District Elder Holmes was born on December 19, 1922. He started his Christian journey in 1961 at the Refuge Church of Christ in Scotch Plains, New Jersey under the leadership of the late Honorary Apostle Robert Sabie Grayer. District Elder Holmes would often tell the story of how he came to Christ. He said that saw something different at that little church on the corner of Jerusalem Road in Scotch Plains. He was baptized in that matchless name Lord Jesus Christ and tarried until he received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as the spirit of God gave him utterance.

District Elder Holmes was very active in Scotch Plains church. He was a man of great faith and a prayer warrior. He was the leader of the prayer band for over 20 years. He would go out often to pray for the sick and serve communion to the saints that were sick and shut in. District Elder Holmes had many stories of deliverance and miraculous healing, starting within his own family. District Elder Holmes established Cornerstone Refuge Church of Christ in the basement of his home located in Roselle, New Jersey. The Lord led District Elder Holmes to relocate his family and the Cornerstone family to Manassas, Virginia to continue the work that God called him to do.

District Elder Holmes was a son of COOLJC and a true Lawsonite. He continued to hold onto the standard that was given to him so many years ago and he passed that same teaching to all that knew him. He would often end his sermons with his favorite saying, “Better today. More tomorrow. Seek to excel.” He was a dogmatic man of God and preached the unadulterated true word of God until the Lord called him from earth to glory on August 28, 2014.

District Elder Holmes was a testimony of what God can do. We salute you, District Elder Holmes, for your many years of service in the kingdom of God!

Mother Ethel Holmes was reborn in 1961 at the Refuge Church of Christ in Scotch Plains, New Jersey under the leadership of the late Apostle Robert Sabie Grayer. She was baptized in that matchless name Lord Jesus Christ and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the spirit of God gives utterance. From that day forward, she began walking in the newness of life. While at Refuge, she held the office of Usher Board President for many years and she became a licensed Senior Missionary under the leadership of Mother Annie Grayer the State Missionary president. She was a Woman’s Council member, a prayer warrior, and a faithful and obedient member for many years.

When Elder Floyd Holmes founded Cornerstone Refuge Church of Christ, Mother Ethel Holmes was right by his side. Mother Holmes was a non-tiring mother in Zion who trained and led by example. Her dedication, kindness, and thoughtfulness resulted in her being loved by all, especially children. She was the Senior Missionary President and treasurer of the Cornerstone Refuge Church. Mother Holmes relocated to Manassas, VA with her husband and the Cornerstone Church family. Cornerstone Refuge Church joined the Mid-Atlantic Diocese under the leadership of Bishop Clarence Groover, Sr. Mother Holmes was appointed the Second Vice President to the Missionary Department of the Mid-Atlantic Diocese. She was also the President of the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Wives’ Guild from 1999 to 2007. She was inducted into the International Missionary Department A.G.E.S. Hall of Fame in 2004 for faithful and dedicated service to the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ over the past forty-six years.

On October 14, 2007, the Lord called Mother Ethel Lena Holmes from labor to reward. She taught us to love one another and most of all to love and honor God. She taught us to be responsible. She taught us to have holy boldness. She taught us how to laugh. She taught us how to cry. She taught us to be strong and endure hardness as a good soldier. She taught us that one day we would all have to appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for all the deeds that are done in our body. She led by example.