Birth and Background

Out of Africa

Born in Kenya, East Africa, in the 1960s, I made my first appearance on a farm overlooking the Great Rift Valley. A sibling to my two elder sisters, somewhat of a late arrival, I soon made myself at home among the dogs, cats, sheep and other livestock. My father, who worked for the Soil Conservation Service (a division of the Kenya Government supportive of agricultural initiative) worked about ten miles away in the town of Thomson’s Falls. My mother, a full-time farmer, kept the show on the road when she was not in labor giving birth to my sisters and me.

Later, my family moved to some different locations in Kenya, including sweltering Mombasa, a coastal town, and then beautiful Nakuru, a town at an elevation of 6,000′, not far from the equator. Well do I remember the impressive pinks of the flamingos and other birds on Lake Nakuru and other volcanic lakes in the region.

The 1970s took me further afield, traveling down Africa and living briefly in what was then Rhodesia–pre-independent Zimbabwe–, Iraq in the Middle East, Botswana and then Swaziland (both in southern Africa) before making a more permanent move to South Africa, then under Apartheid government.

The Old, Old Story

In my late teens, for the first time I heard the account of the Old Old story–compellingly–that God now commands all men everywhere to repent. He has appointed a Day when He will judge the world in righteousness through the Man–Christ Jesus–He has appointed. By His grace, I trusted him and became a new creature.

After completing my high schooling, I attended college and university, graduating in 1985 as a teacher. I taught English as a second language as well as Biblical Studies to students not far from the city of Pietermaritzburg. In those happy days, I also married my wife, Sue, herself also a school teacher.

Life with its vicissitudes took us on from there to the city of Johannesburg where we were involved in teaching and then Christian literature distribution.

England and America

Family circumstances were a strong consideration for relocation to the United Kingdom–the home of some of my ancestors–in 1999. I served an evangelical publisher based in Darlington for a couple of years, before being asked to head up a charity’s literature ministry in 2001, and then becoming involved in the ministry of a different publisher. I served the latter for over ten years, and, in the process, began intensive travels to the United States.

When that publisher began considering commencing a US branch, in the spirit of Isaiah, I said, “Here am I; send me.” Thus just before Thanksgiving in 2010, I, my wife and our seven-year-old son found ourselves on an Airbus 35,000′ over the Atlantic heading in a westerly direction. Final touchdown? Greenville, South Carolina, the buckle of the Bible belt.

Worldview

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

So wrote the psalmist a good many years ago (Psalm 36:9). His point is a powerful one: only as we view the world through the spectacles of God’s revelation–the 66 books of the Bible, being the Older and Newer Testaments–do we see things as they really are. Here we view matters such as:

- Detail from the New England Primer
  
  SPECIAL CREATION: God’s speaking the worlds into being by His powerful word in just six days
- HISTORIC FALL: The space-time fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, from a relationship of uprightness before God to a state of separation and fallenness, disconnectedness from Him, and their subsequent generational line likewise separated from their Creator. Thus the words of Isaiah the prophet: Behold your sins have separated you from your God.

- DIRECT AND PERSONAL PROVIDENCE: Nevertheless, God remains in control of all things. Our first parents may have been ousted from paradise, but our God has never been ousted from Heaven. He is sovereign over all, doing all His holy will. Psalm 115 makes this clear. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory… our God is in the heavens, and he does whatever he pleases.”

- INTENTIONAL REDEMPTION: Thus the words of the hymn, ‘Hail sovereign love that first began / the scheme to rescue fallen man / Hail matchless free, eternal grace / That found my soul a hiding place.” Later the hymnwriter could say of Christ, the Savior, “On Him almighty vengeance fell / thus must have borne a world to hell! / He bore it for a chosen race / And thus became their hiding place.”

- SECOND COMING / FINAL STATE: There are just two states after this life–Heaven and Hell. Leading up to that must be our own demise–we grow old and fail, or are taken in the prime of life or before old age–or as the old benediction said of Jesus, “Until You come for us or until You call us…”

All of life belongs to God. Abraham Kuyper once wrote: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.
2
Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e’en the praising heart,
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part:
3
Praise in the common things of life,
Its goings out and in;
Praise in each duty and each deed,
However small and mean.
4
Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be and weak.
5
So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free,
But all my life, in every step,
Be fellowship with Thee.

Horatius Bonar

Notes:

(1) Detail from the New England Primer: “A is for Adam, and in Adam’s Fall, we sinned all.” Would that our children today were as well-schooled as those of the Puritan settlers in New England!

(2) Abraham Kuyper was a Dutch politician, journalist, statesman and theologian.

(3) Horatius Bonar: Scottish pastor and hymn-writer par excellence. Sing to music by Thomas Haweis

At Work

Publishing: It is in the Blood!

I am a publisher. It is in my blood. I am not a printer; that would be old fashioned and, no, I would not like printers’ ink flowing through my veins. I am happier pulsating with electrons, alive with bits and bytes.

I like to help get resources out of people. It is, as it were, a birthing process I am involved in. You have a creative idea; I help you to generate it, formulate it, and get it into print, whether as a physical book, electronic book, or online posting. Recently I encouraged a friend in England to become “a blogging bloke.” The processes are all related.

Your Book; Your Blog!

Do you feel as if there is a book inside you, and you need help in getting it birthed? Contact me, and let’s discuss it! If you would like to see some of the kinds of things I do, you should also visit some of my other sites, such as Great Writing, and Publisher Presentations.

To see how I work with publishers and authors in promoting their ministries, you could also take a look at Lifeline Mini-books, Glenda Hotton, It’s Apparent, and Janet E Green. There are more projects like these in the works!

To sum up…

I describe myself in my work as the following:

I am an editor and publishing consultant;

I am a networking marketer;

I am a promoter and seller of good books.

Scroll to the very end of this page to view a synopsis of my services, or view here.

Words of Appreciation from Some People Sue and I Have Served

“What more could an author want?”

I have known Jim and Sue for a number of years and heartily recommend them. They are both professional and highly skilled. They recently edited a book that I wrote and did a fantastic job. I had previously given the manuscript to several people to seek ways of improving it, including someone with a Masters Degree in writing. While comments and suggestions received from these people were extremely beneficial, when Jim and Sue were given the final manuscript to edit and proof-read, they were able to find many areas to further improve, and mistakes that others had missed. This resulted in a much better book, with this improvement achieved without sacrificing content or author style. What more could an author want?

David Clark, Author, “You, Your Family and the Internet”, Former Executive Director of EP Books, President of DaCar Inc. (USA), Managing Director of Advanced Technology Consulting Ltd (UK), Former Board Member of Evangelical Times, Editorial Team Member, Christian Hymns.

“They have inspired me!”

Jim and Sue are among the most personable and proficient people I have had the pleasure of working with. They have inspired me, as an author, and have guided and skilfully helped to shape my work. I do not think I would have been able to write so many books without their invaluable help!

Simon J Robinson, Senior Pastor, Walton Evangelical Church, England, Author of several books

“Highly recommended!”

I would like to highly recommend using Great Writing and Jim Holmes for any and all of your writing and publishing needs! I could have never gotten to being a published author without Jim’s expertise and patience. He guided me through so many areas of uncertainty, and carefully helped me achieve what I wanted in this authorship stage.

John Lehman, Author, “It’s Apparent … You’re a Parent”

“Courtesy and Attention to Detail”

I have been most impressed with Jim Holmes’ efficiency and service in supporting the compiling, making and distribution of good Christian literature. What particularly impresses me with Jim is his courtesy and attention to detail. There is a determination to do a good service and a deep desire to see biblical and worthwhile God-honouring materials supplied to churches and Christian groups. I can wholeheartedly recommend Jim and his Christian service to all.

Professor Andy McIntosh, Creation Apologist and Writer

“Character and skill”

Two things stand out concerning Jim and Sue’s editorial work: character and skill. The combination ensures the writer’s integrity and the reader’s enjoyment. I recommend them highly.

Dr. Reggie Weems, Senior Pastor, Heritage Baptist Church, Johnson City, TN, Author of several books

“You will not be disappointed!”

Having worked with Jim and Sue Holmes for several years in the publishing of Christian literature, I can only give them the highest possible commendation. They offer the unusual blend of expertise with Christian kindness and grace. Clients who choose this service will not be disappointed.

Roger Ellsworth, Pastor, Author of over forty books

“Integrity and Efficiency”

Two words come immediately to mind when I think of Jim and Sue Holmes—integrity and efficiency. When you add gracious courtesy to those you have a combination that encourages you to work with them, as I have in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their experience and expertise will be of great benefit to authors who choose to partner with them and I commend them warmly to any who consider doing so.

Dr. John Blanchard, Evangelist, Author and Christian Apologist

“A sharp theological mind”

Jim Holmes knows books and the publishing world and has tremendous gifts that he graciously uses to the benefit of many writers and publishers. He has a keen eye to recognize solid, biblical content. He has a sharp theological mind that aids the writer’s efforts to communicate theological convictions in a clear manner. He is a very precise editor, improving what is there and catching and correcting small inconsistencies, thus enhancing the work. In a variety of ways, he is an asset to a publisher as well as to a writer looking to sharpen his or her project. I highly commend the gifts, work, and character of this faithful, Christian man.

Brian Croft, Author (of “Visit the Sick” and other books), Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church, Founder of Practical Shepherding

Summary of Services Offered

Editorial, Production, Promotional, and Related Services

Primary websites: Great Writing | Publisher Presentations

Editorial services, including
• Copyediting
• Proofreading
• Developmental Editing and Ghostwriting
• Blogging: Structure, Strategy and Topic Management

Production and Promotional services, including
• WordPress Website development
• Personal Online Marketing
• Publications Project Management
• Guidance in Self-Publishing

Examples of some websites presently being developed
• www.lifelineminibooks.com
• www.glendahotton.org
• www.itsapparent.org
• www.timothyjcross.org

Experience at a glance
• Former Director of Publications and Marketing
• Extensive editing and marketing skills
• Proficient in both UK and USA editing conventions
• Client portfolio in North America, UK, Europe

Client Praise
• Happy client reviews available here

Service charges
• Competitive rates
• Charges either per hour or per project; budget always agreed up front
• Payment either in US dollars or UK sterling by direct bank transfer

Contact
• Click here to contact me
• I look forward to discussing your project with you!