DETROIT – The nature of being a church pastor dictates that he or she will make a difference in the lives of their congregation. But also they have the responsibility of reaching out and touching the community. They should make a difference. A pastor's job is constantly in motion and never done. The pastor answers to a higher authority and his or her responsibilities are broad and deep. They are to be a good steward of all that is entrusted to them and are on call 24 hours a day. If you think the president of the country has a complex job, try being the pastor of a church.
Rev. Dr. Jim Holley is truly a model of what a pastor can and should be. He has been pastor of the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church on the corner of Woodward and Owens for 43 years.
Now, in his younger days as other youth were excelling in sports, his grandmother told him that he didn't have the athletic abilities that they had, but he had something else special inside of him and the best way to tap into that was to educate himself to the highest and that would give him his acceleration and footprint in life. That is exactly what he has done.
In his many responsibilities, he has carried the title of Dean of Ashland Theological Seminary, Police Commissioner, President of the Council of Baptist Pastors, CEO Cognos (public relations company), Entrepreneur, Real Estate Developer, Landlord, Social Activist, Head Master of an Educational Academy and the list goes on and on.
You have probably eaten his Country Preachers Cookies on an airplane or tasted his hot dog buns at a baseball game. He has developed a commercial strip mall, managed a health clinic and recreation center, not to mention running a coffee shop.
Recently he purchased a building up the street from his church that looks like an historic Greek monument with its gothic columns. He is developing that into an Urban Institute of Performing Arts where he will tap into the creative side of our youth. He also envisions using it as a neighborhood movie theater show that will show African American films.
With historic Little Rock being located in the North End, he believes that if there can be a vibrant downtown and mid town, there can also be a vibrant North End and his church has to be one of the anchors and catalysts. He believes that one of the best ways to improve the quality of life of those around you is to provide employment. Within all of his ventures, there are 225 folks employed. His projection is to have 800 folks working by the end of 2014.
Rev. Holley is more than committed to Detroit and its forward progress. He is not one of those people who says, "somebody should do something about..." He is that somebody. He states his mind and is constantly in motion thinking about who can he help or how can he make a greater impact. Did I mention that he is one on the country's premier preachers and preaches all throughout the land?
The Rev. Dr. Jim Holley is truly a gifted spiritual man who is an Everyday Hero: Making a Difference.
On a daily basis, in spite of one's life struggles and challenges, there are some people who reach out and make a positive impact on the lives of others. That is why Local 4 and a prominent local clergyman, Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. have teamed up to find those people and tell their stories.
Do you know an everyday hero in your life? E-mail us and tell us about them.
About Rev. Lonnie Peek, Jr.
Rev. V. Lonnie Peek, Jr. located in Detroit in 1975. After teaching 2 years in DPS, he went to WSU receiving a Masters of Social Work, an activist on campus he created the Association of Black Students. He is an entrepreneur and serves on such civic boards as New Detroit, Inc, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. With extensive radio background expanding 25 years, he writes a weekly column for the Michigan Chronicle. He has been a regular on local/ national television shows dealing with political and social issues An ordained minister and seminary graduate, he serves on the executive committee and is the public relations chairman for the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity and is Assistant Pastor at Greater Christ Baptist Church.