About the Book
Go, going and gone. This is the battle cry of every born again believer in Christ Jesus as they answer the call to missions. James Hudson Taylor famously said, "The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed." The heartbeat of God is missions. The discovery of diversity is found in missions. The appreciation of all is found in missions. The love for the lost is found in missions. Scripture declares that eyes have not seen, nor has entered into the hearts of men the wonderful things that God has in store for those who love him. I've discovered a whole new world, a world that exists beyond my limited knowledge. Through missions I have found the meaning and the beauty of difference. Sometimes it takes sadness to know happiness, noise to appreciate silence and absence to value presence. While in the midst of pain and struggle, my purpose was birthed. The illusive "why am I here" question was answered! I was shown the heart of God. The just truly shall live by faith. I experienced life on different dimension - through the eyes of God! Release yourself from the cage of day-to-day routines that makes us avoid risk at all cost. God is calling you higher to see the great wonders of His creation. He is calling us deeper into fuller knowledge and understanding of Him!
About the Author :
A Christian Counselor and Biblical studies expert with over 20 years of experience in worldwide ministry, Pastor Marcus Dewayne Holman Sr. possess the knowledge, ambition and inestimable skill to help get you to the next level. With successful tenures as a counselor at the prestigious International Institute for Christian Counseling, Business Banker at a top Financial Firm and accomplished Author Marcus D. Holman has proven developmental his leadership skills that are constantly establishing him as the preeminent international missions expert. Pastor Holman is a sought-after entrepreneurial leader in counseling and Christian education. With an unrivaled and highly effective ability to organize and build leading initiatives and develop new and dynamic community services in both domestic and international contexts in multiple fields, Pastor Holman has been able to continually push his work past the expectations of even the hottest and most crowded areas of expertise. If education, counseling and international outreach are to have a central impact, Pastor Holman is uniquely qualified to lead the next new wave of educated, skilled and knowledgeable Christian ministers. Now, with a track record of unparalleled achievement at each waypoint in his career, and a deep knowledge and understanding of both the education and counseling fields, Pastor Holman has brought together a wide-ranging body of knowledge and a peerless work ethic to establish a standard by which all other ministry may be measured. "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I receive from the Lord Jesus testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 Born on January 28, 1959, Walter August Jr. was raised in Abbeville, Louisiana where he was later baptized at Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church by Pastor Isaiah Matthew in 1972. Three years later, he joined Pleasant Green Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Isaiah Joiner. In 1977, after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served through 1983. A year after serving, he joined First City Bank Corporate Security Group, attended the Professional Management Training School and then went on to obtain a Security Specialist position in 1991. In 1992, he professed his calling to the ministry of the Gospel under Dr. E.L. Lott, Senior Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. He was also hired by LaSalle Partners Asset Management Company, where he served as Director of Security. In 1994, Pastor August organized and founded Bethel's Family Baptist Church, with his wife, three sons, and six committed adults. Today, the church presently ministers to over 13,000 people. Having served 71/2 years at Sugar Creek Baptist Church as their missions pastor, Pastor August was led to launch seven churches and over 58 ministries through Bethel's Family. In 2002, he founded Bethel's Heavenly Hands, a food distribution pantry which has served over 500,000 pounds of food in the last year and has fed more than 50,000 people in the Houston area. In 2005, after attending Southwestern Theological Seminary in Houston, Pastor August received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian College. In 2006, Bethel's Place, Inc. was born. This community empowerment organization supports job training, job placement, GED prep and testing, after school programs, vocational training and more. In 2011, God made a way for Pastor August to move this organization into a new 56,000 square foot, two-story building, allowing more social service programs to impact the Greater Houston metropolitan area. In 2012, the partner entity, Bethel's Blessed Again Resale Shop was established, providing low-cost clothing options for those in need. While his hands were certainly full, Pastor August still made global missions a priority. He has traveled to Kenya, Africa, the Czech Republic and beyond, doing evangelism training, medical clinics, and developing church leadership teams. Pastor August is also a published author. Embracing Bootstrap Leadership, an in-depth guide on Christ-centered leadership, was released in 2014. Pastor August is a former board member of the Baptist Church Loan Corporation of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and in 2016, he was inaugurated as President of the African American Pastor's Fellowship of Houston, an organization uniting African American pastoral leadership. Yet and still, Pastor August is a family man. He cherishes his wife, Ruby, of over 30 years and their three sons-Walter (III) and his wife Shawn, Patrick and his wife Katie, and Alex-along with their grandchildren: Brycen, Brinan, Breanna, Karson, and their newest grandchild expected to make his arrival very soon!
Review :
Dr. Lucindra Campbell-Law (Professor and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner) "This was my second trip to Jacmel with Bethel's Global Reach under the leadership of Pastor Marcus Holman. This trip has truly been a life-changing and humbling experience for me. It reminded me of my purpose which is to let God use me as an "instrument of healing" whether it be here in the States or in a country like Haiti. One amazing thing was to see that in the midst of the devastation the Haitian people have endured, they still appeared to be a people full of hope. Despite some language and cultural barriers, we had a cohesive team and we worked well together." It is such a blessing to have this collaborative relationship with Bethel's Global Reach. Pastor Holman and his team are truly anointed! The University of St. Thomas Peavy School of Nursing faculty and students were exposed to strong positive leadership from the missionary team leaders. The students were impressed with the heated prayer sessions that they experienced that day'.
Comments from Dr. Richard Klein:
Marcus Holman is one of the finest Christian leaders I have ever spent time with. His passion for the word and love for people is contagious. Pastor Holman is an excellent student of God's word, qualified to counseland exceptionally trained and experienced in domestic and foreignmissions. Pastor Holman's strengthis drawn from his deep faith and his cherished family. May God continue to bless my dear brother, his family and ministry as they follow God's cloudy pillar.
-Comments from Claire Cara (University of St. Thomas Nursing Student):
"I was struck by seeing how few material possessions the Haitians had, yet they all seemed content and happy. We spent three days at the Angel Wings Clinic treating the local people for ailments that are simple to treat in America, but are a luxury to have treated in Haiti. I learned that we must be grateful for everything, from the complex to the simple blessings of every day such as clean, warm running water, electricity, the smile of a stranger, and the hugs from our loved ones. I will never forget the positive impact that everyone who went on this medical mission trip has had on me. The teamwork of everyone on this trip and all of the patients was key to the success of this mission in Haiti. I will be able to reflect on this experience to remind me of why I love nursing which is to love, serve, and care in a holistic manner for those who have been entrusted to my care. This medical mission trip truly was a blessing and I am so grateful to Dr. Campbell-Law and Dr. Chambers for networking with BGR in order to make this a possibility for us.
Comments from University of St. Thomas
