Jim Holm Inaugurated as Seminary President
On April 25, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary ushered in a fresh vision for a new era with the inauguration of Jim Holm as its seventh President. Holm began his new role in November 2003, after serving for five months as interim president.
Jim’s vision includes a renewed commitment to equipping and training pastors. “It is for the training of pastors that the seminary was established nearly fifty years ago, and it remains at the core of our endeavors,” he says. “Over the years we have broadened our mission to include training for church planters, urban workers, Bible and theology teachers, trained lay people, and marriage and family counselors. I anticipate that these ministries will also be strengthened.”
The inauguration celebration in Fresno, California included both the Sunday ceremony, held at First Presbyterian Church, and a dessert reception the night before at Bethany Church. Participants represented local churches and ministries, the Fresno community, and several church denominations. This diversity reflects the seminary’s role in training students from many denominational backgrounds for service in a range of ministry settings.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chuck Buller, Executive Director of the United States Mennonite Brethren Conference, gave the charge to the President. He exhorted Jim, who has exhibited a commitment to incorporating Spiritual Disciplines into his life for many years, to maintain that emphasis as he leads the Seminary into a new era.
The Saturday dessert reception featured a program in which Jim was celebrated for his various roles including father, friend, seminary colleague, and pastor.
After graduating from the Seminary in 1975, Jim served for twenty-three years as pastor of Mennonite Brethren churches in Lodi and Reedley, CA. He joined the Seminary in 1997 and served in a variety of roles including professor, student dean and constituency relations director. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in 2003.
“If anyone had told me, even a year ago, that I would have the opportunity to serve as president of the Biblical Seminary, I would have had trouble believing them,” says Jim. “I am honored to stand on the shoulders of those who have preceded me, and I am privileged to build on their legacy in this new era.”
Jim’s predecessor, Henry Schmidt, completed ten years as Seminary president in 2003 and was honored with the title of President Emeritus during the Seminary’s graduation ceremonies held May 2, 2004.
Posted: May 10, 2004