Former SCBC president Sonny Holmes to retire from pastorate Oct. 31

Sonny Holmes, 64, pastor of Northwood Baptist Church in North Charleston since 2003, has announced that he will retire from active pastoral ministry on Oct. 31. Holmes served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in 2011. He previously pastored Hampton Heights Baptist Church in Greenville (1986-2001) and First Baptist Church in Goose Creek (1982-1986). From 2001-2003, he served as director of pastoral ministries for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Originally from Greenville, Holmes graduated from The Citadel and worked in commercial banking and hospital financial administration before answering a call to ministry and earning master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In retirement, he plans to teach, work with declining churches, do interim and supply preaching, and coach pastors in leadership development. He and his wife, Harriett, will remain in North Charleston.