I grew up as a child in India with missionary parents.  My parents' whole life was driven to introducing men and women to Jesus Christ.  Doing the same was built into my "DNA"

I was ordained to the ministry in Sarasota, FL in 1967.  Much of my ministry over the last 40 years was in church planting.  I served several years as District Minister of the Sarasota churches, which included Bahia Vista.  I learned during that time to appreciate many of the people of this congregation and to walk with the congregation through some hard times.  When we moved back to Sarasota to retire, the natural draw was to BVMC.  The promise of God to supply wisdom when asked for is what has been my source of strength to answer God's call all along the way in my ministry.

Larry Diener is our music pastor.  He joined the pastoral team in the summer of 2003 and provides leadership for all our worship services, music activities and special events.  He is a gifted director and worship planner, and draws out the musical gifts of others.

Larry’s wife, Doris, is also very involved in the life and ministry of the congregation through her involvement with women’s ministries, discipleship groups and various music groups.  She serves as president of the Southeast Mennonite Conference women’s organization. 

Larry and Doris have three grown children who are married and committed to the Lord.  The precious grandchildren live “up North,” so Larry and Doris travel on occasion to connect with family.

As for Larry’s formal education, he is a graduate of Hesston College (A.A.), Goshen College (B.A.), and has a master of music education degree (M.M.) from Central Michigan University.

For most of Larry’s professional career, he was a music teacher.  His first teaching assignment was on a Choctaw Indian Reservation in Philadelphia, MS.  Following that, he and Doris taught in the public school in Fairview, Michigan, and then at Lake Center Christian School in Hartville, Ohio.  These teaching experiences encompassed vocal and instrumental music to students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade.  Many of Larry’s high school choirs went to state competition.

In addition to directing the adult choir, the handbell choir, the children’s handbell choir and planning the music for all the worship services, Larry’s responsibilities at the church include planning the Sunday evening services and chairing the pastors and elders’ meetings.

Ministry to men is also close to Larry’s heart, so he is involved with planning for the annual men’s retreat and ministers in various ways to men of the congregation and the community.

Larry’s motto for music at Bahia Vista is: “May the Lord be honored in all our music making!”