more than the humanly aspect of it all - He was God’s man for that hour. He had a touch on his life and the gospel spread quickly in this region. He was respected by all. The ministry has certainly felt his absence.
Pastor Ismail. He understands me. Literally. My language is not the best but he understands me and we discuss everything from Bible to world events. I’ve been with him full time for somewhere around 17-18 years and we work so well together. He’s like a grandpa to my kids, and even has pictures hanging on his wall. My OCD is not easy on those I’m closest to, but he has been one of the most understanding.
Pastor Hassan. He’s been with the Lord for many years now, but when I was very new to Bulgaria, he gave me my first Bulgarian Bible and taught me words and phrases. I didn’t get to work with him very long, but he left a lasting impression.
Gary Stike. At my absolute lowest, I reached out to him and found a true friend. I don’t think I’m overstating this to say he’s probably the reason I’m still here.
Denver Burnside, West Virginia. If you ever want to come across someone you know cares the instant he meets you, then you need to meet Denver Burnside. Genuine care and compassion for individuals, for families, for youth, for the down and out. That’s Denver.
Jimmy Logan, Kentucky. The biggest heart and the best hug. He took us into his home. His wife fed us, and he and I sat around joking and laughing. His heart for God is always shining through.
Gary Green, Marion, NC. He and his wife took us in as family from the first time we met. His church surrounds us with love and ministers to us when we’re in the States. Missionaries on furlough are usually battered and worn, but he and his church minister to the missionary.
Charles Lewis. He was a joker and everyone knew it. He was also serious about the work of God. He looked after our family and loved it when we checked in. He is missed.
Dave Hall. This is the only man on my list who wasn’t a preacher, but he affected me just as much. He had such a heart for missions and missionaries. He made sure we had a car to drive when we were in Michigan. This is a big deal for a missionary, since many of us are basically homeless and carless when on furlough. He cared about things that most people never considered. But it was because he spent hours and hours with missionaries, learning about their needs. He was behind the scenes in so many ways, but as a missionary to missionaries, he was tops to us. He is missed.
Pastor David Frost, Deckerville, MI. He’s my friend. We don’t talk often, but when we do there’s a kindredship there that I can’t explain. And his focus on prayer has always resonated with me. I’m proud to call him my friend.
There are many other men who have had influence over my life, but this is my list of preachers who have impacted my 50 years. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t mention some Godly women who have also helped me in my spiritual journey…
Esther Leach, my grandmother. She took me to church when no one else went. I sat with her and tucked under her arm. She prayed for me right up until the day she left to be with Jesus.
Ada Jean Wilcox. My childhood Sunday School teacher. She was the one praying with me when I got saved. Later in life she attended my ordination.
Sharon Jolly. My Christian school teacher. She impressed upon me the need to memorize scripture.
Barbara Combs. Or as my kids call her, Memaw. She and Pastor took me in when I was homeless. She did my laundry while I was at work and left snacks in my room. She remains dear to my heart.
Rosa Emma Honeycutt, Tennessee. Faithful for all these years, and with her head held high and a smile on her face… her example has always been a blessing to me.
Carolyn Burton, Tennessee. Long-time treasurer of Charity Baptist Mission. She cares. Has always cared. The missionaries are just an extension of her family as far as she’s concerned. And we agree.
Carrie Leach. My wife. She followed me, and is still following me.
