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. 

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!”

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.