2022 HOMETOWN HEROES MAGAZINE

Page 16 2022 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May / June 2022 O pen Arms Christian Fellowship Pastor Larry Crawford loves God and his community. As you walk in the doors of the church, signs show “You matter here” to God and us. For over 30 years, Crawford has been ministering in the central Illinois area. Crawford has had ties to the Lincoln community since 1986 when he was a freshman at Lincoln Christian College. He received a bachelor’s degree from LCC in 1991. In 2013, Crawford received his master’s degree from Lincoln Christian University. In April 2007, Open Arms was established. Crawford said the first year, they met in Chestervale Township at the home of Kevin and Charlene Wolf. Soon, there were more people attending than the home could hold. Therefore, Crawford said they had to find a different meeting place. From June 1, 2008 to July 12, 2015, the church held services in the former Gossett’s Cleaners building on Broadway Street in Lincoln. The church continued to bring in more people. Crawford said in 2015 the church began leasing a building that formerly held Family Dollar. Sunday July 19, 2015, the day after the church’s Family Fun Day, they began holding services there. As the church continued to grow, Crawford said they began offering two services. Now the loves God and loves his communi ty Pastor Larry Crawford Continue 8