Pastor Benjamin Holmes Bio
Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. Holmes’ Profile
Education
Graduated from A. S. Staley High School, Americus, Georgia
Attended Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, Georgia
Doctor of Divinity Degree, Theological Institute Houston, Texas (1986)
Associate Degree – Religious Studies 1996 Calumet College – Whiting, Indiana
B.A. Degree Religious Studies, and Pastoral Psychology (May, 1998)
Accomplishments
Founder & Pastor of the New Friendship Baptist Church in 1958 (49 years)
Moved into sanctuary located at 1545 Waite Street in 1969
Moved into our new sanctuary May, 2000
Church grew from 8 members in 1958 to over 600 at present (2007)
Church owns most of the property surrounding it, which includes 11 parcels of land.
Has ordained 19 Licensed Ministers
Overseer of 13 Associate Ministers, and 20 Ministries
Has a active Sunday School Department
Blessed with 2 Sunday Services and Daily Prayer Services
Bible Basic Classes, Christian Education Classes and Quarterly Leadership Conferences
Conducts Revivals Annually
Food Pantry and clothes give-away
Worked at United States Steel
Teaches in the District & State Convention
Certified Substitute Teacher in the Gary Community School System
Aim is to make a spiritual difference in the lives of boys and girls.
Affiliations
President of Congress, Original General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana
Member of Baptist Ministers Conference of Gary & Vicinity
Devotional Leader at the L. K. Williams Institute in Dallas, Texas
Member of the National Baptist Convention, USA
Rev. Jasper Williams Workshops
Awards and Commendations
Tolle-Mann Community Service Award; Outstanding Pastor and Church of The Year, Midwestern Baptist Laymen Fellowship; Community Service Award, City of Gary; Distinguished Service Award
Honorary Attorney General for the State of Indiana
Awarded Pastor of the year by GMOR Theological Seminary
Appointed Chaplain for the Steelhead Basketball Team
A great supporter of the Railcats
Certified by the Publishing Board in Nashville, Tennessee
Family
Married to Leatra Holmes
The father of six children, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren
Motto is: “If you look for good in all people, you will find what you are looking for.”
Benjamin Holmes
Holmes, Pastor Benjamin On December 21, 1930, Pastor Benjamin Holmes was born in Leslie, Georgia to Lynwood Holmes and Victoria Smith Holmes, Sr. Leaving a lasting legacy, he made his Heaven-bound transition on Monday, November 22, 2010. In addition to his parents, five brothers and a granddaughter preceded him in death. He was a respectable, gentle boy and the ninth of ten children. At an early age, Pastor Holmes accepted Christ as his personal savior and never let go. He was a faithful member of Shady Grove MBC in Leslie, Georgia and of Pilgrim MBC in Gary. In 1953, Pastor Holmes married the love of his life, Leatra Purnell Holmes. To this union, they were blessed with six beautiful children: Yvonne (Rev. Willie) Nichols, Evelyn, Ben Jr., Jeanette (Council) Jones, Antoinette (*Thomas) Gaines, and Melissa. Pastor Holmes was the organizer and pastor of the New Friendship MBC for 53 years! He was employed at the Combustion Engineer Corp., US Steel Mill, the Gary Community School Corporation, and the chaplain for the Gary Steelheads. Pastor Holmes graduated from A.S Stanley High School in Americus, GA. He then attended Fort Valley State College. He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Theological Institute in Houston, Texas; an associate Degree from Calumet CoIlege and a BA in Religious Studies and Pastoral Psychology. Pastor has mentored and ordained numerous licensed ministers. Multitudes looked to him for direction, encouragemet and mentorship. Pastor Holmes has been awarded innumerable awards for commendations: Tolle-Mann Community Service Award; 2009 Outstanding Pastor of the Year, Midwestern Baptist Laymen Fellowship, Honorary Attorney General for the State of Indiana, Awarded Pastor Of the year by GMOR Theological Seminary, officially certified by the Sunday School Publishing Board in Nashville, TN., distinguished Leader Awards from God’s First Ministry, and Instructor for District and State Conventions. Cherished forever, Precious memories of Pastor Holmes’ dedicated life will be shared by his loving, devoted, “easy on the eye” wife of 57 years and best friend, Lady Leatra Holmes; six children, seven grandchildren: LaKisha, Terrance (Tamika), Tarriesha (Rev. Royce Sr.), Antoine, James, Anthony, and Damion II, eight great grandchildren, four sisters: Lucille Franklin, Eleanor Mays, Izora Frank, and Gennie Williams, the entire body of the New Friendship MBC Family, and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, fellow yoke men, other relatives and friends. “Well done thy good and faithful servant”, you will be greatly missed!
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