Larry W. Poland, Ph.D

Larry W. Poland, Ph.D., Biographical Data

SHORT FORM Media - Photos

Larry Poland is a native of Ohio and a graduate of Wheaton (Illinois) College with a Bachelor's degree in sociology. Dr. Poland also earned Masters and Ph. D. degrees from Purdue University in college administration and a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary.

Having placed his personal faith in Jesus Christ as a small boy, Dr. Poland committed his life to God for vocational Christian service while an exchange student to Germany in 1956. In 1967 he was seeking a greater spiritual challenge and prayed, "God, give me a job so great that if You don't undertake, I'll never be able to do it." In three days he was asked to assume the position of president of Miami Christian College in Miami, Florida, making him the youngest college president in the United States at age twenty-seven.

Dr. Poland is past director of the Agape Movement, an international volunteer service organization under Campus Crusade for Christ, Intl. This movement trained more than 800 volunteers for service and opened 35 nations for volunteers during his eight years of leadership. He has traveled to 90 countries of the world.

Dr. Poland has been a college professor, founded WMCU-FM, the first Christian radio station in Miami, Florida, and was executive producer of the world's largest traveling mixed media production, World Thrust. He is an ordained minister, lecturer, conference speaker, consultant, and writer. He has authored numerous articles in national periodicals and six books, Spirit Power, Rise to Conquer, The Last Temptation of Hollywood, The Coming Persecution, Master Key, and a novel, 2084.

Media has been a key part of Dr. Poland's life since the late 1970's when he hosted an issues-oriented television talk show which was syndicated in major TV markets across Canada. He hosts a short radio feature, The Mediator, which is aired daily on hundreds of radio stations.

Dr. Poland is founder, chairman, and CEO of Mastermedia International, a ministry to the top leadership of film and television in Hollywood and New York, and one which seeks to keep Christian believers informed of the spiritual dynamics inside media. He's the recipient of the coveted Covenant Award for significant, Christian influence on the secular media and the founder of the National Media Prayer Breakfast.

Harvest House publishers included Dr. Poland on their list of "The 365 most influential people in the world" based on his network of relationships with those holding global media power.

Larry and his wife, Donna Lynn have six children, Christian, Desiree, Cherish, Destiny, Chalet, and Valor. Larry's hobbies include building model ships and collecting toy trains.

 

LONG FORM

PERSONAL AND FAMILY BACKGROUND

Birth Year: 1939
Birthplace: Mansfield, Ohio
Parents: Frank J. and Alta E. Poland of Winona Lake, Indiana
Parents' vocations: Father is retired from business management for the Home Missions Council of the Grace Brethren denomination (1950-1981).
Mother is deceased.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

  • Diploma Warsaw High School, Warsaw, Indiana, 1957
  • B. A. Social science with major in sociology, Wheaton (Illinois) College, 1961
  • M. Div. Theology, Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, 1966
  • M. S. Educational administration with minors in social science and political science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 1966
  • Ph. D. Educational administration with minors in sociology and political> science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 1967

VOCATIONAL HISTORY

  • 1961-65 Registrar, director of financial aid, and director of admissions, Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana.
  • 1961-65 Teaching fellow in sociology and speech, Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana.
  • 1966-67 Assistant to the president and dean in charge of institutional studies. Coordinated research and preparation of materials for college's candidacy for regional accreditation with the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
  • 1967-73 President of Miami Christian College, Miami Florida. Took a faltering Bible college with "minus net worth" and approximately 50 students to a campus worth approximately three million dollars and a student body of approximately 300 including extension students. Secured accreditation with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, broadened the curriculum to a liberal arts program, and laid the foundation for regional accreditation candidacy.
  • 1973-81 Director of the Agape Movement of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, San Bernardino, California. In this role developed recruitment, screening, training, and service functions for two professional people sent into international service for two year terms. In eight years sent 800 volunteers into 35 nations.
  • 1975-80 Developer and director of World Thrust (part of Campus Crusade for Christ), an urban conference strategy for challenging Christian laymen to involvement in international service. Held 18 conferences in the U. S. and Canada with an average attendance of 1000 per event and involving145 Christian missions agencies.
  • 1981-83 Developer and director of the Strategy Resource Network (part of Campus Crusade for Christ), an international computer network tracking Christian world evangelism.
  • 1981-85 Developer and director of Associates in Media (part of Campus Crusade for Christ International), a ministry to leaders in the entertainment industry providing spiritual motivation, challenge, and counsel.
  • 1985-91 Senior Minister of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Redlands, California. The church grew from an attendance of 325 to over 800, purchased property for construction of a new facility and mounted a capital fund campaign which reached nearly two million dollars in commitments.
  • 1985- Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Mastermedia International, a ministry to leaders of film and television in Hollywood and New York. By 2005 the organization had 27 staff members, a budget of 2.5 million dollars a year, a radio program heard daily on 500 plus stations and biweekly on an additional 900 stations, and regular and significant influence on the lives of VP-level executives in all four TV networks, six major film studios, and a host of top media professionals.

STRUCTURES INITIATED

  • 1971 Founded radio station WMCU-FM in Miami, Florida, a 100,000 watt, non- commercial, educational, stereo, FM station, part of Miami Christian College. The station was the first Christian radio station
    in Miami.
  • 1971 Founded University Christian School, an elementary model school for the education department of Miami Christian College.
  • 1973 Developed the Agape Movement, an international, volunteer service agency founded by Bill Bright, president of Campus Crusade for Christ, International.
  • 1975 Founded and developed World Thrust, a nationwide, media-based, conference strategy which included what at that time was the world's largest traveling mixed media production. Was the executive producer of the five hour media production.
  • 1978 Founded Missions Leadership Seminars, a conference strategy to expose Christian missions executives to improved management skills, personnel practices, training procedures, and operational methods.
  • 1979 Founded Arrowhead Christian Academy, a Christian junior and senior high school in Redlands, California.
  • 1980 Founded the Coalition for Moral Courage, a coalition of groups seeking to influence society in Southern California for biblical standards of morality.
  • 1981 Founded the Strategy Resource Network, an international computer network for Christian evangelism research.
  • 1981 Founded Associates in Media, a Christian ministry to leaders of the entertainment industry.
  • 1983 Established the first communications institute for the International Christian Graduate University.
  • 1985 Founded Mastermedia International, Inc., a Christian ministry to leaders in film and television in Hollywood and New York.
  • 1987 Created a short radio feature, "The Mediator" aired on Christian radio stations.
  • 1999 Created the Summit of Christian Media Professionals
  • 2004 Founded the National Media Prayer Breakfast.
  • 2005 Created the National Media Prayer Day.

MEDIA INVOLVEMENT

  • 1971 Hosted a Christian TV talk show called "Turning Point" aired briefly in south Florida and northern Indiana.
  • 1971 - 73 Speaker on one daily radio program and two weekly programs on WMCU-FM, Miami, Florida.
  • 1975 - 77 Executive producer and platform host of "World Thrust" media production, at the time the largest traveling mixed media production in the world.
  • 1980-83 Hosted a series of hour-long, prime time TV specials syndicated in major Canadian television markets. This "Phil Donahue style" program presented solutions to t tough problems.
  • 1982 Hosted an hour-long TV program for a Christian organization serving people in countries outside the free world. The program was syndicated in major markets.
  • 1982 Hosted an hour-long TV program for an international missionary aviation organization. The program was syndicated in major markets.
  • 1987- Hosts "The Mediator" a short radio feature aired weekdays on more than 350 Christian radio stations and twice a month on more than 900.
  • 1996 Cassette tape album: "Defending Yourself Against Media's Evil Influences"

PUBLICATIONS

  • 1969-76 Authored numerous articles appearing in publications including Christian Life, Campus Life, Sunday School Times, Worldwide Challenge, and Collegiate Challenge.
  • 1978 Authored Spirit Power, a book of practical principles for Christian living, published by Here's Life Publishers.
  • 1979 Authored Rise to Conquer, a book advocating a "kingdom mentality" or a conquering world view based on biblical teaching about the kingdom. Published by Christian Herald Books.
  • 1988 Authored The Last Temptation of Hollywood, the inside, unreported story of the events leading up to, during, and after the release of the Universal Pictures film, The Last Temptation of Christ. Published by Mastermedia International.
  • 1989 Authored How to Prepare for the Coming Persecution, a penetrating analysis of anti-Christian trends in society in the light of biblical prophecy. Published by Here's Life Publishers.
  • 1991 Authored 2084, a novel of biblical fantasy fiction set in the kingdom reign of Jesus Christ described in biblical prophecy.
  • 1997 Authored Master Key, a growth experience for Christian media professionals which is used as a study guide for many media groups.
  • 2003 Authored “Is the Passion of Jesus Anti-Semitic?” a booklet for Jews and Christians to examine the issue.
  • 2004 Authored “The Master Plan for the Chosen People,” a booklet overview of the centrality of the Jewish people and culture in the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament of the Bible.

SPEAKING, COUNSELING, AND CONSULTING

Has spoken nationally and internationally since 1967 to hundreds of churches, conferences, and retreats and scores of executive and professional gatherings. Has more than 300 audio cassette tapes available.

Has consulted with leadership of missions agencies, Christian media operations, churches, and secular media organizations primarily in management and personnel matters.

Maintains an active personal and family counseling involvement.

BOARD INVOLVEMENT

Past:
Board of Trustees, Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana
Board of Trustees, South American Mission, Lake Worth, Florida
Board of Trustees, Miami Christian School, Miami, Florida
Executive Board of the Evangelical Foreign Missions Association, Washington, D. C.
Board of Elders, Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Redlands, California
Board of Directors, Valencia Studios, Valencia, California

Present:
Board of Trustees, Arrowhead Christian Academy, Redlands, California

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Past:
Rotary International, Miami, Florida, and San Bernardino, California
Phi Delta Kappa, honorary professional society for educators
Ministerium, National Fellowship of Brethren Churches
Ministerial Association, Evangelical Free Church of America, Southwest District

Present:
National Religious Broadcasters Association
National Association of Television Program Executives
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
Trinity Evangelical Free Church

HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS

  • 1957 High school student body president and national speech contest winner
  • 1957-58 President, freshman class, Wheaton (Illinois) College
  • 1958-61 Student council, Wheaton College
  • 1968-70 Listed in Outstanding Young Men of the South as the youngest college prexy in U. S.
  • 1973 Ordination to the Christian ministry in the National Fellowship of Brethren Churches, July 21, 1973
  • 1975-80 Selected for listing in more than 15 "Who's Who" type publications
  • 1980 Listed in Contemporary Authors
  • 1985 Recipient of the "Golden Eagle Award" given annually by Arrowhead Christian Academy
  • 1989 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Grace Theological Seminary
  • 1996 Recipient of the Covenant Award for positive influence on American media by the Radio and TV Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
  • 1999 Listed by Harvest House Publishers as one of "The 365 Most Influential People in the World" in its publication, Praying for the World's 365 Most Influential People
  • 2000 Chosen for listing in Who's Who in Executives and Professionals
  • 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award by California Pacific School of Theology
  • 2004 Made board member emeritus of Arrowhead Christian Academy for role as founder of the institution
  • 2006 Given the Foundations of Faith Award by Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for pursuit of a positive and successful approach to media leadership and for example of Christian leadership

TRAVEL: NINETY COUNTRIES

  • 1956 Exchange student to Germany and France
  • 1962 Mexico
  • 1964 Fourteen countries in an around-the-world tour
  • 1971 Israel and the Middle East - five countries
  • 1973 South America - three countries
  • 1973-80 Sixty countries including the People's Republic of China in 1979
  • 1987 England
  • 1989 Japan and Hong Kong
  • 1992 Estonia and Russia
  • 1993 Russia, Siberia, Germany, Belgium
  • 1994 Switzerland,Russia
  • 1995 Russia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Croatia
  • 1996 Russia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy, France, England
  • 1999 Spain, Italy
  • 2000 Australia, New Zealand
  • 2002 Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Russia
  • 2004 Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Russia

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Wife: Donna Lynn Poland

Wife's Education:
B. A. Psychology, Wheaton (Illinois) College, 1962
Graduate course work Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana 1965
M. S. Guidance and Counseling, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 1966

Wife's Professional Experience:
Has taught elementary and secondary school, college psychology; now teaches middle school and high school social studies.
Is a speaker, homemaker, and author of Handle With Care, a study guide for Christian mother-child relationships
Full time teacher at Arrowhead Christian Academy, middle schoolsocial studies

Children:
Christian Mark, 1967, an attorney with Brian Cave in Chicago, Illinois
Desiree Marie, born 1968, an interior designer with Toyota Corporate.
Cherish Faith, born 1971, homemaker and in ministry with Search Ministries.
Destiny Joy, born 1973, homemaker.
Chalet Celeste, born 1979, employed by Christianity Today.
Valor Nathan, born 1983, graduate, Seattle Pacific University.

AVOCATIONS

Building model sailing ships
Collecting books on sailing ships
Collecting and operating old toy trains
Collecting international military medals
Collecting international coins

 

Media - Photos