Dr. T. La Mont Holder
Dr. T. La Mont Holder serves as senior pastor of the Historical (1878) Calvary Baptist Church where he has served faithfully for the past 20 years.
Dr. Holder is married to the former Cherrie Denise Jones. They are the blessed and proud parents of three daughters.
In 1996, Dr. Holder was licensed as a minister and in 1999 ordained to preach the gospel. Dr. Holder was ordained at the First Baptist Church, in Quincy, Illinois under the leadership of his father-in-law, Dr. O.B. Jones, Jr. While at his home church, Dr. Holder served as youth pastor and assistant pastor.
Dr. Holder graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2008, from Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry-Organizational Leadership. After an intense and accelerated curriculum, Dr. Holder graduated in 2009, from Dallas Baptist University, in Dallas, TX, with a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education-Business Ministry. In 2014, Dr. Holder received an earned Doctorate of Theology degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia.
Dr. Holder has been pastoring for 27 years and has served three congregation during that time. In 2000, he was called to pastor the Bethesda Baptist Church in Galesburg, Illinois, in June of 2001, he was called to pastor the historic Mt. Emory Baptist Church, in Jacksonville, Illinois and in January of 2005, he was called to pastor the Historic Calvary Baptist Church, where he currently serves.
During his 20 years of pastoring the Calvary church he has led them through a million dollar building renovation and rebuild project. This project included a new sanctuary, office and restroom additions, and a new parking lot.
During this time the church has experienced tremendous financial, numerical and spiritual growth. Dr. Holder has been blessed to serve four generations of Calvary families and continues to see new members joining the church. Dr. Holder has baptized over 150 new members during his pastorate at Calvary. Dr. Holder has implemented outreach ministries that assist the unhoused in the community, by feeding, and clothing them. In addition, Dr. Holder has partnered with local schools to provide support to the most disadvantaged kids in the community who need support.
Currently, Dr. Holder serves as a board member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., the largest African American religious organization in the world, serving 33,000 congregations. Dr. Holder is the Western Region Vice President of the National Baptist Convention.
In 2016, Dr. Holder was elected the 12th and youngest (41) President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas where he serves over 120 congregations across the state. In 2021, Dr. Holder was afforded a second five year term by affirmation of the joint denominational body as he ran unopposed.
Dr. Holder is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Eta Beta Lambda Chapter in Wichita. Dr. Holder has served as the chapters 1st Vice President and Chaplin and currently works with the scholarship committee ensuring that high school seniors receive financial assistance to further their academic dreams.
Dr. Holder is the Chairman of the Civil and Civic Commission for the Greater Wichita Ministerial League. Dr. Holder has served in many past positions of leadership such as NAACP President of the Jacksonville, Illinois, branch, Kansas State NAACP Religious Affairs, chairman, President of the Congress of Christian Education of South Western District Association, Congress President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas, Ministers Council Vice President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas. Dr. Holder has been an advisor for several local organizations and groups designed empower people.
In 1996, Dr. Holder was one of many picked by his hometown mayor the Honorable Charles Shultz, to begin discussions and plans to bring as swim complex to the Northwest side of town where 85% of blacks and disadvantaged people lived. The Jackson-Lincoln swim complex opened in 1997 and is still a major attraction in his hometown.
Dr. Holder has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership, advocacy and community involvement.
Dr. Holder continues to be a champion for the cause of Christ and an advocate for social Justice, and community empowerment at home and abroad.
Dr. Holder’s life mission and model for ministry is “Compelled by the Cross.”