A great hero of the faith in the Church of God (Holiness) goes home . . .

Who was Mr. Church of God (Holiness)? In my opinion that title should be given to Dr. I. C. Holland. He served the Lord in the Church of God (Holiness) from an early age and he served well. Even while attending the University of Missouri as a young man he was active in the ministry. The desire to preach the Word and pastor the people of God continued to be a love and a burden to him. And yet this ministry was not exclusive. He became very active at Kansas City College and Bible School. He served as Professor, Academic Dean, Vice President, President and finally as Board Member. He was interested in the mission of the church abroad. He served on the World Mission Board for many years and traveled to represent the work on numerous foreign fields. This barely scratches the surface of his official involvement in the Church of God (Holiness). In addition, the people saw his interest in their lives as he demonstrated his outstanding memory. Names of people previously met on one occasion accompanied by remembrances of personal interest caused many to stand in awe. As Chairman of the General Convention he served with dignity, wisdom and poise. The list continues seemingly without end regarding one who took Romans 12:1 literally and gave himself to Jesus Christ in unselfish and tireless labor. Mr. Church of God (Holiness) will be missed by all who admired this great example of holiness of heart and life.

To read a biography of Dr. Holland go to http://www.cogh.net/about/holiness-heroes/holland or click on the \”About\” menu item, the \”Holiness Heroes\” submenu and the click on \”I.C. Holland\”.

Obituary

Reverend Isham C. Holland, 95, of Fulton passed away at his home on July 3, 2013. He was born at the family home on Coats\’ Prairie near Reform on December 9, 1917, the son of the late Walker Kerr Holland and the late Alta (Coats) Holland. On June 2, 1940, Reverend Holland was united in marriage to Adelia Carol (Yocum) Holland, who preceded him in death on November 7, 2004. Reverend Holland will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by two sons, James Nathan Holland and wife, Peggie, of Fulton, and Philip Dale Holland of Eureka Springs; one brother, Hallie “Tite” Holland and wife, Lena, of Fulton; four grandchildren, Kurt Holland, Kent Holland, Scott Holland, and Terri Holland; 10 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren; and one sister in law, Jewell (Garrett) Holland. In addition to his parents and his wife, Reverend Holland was preceded in death by four brothers, W.K., Clyde, Charley, and Fay; and three sisters, Vara Althiser, May Krebs, and Martha Laubscher. Reverend Holland attended nearby Ashland Grade School and graduated from Fulton High School with the class of 1935. In 1941, he graduated from the University of Missouri with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Humanities. His studies included 50 credit hours in Latin and Greek. He also held degrees of Bachelor of Theology and Doctor of Ministries from the Kansas City College and Bible School. Following High School, he earned and received a teaching certificate and thus began his lifelong career. For two terms, he taught all eight grades at the one room R.B. Boone School. Following graduation from the University of Missouri, he again taught school in Callaway County at the Ashland School. In 1943, Reverend Holland moved to the Kansas City College and Bible School Overland Park, KS to begin his career of service spanning over fifty years. During this time he held positions of instructor, Dean of Administration, Vice President, and President. He possessed the position of President Emeritus at the time of his passing. Up until Sunday, June 16, 2013 he was teaching a class each Sunday in Fulton. Service to the Church has been the life work of Reverend Holland. He has served as evangelist for churches and at camp meetings and conventions across the country and abroad. He has served as a member of most of the general boards of the Church of God (Holiness). He has been a member of three of these boards for fifty years each. His service on the Foreign Mission Board spans more than fifty years and included mission trips to Mexico, Haiti, Liberia, Nigeria, Cayman Islands, and both the British and American Virgin Islands and nine mission trips to Bolivia. His most recent duty abroad was as the keynote speaker of the International Missionary Symposium at Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands in the fall of 2002. Reverend Holland has written extensively for the church publication, The Church Herald and Banner and developed and written commentary and lesson text for The Way, Truth, and Life Sunday School publication. He enjoyed a productive life, a productive garden and four generation hunting trips for deer and turkey. Getting away to Minnesota or Canada for summer fishing trips provided a much enjoyed and well deserved break. Funeral services will be 10:00am on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Church of God (Holiness) in Fulton with Pastor Mark Avery, Pastor Travis Sayler, Pastor William Hayton, and Pastor Jack Smith officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton. Entombment will be held at Callaway Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to Church of God (Holiness) World Missions c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd., Fulton, MO 65251. Online condolences may be shared on this website.

Visitation

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, July 8, 2013 at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton.

Services

Funeral services will be 10:00am on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Church of God (Holiness) in Fulton with Pastor Mark Avery, Pastor Travis Sayler, Pastor William Hayton, and Pastor Jack Smith officiating.

Interment

Entombment will be held at Callaway Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.