Dr. James E. Holiday is a native of Norway, South Carolina, and grew up in the church he now pastors. Dr. Holiday was ordained at Bushy Pond Baptist Church in October of 1992 and continues to spiritually nurture parishioners and the Norway community at large. Pastor Holiday envisions and works diligently to develop a church that ministers to the whole person and to the community it serves. As with any visionary, Dr. Holiday knows that the work God has for him and the Bushy Pond family has only just begun.

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Dr. Holiday is a graduate of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and Claflin University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. In addition, he earned a Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) and a Master of Religious Education (MRE) from Liberty University. In August of 2025, Dr. Holiday received the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity.

Dr. Holiday is a lifelong member of the NAACP and serves as Chaplain for the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Education & Missionary Convention and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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Dr. Holiday is married to his lovely First Lady, the former Sybrenda James. Together, they are the proud parents of Wilton (Jalia), Brenton (Winter) and Emily. They are the proud grandparents of Cameron, Nylah, and Kaleb.

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Dr. Holiday humbly shares:
“I thank Almighty God for the distinct privilege of pastoring some of the most progressive believers in the Kingdom. Your faith, vision, and dedication continually inspire my leadership.”