The Holmes Family: March/April '06

May 15, 2006

Yesterday, the Truth Baptist Church at Nyanya-Abuja, Nigeria conducted its Grand Opening Service. Without electricity, restrooms, P.A. system, or even windows and doors, the attendance was 95, and there were 34 decisions for salvation! Special thanks goes to Pastor Simon Nyam (he's the founder of another independent Baptist church in town) for conducting our children’s church [pictured right], and to Pastor Ron Gensaw for sending all of

his soul-winners to our area during a Saturday before the church opened. In the evening, 67 souls gathered, and over 20 were saved! We greatly appreciate your prayers concerning the repairs on our rented church property; the roof was completed two days before our first service, and much work will be continuing throughout this month.

Since

our last letter, we’ve moved into a rented house in Gwarinpa-Abuja. Though we are still earnestly awaiting the arrival of our container, Sabrina and I are very grateful to have our own house for the first time in almost three years. Also, Joseph loves all the space God has given us where he can run and play.

Just last month, one of Bro. Gensaw’s church members named Emmanuel (who had received Christ while I was out soul-winning during my first trip to Nigeria) brought Abraham, a customer of his, to church. Emmanuel informed me that his friend was Muslim and would have some questions for me after the service. We prayed together that God would work on Abraham’s heart during his visit to Pilgrim’s Independent Baptist Church. Immediately following the message that Sunday morning, I went to this follower of Allah and began discussing with him about the Lord. Emmanuel’s friend began to tell me that he had been searching for the truth for some time and had actually visited several different churches. He’d already decided that he would “give his life to Jesus” if a church could ever be convincing with the message of Christ. Abraham then exclaimed, “This is the first church I’ve ever been to that didn’t preach about money; I’ve heard the truth. I’m convinced; I’m ready to trust Christ!” He simply had one doctrinal question that I was able to answer from the scriptures; then we bowed our heads together, and he prayed to receive Christ as his Saviour! Just like Emmanuel, Abraham has been faithful to the church services since his conversion.

What a unique experience it’s been to have Sabrina’s dad [pictured with Victoria at 6 months] visit three different times since we have returned to Africa. If you remember from a previous update, my father-in-law was able to get a contract to work in Nigeria with his employer,

Exxon-Mobil. Last month, I was able to travel with Sabrina and the kids to visit him at the area where he’s been working since January. Of course, “Papa” has been excited about being able to see his grandkids during this time, but I believe the pinnacle of his trip was what occurred yesterday as he witnessed our church conducting its first service. You see, for years Bro. Brian has prayed that each of his four children would become missionaries; Sabrina is the oldest and the first one to go to a foreign field. So, not only has God specifically answered his prayer request, but He has also worked it out for Bro. Brian to see his daughter’s place of service while his company is paying him to do it! We serve a great God! Please pray for his continued safety as his work for this project continues through July.

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

March/April '06

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