David Powell Holden

David Powell Holden, Jr. 86, of Nixa, MO., went to meet his Lord and Savior on June 19, 2014. He was born December 23, 1927 to David and Ann Holden in Chicago, IL. He married his high-school sweetheart, Gwendolyn Joy Huff, on October 23, 1948. David accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at his home on September 14, 1947. In April 1951 he experienced the Lord's Call to go and preach His Word. He was Ordained to the Gospel Ministry on December 9, 1951. He received his Bachelor's Degree from William Jewell College in 1954, Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969, and the Doctor of Ministry from Golden Gate Seminary in 1983. During his ministry he pastored half-time churches in Missouri; started the Spanish Lake Baptist Church as a mission of his home church; pastored in StClair, Missouri, Clinton, Iowa and Richardson, Texas. He was appointed a Home Missionary in May, 1974 by the Home Missionary Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as Director of Missions in Iowa, Washington and Colorado. He retired in 1993. In the last 21 years, he has continued to preach when needed and supplied as Interim Pastor in several churches. He enjoyed playing bridge and dominos, substitute teaching in the Nixa School District and cruising. The last cruise was a month long up the Amazon River in December, 2013. Survivors include: his wife of 65 years, Joy; a daughter, Dorcas Acosta and husband Kirk; 5 sons, David Holden Ill, Clever, Daniel Holden and wife Pamela, of Chesterfield, MO., Dennis Holden and wife Tina, of Inola, OK., Donald Holden and wife Andrea, of Bonaire, GA., Douglas Holden of Pompano Beach, FL.; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren, one brother, Charles Holden of Dallas, TX. Dave was a member of the First Baptist Church of Ozark for 7 years. A Celebration of his life will be held on August 2, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. at the church.