The Holmes Family: July/August '07

Though born 2 ½ weeks before his due date, Brian Michael Holmes came into this world as a healthy 7-pound baby at 5:24 p.m. on August 20 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Our third child is carrying the names of both of his grandfathers. The one he's never met was my dad (who died in 1989); his middle name was Michael. Brian is the first name of Sabrina's dad

who was in the delivery room when we named our boy. I was with Sabrina at a regular 2 p.m. appointment as the doctor voiced some concerns and said it would be best to have her surgery that day rather than the 31st. Taken by surprise, Sabrina handled herself greatly through it all, and we thank God that both Mama and Baby are well.

My last Sunday in Nigeria was the first Sunday in July, and it was one that gave our family a great image to remember our ministry while we are gone for almost four months. Our morning attendance was 158, and I had the privilege of baptizing 11 after the service. The a.m. sermon invitation was also very memorable as six men stood for the first time signifying that they believed God was calling them to preach. That gives us 16 men that have surrendered to the call of God in the 14 months since we started Truth Baptist Church.

Several have asked who will be overseeing our ministry while we are in the U.S. The way that seemed best was for us to outline every responsibility of the church and to “plug in” a faithful man for each aspect. Our church

members will hear 19 different preachers during the 17 weeks that we are away. Truth Baptist has 13 men that preach regularly [several pictured], Bro. Gensaw (the other missionary in Abuja) will preach several times along with four of his men, and a local national pastor (Bro. Simon) will minister some. Pastor Simon will also be continuing the progress of our Bible Institute for three months. When I return, if the Lord will, we plan to work together and double the course load of our curriculum.

Please allow me to make a small request as we are in the States. Before we went to Nigeria, a church gave us 60 books of Soul-Stirring Songs & Hymns (the old green ones). Our people really enjoy them, and we need more. If your church or a ministry you know would be willing to donate some to us, it would be a big help.

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. 35 churches have been started by those who have been trained or ordained by their ministry, including one of the most recent, Grace & Glory Baptist Church in Abuja, in which the Holmes family is also involved. 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, an annual youth camp, a full curriculum DVD correspondence college, and the City of Refuge 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

July/August '07

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