The Gathering

Larry Kreider
President & CEO

Larry Kreider is a native of Colorado and has lived in the Orlando area since 1987. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and has attended Reformed Theological Seminary.

He serves on the boards of several civic and ministry organizations including Venture Middle East. He is the former President of Greater Orlando Leadership Foundation and part of the faculty of "Success That Matters Seminars" sponsored by Man In The Mirror Ministries. He is on the steering committee of the National Coalition of Men's Ministries and was one of the founding members. He is author of Bottom Line Faith published by Tyndale House, and teaches a seminary course, "Men's Ministry in the Church."

Since John's move to Dallas, Larry has taken over the teaching of BASICS Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church/Orlando. Larry and his wife, Susan, have two grown children, Brett and Erica and five grandsons. He enjoys golf and video production.

Doug Kreider
Chief Operating Officer

Doug Kreider, grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, graduated from the University of Wyoming, and got an MBA from Azusa Pacific University. He worked for Campus Life magazine, Camfel Productions, and Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living. He worked for Adult Ministries with his brother Larry in Houston and when it merged with The Gathering in 1987, they moved to Orlando.

Doug has responsibility for financial and accounting systems for The Gathering and numerous Gathering affiliates and client organizations. He also has overall responsibility for office management and mailings.

Doug is a member and active at Northland Community Church. He has a grown daughter, Celeste.

Brett Kreider
Orlando Director

Brett Kreider is a native of Houston, Texas and has lived in the Orlando area since 1987. He graduated from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Brett joined The Gathering in April of 2004 and completed a "hat-trick" with three Kreiders employed in the Orlando office. Previously he worked in the Telecommunications industry in the area of sales and business development.

Brett and his wife, Heather, attend Windermere Community Church. They have three sons; Ian, David and Gabriel. He enjoys sports, art and web design.

Lu Langston
Gathering of Women Director

Lu was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida where she committed her life to Jesus Christ in high school through the ministry of Young Life. After graduation she moved to California to work as a "can-can" dancer while volunteering as a Young Life leader at a local high school.

Sensing God's call to full-time ministry with Young Life, she moved to Atlanta where she reconnected with her high school friend, Freddie Langston, and after a year and a half, she married this now best friend and partner in ministry.

Together they were sent to St. Petersburg, Florida to pioneer Young Life there. Because of Fred's musical gifts, they branched out into Youth for Christ, Presbyterians for Renewal, and many other vital Christian organizations. God also blessed them with three wonderful children during those years and when the youngest graduated from highschool in 1998, they also "graduated" from full-time youth ministry.

In December 1999, they moved to Orlando for Lu to respond to the call to become The Gathering's first Director of Women's Ministry. Luke, their oldest son, is a graduate of Flagler College in St. Augustine and also Gordon Conwell Seminary. He is the Pastor to Young Adults at First Baptist Gandy in St. Petersburg, FL. Luke and his wife Dana have a precious little boy named Ian. Freddie and Lu's middle son, Leighton, suffered a major heart attack on a soccer field at the age of 18 and after 6 days in a coma, the Lord took him home (June 29, 1995). Labri, their youngest child and only daughter is also a graduate of Flagler College and is living and working here in Orlando as the Director of Children's Programming at Discovery Church. She also travels and sings with the Jonny Diaz Band and is a real ham...wonder where she gets that from??? Lu feels like she has been to the top of the mountain in her faith but also has brushed the gates of the pit of hell and lived to tell about it...which she LOVES to do =)...to God be the glory!

Freddie Langston
Musician/Humorist/All Around Great Guy

The newest member of the Orlando crew is Freddie Langston. With many years of ministry from the early days of Young Life to the traveling concert ministry, Freddie brings a large arsenal of experience. His greatest attribute is his bride of 36 years, Lu the Gathering of Women's director.

Working closely with Larry and Brett to seek ways of being flexible in the Gathering arenas, Freddie is a utility player willing to play on any part of the field that is needing some action.

There is still a lot of kick left in this known to be fun-filled crazy guy and he continues to even do concerts for the youth around the country. There is also a corporate oriented program of music and motivation that when fully ramped up will be a strong part of Freddie's ministry.

With his giftedness being available please contact the Gathering office if you feel Freddie could be used in your ministry to men and families.

Kathy Pierson
Administrative Assistant

Kathy Pierson works for The Gathering as the Administrative Assistant for Larry Kreider and Doug Kreider. She is a "retired" R.N. who is enjoying working in ministry. She gets the opportunity to use her nursing skills by volunteering at Shepherd's Hope - an organization that provides free medical care for those with no health insurance. She is a real asset to us because of her positive attitude and her people skills. Kathy, Allen, and their three children (Matt, Ben and Katie) are transplants from Pennsylvania and have lived in Orlando since 1990. They attend and are active at First Baptist Church of Orlando.

It is a pleasure to work with Kathy. Her pleasant voice is often the one you will hear when you call our office - be sure and say something funny - she has a great laugh!

Julia McLean
Administrative Assistant

Julia McLean, a native of Michigan, but a Floridian since she was in high school, serves as an Administrative Assistant along side her friend Kathy. She joined The Gathering in December of 2005 and has an extensive background in the banking industry, thus making her an incredible asset to the program. Julia is married to Daniel, a former Presbyterian Minister and together they have four remarkable children; Joshua, Johnpaul, Joanna and Leah. In 1993, Julia committed her life to Christ and has been a faithful follower of His ever since. The Gathering has allowed Julia an opportunity to expand her vision of what God wishes to do in her life and looks forward, daily, to His surprises and blessings.

Aside from being a wonderful asset, she is also a woman filled with vision, energy and curiosity. Her role here has afforded her the opportunity to explore new ideas in ministry and she welcomes the chance to meet any who dare enter their doorway. It is also very important to note that Julia has two very important life savers in her life: Molly and Teddy - her precious tea cup poodles. Danile has been noted to say that he has been replaced in her will by these "loves of her life"! Poor Daniel...but, lucky Molly and Teddy.