Paying it Forward: Faith That Shapes Every Corner of Life

Larry Langdon’s life illustrates InterVarsity’s vision — when students follow Christ into every corner of life, their vocation becomes world-changing.

Larry first connected with InterVarsity in the late 1950s as a student leader at Ohio State. Discipled by InterVarsity staff Joe Martin, Larry grew in the conviction that Jesus is Lord over every part of life — including vocation. That belief shaped a career that would impact global business, government, and the church.

After law school, Larry began his career at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel before moving into corporate leadership, eventually serving as Vice President of Tax, Licensing, and Customs at Hewlett-Packard. In 1999, he returned to the IRS to help lead a major reform of the agency. Later, as a partner at Mayer Brown LLP, he became known worldwide as “a great tax mind,” while mentoring the next generation of legal and business leaders.

Thanks to his early connection to InterVarsity, Larry saw his vocation as more than just his career. At the age of 80, he used his vast expertise for the good of others, leading a pro bono legal team that defended churches from property fraud and restored their congregations’ buildings. Together with his wife, Sue, he has invested deeply in InterVarsity, Fuller Seminary, and Menlo Church — all organizations that raise up leaders for the church and the world.