Dr. Larry W. Poland, a beloved figure in the Christian community, passed away on May 3, 2023 at the age of 83.

Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Larry placed his faith in Jesus Christ as a young boy.  At age 17, while on an exchange-student program in Germany, he committed his life to God for vocational Christian service.  In pursuit of this calling, Larry attended Wheaton College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. He went on to earn Master's and Ph.D. degrees in College Administration from Purdue University, as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary.

Dr. Poland's impact on the Christian community became far-reaching.  His passion for serving God led him to become the youngest college president in the United States when he assumed the presidency of Miami Christian College in 1967 at the age of 27.  While serving at MCC, he founded WMCU-FM, the first Christian radio station in Miami.  God then called him to Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU) in California, where he served in several executive-level roles, including as director of the Agape Movement, the international missions division of CCC. The Agape Movement trained more than 800 missionaries for service and opened 35 nations for volunteers during his eight years of leadership.  This role took Larry to 80 countries, as he and his team sought to take the gospel "to the ends of the earth." While with CCC, Dr. Poland also served as executive producer of the world's largest traveling mixed media production, World Thrust, and began CCC's ministry to media personnel in Hollywood.  He thereafter followed God's calling to found a new organization, Mastermedia International, a ministry to the top leadership of film and television in Hollywood and New York, which he led from 1985 to 2016.

When other significant needs arose, with God's strength, he served those too.  In 1979, he and his wife Donna Lynn concluded there was a need for an academically and spiritually strong Christian junior high and high school in their area, so they co-founded Arrowhead Christian Academy, which grew to be a leading Christian school in the Inland Empire (and is now part of Redlands Christian Schools).  He also served as the head pastor of Trinity Evangelical Free Church from 1985 to 1991.

He was also a prolific writer, authoring numerous articles in national periodicals and seven books, including Spirit Power, Rise to Conquer, The Last Temptation of Hollywood, The Coming Persecution, Master Key, 2084, Lion's Den Survival Principles, and Miracle Walk.

Media was a key part of Dr. Poland's life since the late 1970s when he hosted an issues-oriented television talk show that was syndicated in major TV markets across Canada. He hosted a short radio feature, The Mediator, which was aired daily on hundreds of radio stations for 18 years.  He was also frequently sought as a speaker, minister, and commentator for Christian leadership events, ministries, and programming.

To his family and friends he was known as a wonderfully positive, personable man of great generosity and vision who loved to share his faith and loved to be in the company of his dear family. His favorite hobby was collecting toy trains, which also became an avenue for him to develop new relationships and encourage others to develop and grow in their Christian faith.

Dr. Poland offered a lifetime of encouraging words to others, and in one of his ministry roles, he sought to inspire his ministry team by writing a song that they would sing together:  "My total reason for being here is to glorify God with my life . . . ."  His daily commitment was to live this out.

Dr. Poland's legacy in the Christian community will not be forgotten. His impact on Christian media and education will continue to inspire future generations to pursue their passions and serve God with their whole heart.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna Lynn, their six children, Christian (Jennifer), Desirée (Al), Cherish (Craig), Destiny (Mike), Châlet (Jim), and Valor (Karen), and fourteen grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. at College Church, Washington and Seminary St., Wheaton, Illinois.  The service will be livestreamed beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST through this link: Memorial Service for Larry Poland . Private interment was held at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to JesusOnline (jesusonlineministries.org) , or to College Church ( college-church.org ).