Former Crossworld general director Al Larson passed into glory on Nov. 5, 2014. Al led UFM North America (now Crossworld) as general director (president) from 1966-1991. In the early 1960s, Al served as the mission’s field team leader during the Simba uprising in the Congo ― an event chronicled in Out of the Jaws of the Lion by Homer Dowdy, who described Al as “the bravest man in Africa.”

Arrangements

A memorial service for Al was held on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Florida. Donations to the Al Larson Memorial Fund may be made online or by mail with checks payable to Crossworld at 10000 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64155.

Biography

Alfred (Al) Frederick Larson was born on Oct. 28, 1928, to Bruno and Ruth Larson in New York City, N.Y. After his mother died when he was one year old, Al was raised in the Kallman Home for Children. He trusted Christ at age 13, and he committed his life totally to Christ during his teen years.

Al’s love for music grew when a Salvation Army musician volunteered to teach brass instruments and form a band at the Kallman Home. Al practiced hard and eventually was able to help by teaching the beginners. His hard work in more than just music drew the attention of a donor, who offered him a partial scholarship for college. To cover further college expenses, Al returned to the Kallman Home as a housefather, being just 2-3 years older than the older boys. So Al became the first “kid from the Home” (as he sometimes referred to himself) to graduate from high school and college.

Al met his future wife, Jean, while at college in New York. They were married June 10, 1950, and shortly after joined UFM (now Crossworld) to go to the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo). His background in music helped Al build relationships with Congolese. Using instruments he collected as he spoke in North American churches, Al trained Congolese to play and formed a brass band with them.

Al served as the UFM field leader during the the Simba Rebellion in 1964, when dozens of workers were held hostage and 19 were martyred. Al was among the first to be freed by the rescuers and was responsible for saving the lives of 24 of those being held.

Upon return to the U.S., Al was appointed as general director of UFM, a position he held for the next 25 years. He often represented UFM at churches and colleges in the U.S. and Canada, and he spent much time visiting, advising and encouraging workers overseas.

Al retired as general director from UFM in 1991, and he and Jean moved to a retirement community in Florida. Al continued to serve Christ at the retirement community through a hospice program, Bible studies, prayer groups and even a brass ensemble, until his death on Nov. 5, 2014.

Al is survived by his wife, Jean; daughter, Carol and granddaughter, Glenna; nephew Mark and his daughter, Regina.

Tributes

“[Al] was a small man who was larger than life. Anyone who joined UFM International under Al Larson’s leadership, as my wife and I did, will attest to Al’s stature. Though he measured well under six feet tall, he was the man everyone looked up to. A leader who constantly pointed people to God’s standard, when Al opened the Word of God, people listened. He spoke with clarity and conviction. He inspired people to follow him. From his humble beginnings as a tough kid from Brooklyn, God made Al into a man who, like King David of old, shepherded His people ‘with integrity of heart, and guided them with his skillful hands’ (Psalm 78:72). Through Al, God touched thousands of lives around the world, and I am forever grateful to have been one of them.” ―Dale Losch, Crossworld President

“The first time I heard Al speak … was the first time I heard of the countless millions without the opportunity to hear of Jesus. I don’t remember anything else of his message, but I do remember well that first time I was challenged to consider the plight of the unreached of our world.” ―John Spadafora, Crossworld Director of Church Connections

“It is Al’s humble yet determined focus on serving God and others that I remember. He did not want any glory to go to himself. He protected those he could protect … [and] he did all he could to stay physically fit by regularly exercising when under arrest, so when the opportunity came to leave he would be fit for action. He dedicated his life for mission, so the gospel could go to the unreached.”―Ted and Dana Witmer, Crossworld workers in Congo

“I remember we were telling Al he needed a raise to get by in the U.S. He said no — he would not take any income that might be more than the highest paid missionary on the field. So often they just went without. But God saw him through and blessed us as a mission. What a legacy he has left us. I will never forget his testimony, his wit and his smile.” ―JD Smith, Crossworld board member

“In these last years, we were able to visit Al and Jean several times in their retirement, and we always came away encouraged. Al and Jean have been some of our lifelong mentors, coaching by word and by life example. Al now gets to start anew in an eternal life of service to the Lord, no age limitations and no holds barred.” ―J & R, Crossworld workers in the U.S.

“I was always impressed by Al’s humility. No name plate on his office door. He and all the associate directors had offices of the same size and the only distinction was that Al had a picture of [his wife] Jean on his desk. What a godly man.” ―Rich and Jo Mellette, Crossworld workers in Quebec

“Al made a huge impression on my dad when my dad drove to Bala (Crossworld headquarters). Dad had no idea [Al] was the president, but Al went outside when he saw dad pull in and asked if he could help him. Al put my dad, who was a new Christian at the time, completely at ease. We know [Al] is rejoicing in his Lord and Savior he so faithfully served. Just imagine his reunion with those who gave their lives in Congo 50 years ago.” ―Phyllis Schmid, Crossworld worker in Haiti

Contact

Please keep the Larson family in your prayers during this time. You can send a sympathy card to Jean Larson c/o Crossworld, 10000 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City MO 64155.