Larry Mills, the first coordinator for domestic church planting in the PCA, has died. He passed away on August 3, 2025, his 87th birthday, just weeks after the death of his wife Sally Poole Mills. He was born in Concord, North Carolina, on August 3, 1938, the son of Harry and Bertie Mills. He earned his undergraduate degree from Belhaven College and went on to study at Westminster Theological Seminary, Reformed Episcopal Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary.
Mills was ordained by Southern Mississippi Presbytery (PCUS) in 1965. From 1965-1973 he pastored three Presbyterian churches in Mississippi. In July 1973 representatives from 13 congregations met to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church (US) and organize a new presbytery as part of the Continuing Church movement. Mills attended the meeting and signed the resolution to withdraw on behalf of the session of Hoyte Memorial Church. The withdrawing churches organized Grace Presbytery.
When the Presbyterian Church in America held its first General Assembly in December 1973, Mills was tapped to lead the new denomination’s church planting efforts as the coordinator of Mission to the U.S., now called Mission to North America.
Current MNA Coordinator Irwyn Ince met Mills in 2023 at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Ince issued this statement on Mills’ passing:
“I met TE Larry Mills for the first time two years ago while on a visit to serve at First Presbyterian Church Jackson. What a privilege and delight it was to talk with him about the beginning years of the PCA and his service as the first MNA Coordinator. He was still full of pep and passion! While we rejoice that he is beholding our Savior face to face, we pray for the comforting power and presence of the Holy Spirit to rest upon his family and our brothers and sisters at First Jackson in this hour.”
After his tenure at Mission to the U.S., Mills worked as an evangelist in Honolulu, Hawaii, and then as pastor of Hilton Head Presbyterian Church in South Carolina.
After a season of pastoral ministry, Mills transitioned to serving in other contexts. He was assistant to the president of Far East Broadcasting Company and the executive director and CEO of Liebenzell Mission. He also maintained a close relationship with his alma mater, Belhaven College, serving as assistant to the college president and executive director of the Belhaven Foundation from 2003-2014.
Mills is survived by his four children, Larry, Jr. (Jenny), Sarah (Reese Hazel), Stephen (Svetlana), and Elizabeth (Chris McMahon), nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Sally.
Memorial contributions in Mills’ honor can be sent to either Belhaven University, where Larry and Sally first met and in 2013 received the Alumni of the Year award, or to the French Camp Academy.
Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1390 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Visitation will be held prior to the Memorial Service from 10-11 a.m.