Guest preacher, Kristen Barnes Holiday, Ph.D., M.Div (August 30, 2026)
With a fiercely ambitious and humble spirit, Dr. Kristen Barnes-Holiday has carved out a lane for herself fueled by faith, determination, and the gift of discernment. She has embraced her God given gifts in a number of ways; she is an administrator, educator, writer, preacher and an all-around creative. Dr. Barnes-Holiday has sharpened her natural born leadership skills through prestigious opportunities and experiences that include becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated (Eta Iota Omega Chapter), an Aspen Institute Fellow and inductions into Phi Delta Kappa International Fraternity and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. She is a former board member of the Detroit Economic Club Young Leaders.
Dr. Barnes-Holiday earned her Ph.D. in Educational Studies (Urban Education) from Eastern Michigan University. She is also an alumna of Duke Divinity School at Duke University where she earned a Master of Divinity degree. Dr. Barnes-Holiday is a full-time English professor at Wayne County Community College District, and a columnist with the Michigan Chronicle in which she shares perspective on faith, spirituality and religion.
However, she is most proud of her roles as wife to Scott Holiday and mother to Rhys, Rhea and her furry son, Butler Sebastian.
