As the CEF Chicago staff sent out the Summer newsletter they noted that the last mailing for Larry and Linda Craelius went with it. Larry went to be with the Lord June 29, 2020. As the address sticker was placed on the letter they remembered who Larry was and the legacy he left. The staff looked back on what a blessing it was to work alongside him and his lovely wife, Linda.
“’I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’” – John 15:5
Larry was a man of prayer who both loved and relied on Jesus wholeheartedly. His heart for ministry was evident weekly from calling into the CEF Chicago prayer call each Monday morning to serving as board chairman for CEF of Chicago once a month on Thursday nights. In total, Larry started and ran 7 Good News Clubs with CEF Chicago. He blessed the ministry of CEF by being a point person for a location where the Christian Youth In Action program ran out of for 10 years.
Larry found out about CEF Chicago 12 years ago when he sat in on a CEF training that CEF Director Jonathan King was leading at NewLife Portage Park Church. Larry caught the vision of CEF and sharing the gospel with kids. The following year he started his first Good News Club in a portage park public school. He later became a part of the board and came on as board chairman in 3 short years. God moved through Larry and blessed his ministry.
Anyone who met Larry knew he loved the Lord and served Him with his whole heart. Will you join us in praying for his wife and family? We are so grateful for the man Larry was and are in awe of the legacy of faithfulness he left behind.
