The Holmes Family: February '05

March 1, 2005

A major reason for still taking a survey trip this late in our deputation last month was to find out firsthand what we needed to ship to the country ourselves. We were very pleasantly surprised that practically everything we could need or want is available there; however, not everything is affordable or even reasonable. With the help and recommendation of our Africa Field Director at FBMI, Dr. Mark Sigstad [pictured below], we have decided to rent a twenty-foot container to pack as many things as possible for Nigeria. There is a two-fold purpose: to avoid wasting the many things that have already been given to us, and to evade having to buy items that are overly expensive in Nigeria—specifically any appliances, office supplies, and baby products.

Since the beginning of our full-time deputation on May 20th of 2003, Sabrina and I have had a goal to be on our mission field in less than two years. We currently have over ¾ of our needed support coming in; a few more churches have voted us into their missions program, and several churches are strongly considering our ministry. We believe the time has come for us to prepare for our first term. For Sabrina, Joseph, and me to be able to leave in May, three major things need to happen: plane tickets must be purchased, our resident visas need to be approved, and the container has to be rented and packed.

Throughout the whole process of raising financial support, we purposely have asked for nothing but prayer in our ministry updates. Sabrina and I have been blessed by living on the love offerings from churches, and we’ve refused to request anything financial by way of prayer letters. Ultimately, the provision of God and the generosity of churches have allowed us to leave our monthly support practically untouched except in three instances: paying tithes and giving to missions, purchasing prayer cards and stationery, and financing a portion of our survey trip. The money we’ve

saved can be used immediately to secure a home in Nigeria [our current 3 BR / 2 bath house pictured], which requires a payment of two years’ rent up front. Also, the amount of money we have remaining will determine the quality of a car for our family [our current vehicle pictured] and a van for the church. Therefore, we are making this request to the churches wh

ere we’ve presented our ministry: please pray for our move to Nigeria and consider helping us offset the cost. We greatly appreciate your attention to the Lord’s work in Nigeria.

Who We Are

Mark Joseph Holmes was called to the ministry at the age of fifteen, five years after he was saved. He went to Hyles-Anderson College to receive his training and graduated summa cum laude in 2000 with a degree in Pastoral Theology. During Mark’s senior year, God placed on his heart the desire to reach the people of Nigeria, so he spent an extra year in preparation by taking missions courses. Mark served on the same bus route each college year, as captain for three years.

Sabrina Michelle (Hopkins) was saved at the age of eight and surrendered her life to God five years later. While at Hyles-Anderson College studying music education, she served in the Bible Club and deaf ministry and also traveled one summer with a tour group. After graduation with a Music Education degree, during the year before their wedding, Sabrina taught fourth grade at her home church’s Christian school—Central Baptist in Baton Rouge.

As newlyweds, Mark and Sabrina served at their sending church where Mark oversaw the bus ministry and helped in the youth department, Sunday schools, and junior churches. He was privileged to start a children's church and young adult class during his two years of service, and he also regularly preached at a prison ministry and taught for a local Bible institute. Sabrina taught private piano for two Christian schools; she played often in the church services and also taught the beginner Sunday school class. Mark and Sabrina started full-time deputation at the end of May, 2003. Mark Joseph, Junior was born on December 4th of the same year.

In June of 2005, the Holmes family began their first term as Fundamental Baptist Missions International missionaries in Nigeria. Soon, Truth Baptist Church along with Temple Baptist Institute was started, the church now averaging 220 on Sundays with 42 graduates from the ministry training school. Property with buildings was purchased, and Providence Baptist College & Seminary opened its doors in August 2009 and has now produced 30 graduates. Over 30 churches have been started by those who have been trained or ordained by their ministry, including the most recent, Grace & Glory Baptist Church in Abuja. Mark and Sabrina have returned to the U.S. for the birth of:

Victoria Noel 12/14/05

Brian Michael 8/20/07

Noah Preston 2/3/12

LaDonna Elizabeth 7/3/14

For nearly a decade, Truth Baptist Church has been the home of a national pastors' conference and annual youth camp; a full curriculum DVD correspondence college recently became their newest ministry.

Where We Are

The Niger River is Nigeria’s most remarkable physical feature, as well as the source of its name. Formerly a British colony, Nigeria gained its independence in 1960 and became an independent nation of three culturally distinctive regions and at least 250 different language groups—more than any other African country. Home of the world’s largest black population, it is estimated that almost one out of every six Africans resides in Nigeria.

Upon independence, Nigeria inherited a currency that was more valuable than the U.S. dollar at the time. Yet the country has consumed itself with the sell of oil and other natural resources and all but abandoned its agricultural sector, leading to Nigeria’s diminished currency value and heightened reliance upon imports and aide from other countries. Military coups, ethnic tensions, a thirty month “civil war” that claimed over a million lives, and economic corruption have been the driving forces behind Nigeria’s instability of the last forty years. In 1998 a democracy was established, ending fifteen years of military rule.

Baptists have enjoyed a presence in the country for over 150 years with the Southern Baptists growing their own national convention and an estimated Baptist population numbering more than 3.5 million people; the former President of Nigeria was a claimed Baptist. However, Muslim influences are growing greater, indigenous beliefs are still popular, and many existing Baptist churches have abandoned biblical doctrines. There is a great need to reach the rest of the more than 170 million people of Africa’s most populous and possibly most influential nation.

The Holmes Family

February '05

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