Bishop Larry A. Boyd is the founding Pastor and Teacher of the Open Praise Full Gospel Baptist Church. His religious education was received through extensive religious studies from Andersonville Baptist Seminary of Camilla Georgia and the direct tutelage of his pastor, the Late Rev. W.L. Jones, founder of the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church of Buffalo, N.Y.

Pastor Boyd, licensed to preach in Jan. 1976 and ordained in Feb. 1980, received the call to pastor the Macedonia Baptist Church of Buffalo, N.Y. from May 1980 to September 1991. Conceiving in his heart a vision of higher praise, the Lord acknowledged to him it was time to form a fresh new new ministry. After much travail, in Sept. 1991 the Open Praise Baptist Church was born. Pastor Boyd, a family man, along with his wife Adrian, partner together in prayer for the Church’s vision.

Here at Open Praise we are a Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship, committed to Biblical Principles of Life, Love and Forgiveness. We are Open Praisers, public and expressive in our Praise, Worship and Witness.

We worship as a choir in chorus not as soloists in competition. We worship as participators rather than spectators. We stand up to praise and worship in proper protocol before our God, acknowledging His presence in our midst. It is safe to praise God aloud with us, for we will partner together with you to worship in the beauty of holiness, creating a habitation for our God. We enjoy Christ and celebrate His presence in our assembly. The joy and victory released through clapping, shouting and dancing are all part of our expressions of praise.

We hold that every believer has a ministry of reconciliation and intercession. All who minister the life of Christ to one another, function in the love of Christ. That love is unconditional and it covers weakness and sin with strength and forgiveness.

We ask and expect the Holy Spirit to be present here and to distribute gifts among us according to His will. Every believer is urged to be free to minister all the spiritual gifts, operating submissively, decently, and in order. Our services embrace three areas of focus:

Worship - Corporate songs, prayer, praise and giving, which is our ministry to the Lord.

Fellowship - Cell prayer, sharing, and personal interaction, which is our  ministry to the believers.

Discipleship - Consecrated preaching and teaching of the Word, which equips us for our ministry to the world.

To present Christ in a progressive positive way full of purpose, to all people, in an environment when people can grow to their full potential in Christ.

To be a growing congregation modeling the life of Christ by demonstration, expressing our faith.

To identify, train and support believers and leaders who carry the ministry of this local assembly into the world by providing a place to encounter God in worship and in encouragement.

To reach out to a greater area by working in cooperation with other ministries and associations to reach the region for Christ.

To provide a forum to assist people in building relationships, responding to needs, hurts and interests in the midst of a deprived society.