Pastor Emeritus – Kemp C. Holden, Jr.
Kemp Holden began his ministry preaching on the streets of San Antonio, Texas while a sophomore in high school. He later attended International Bible College where he met his wife Carol. They were married in 1964 and formed a powerful ministry team preaching the gospel not only in the United States but soon their passion for missions would take them to the island of Jamaica where they founded and built a church and a school on the north coast. Soon after returning to the U.S., traveling as an evangelist, they felt God calling them to Fort Smith, Arkansas where they built Harvest Time Tabernacle. They watched that small beginning of 27 people grow to one of the largest churches in the region with not only a local focus but a global impact touching over fifty nations of the world. After 38 years as senior pastor, having mentored his successor, Pastor Marty Sloan, he led the transition and passed the baton to the new senior pastor. Pastor Holden now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Harvest Time where he and his family attend.
Kemp also serves on the Greater Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Board of Directors for the Community Rescue Mission, and is the Executive Director of Union Christian Academy, a fully accredited K-3 through 12th grade, Christian school. He was recently elected as Chairman of Worldwide Missionary Evangelism, Inc. a fellowship of over 400 pastors, ministers, and missionaries. Pastor Holden will quickly tell you, “I have three passions in my life, the local church, foreign missions and Christian education.
Pastor Holden’s anointed ability to effectively communicate Bible truths, his deep sense of humor, and the practical application of Bible truths make him a much sought after speaker both here in the U.S. and abroad. He was on local television and radio in the Fort Smith Area for over 38 years.
Kemp is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and hunt. He and his wife, Carol reside in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They have two daughters, Annette, her husband Chuck Boorman, and Kim, her husband, Dr. Patrick McClain and four grandchildren, Courtney, Holden, Faith and Evan.
