Jim Holm inaugurated as Seminary president

The Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary ushered in a fresh vision for a new era with the inauguration of Jim Holm as its seventh president on April 25. Holm began his new role in Nov. 2003, after serving five months as interim president.

Jim Holm is prayed for during his inauguration as seventh president of MB Biblical Seminary by (l–r) Jascha Boge, moderator of Canadian MB Conference; Cal Bergen, chair of MBBS Board; Clark Cowden, evangelist presbyter for the Presbytery of San Joaquin; Ryan Wilson, student body president; Chuck Buller, executive director of US MB Conference.

Holm’s vision includes a renewed commitment to equipping and training pastors. “It is for the training of pastors that the Seminary was established nearly 50 years ago, and it remains at the core of our endeavours,” 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.”

Chuck Buller, executive director of the US Mennonite Brethren Conference, gave the inaugural charge. He exhorted the new president, who has exhibited a commitment to the practice of spiritual disciplines, to maintain that emphasis as he leads the Seminary into a new era.

Participants in the celebration 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 a range of ministries.

After graduating from the Seminary in 1975, Holm served for 23 years as pastor of MB churches in Lodi and Reedley, Cal. He joined the Seminary in 1997, serving as professor, student dean and constituency relations director. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in 2003.

—Brad Thiessen