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"The Biblical Seminary has had a very important role in the formation of my spiritual and my pastoral life, and I pray that it will continue to have that kind of influence in the lives of the next generation of students," Holm said. "It will be a pleasure to work with your good leadership in helping that to happen," he wrote to MBBS President Henry J. Schmidt.
"Jim brings many strengths," Schmidt said. "He has a heart for God, a gift in preaching, 22 years of pastoral experience, a concern for spiritual formation and a commitment to influence the next generation of leaders. As a trusted leader in the MB Church, he carries a burden for renewal and evangelism, and has a strong commitment to Anabaptist/MB theology."
Holm will also continue to teach about one class per year, as he has done for the past two academic years. This semester, he is teaching Advanced Biblical Preaching.
Born in Minnesota, Holm grew up in Montana, where in Wolf Point he and his family first came to know the MB denomination. He graduated from Fresno Pacific College in 1970, and was initially interested in political science as a career. A lunch with J.B. Toews in 1970 first brought to his mind the idea of theological training.
Following his graduation from MBBS, he became pastor of Vinewood Community Church in Lodi, Calif., serving for 13 years. He then accepted the pastorate at Reedley, and has served nine years. He and his wife, Shirley, recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. They have two sons--Mike is a third-year student at California Polytechnic Institute at San Luis Obispo, and Matthew is a first-year student at Kings River Community College in Reedley.
Holm has also served on several conference boards. He was moderator of the US Conference 1988-92 and acting assistant moderator 1992-94. He has also served on the Pacific District Board of Reference and Counsel, the Fresno Pacific University board and the Pacific District Home Missions Board. He was chairman of the US Conference Board of Evangelism and Christian Service 1983-88 and served on the West Coast Board of Mennonite Central Committee 1978-83.
He is joining the MBBS administration following the resignation of John Neufeld, associate director of admissions, who has become associate pastor at McIvor Avenue MB Church in Winnipeg. The student dean position until last year was held by Ron Penner, who has been serving as both student dean and academic dean. Penner in July will become academic dean at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C.
The appointment completes the administrative team at MBBS, which also consists of Henry Schmidt, president; Linda Bowman, executive administrator, and Pierre Gilbert, who becomes academic dean June 1.
MBBS release
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