Lessons For Healing in Grief

Dr Gayla Holley

Biography

Gayla was born in Benton, Illinois to Sam and Joyce Latta in 1958. Adventure came early as a tornado ripped through the small town. Only 3 days old, while held in her father’s arms, their home was destroyed with them inside. Miraculously the family of four survived the tornado. 

At age 7 Gayla moved with her parents and three brothers to Liberia, West Africa, 65 miles from the nearest motor road in a mud house located central to a jungle village called Fassama. Along with three brothers, Gayla attended school taught by her mother. The experience of this early adventure provided her with an early education in humanitarian mission work, which impacted her for life.

Upon return to the United States, Gayla met and married Evangelist Gregory Holley on December 27, 1975. As itinerant ministers and teachers, the couple traveled throughout the world as Ambassadors of New Life Foundation. Together they brought supplies and hope to many nations teaching, educating, feeding, bringing medicine and clothing to those less fortunate. Over the years 33 nations were impacted. 

Gayla birthed their daughter, Angela, in Harare, Zimbabwe, having survived the civil war of Rhodesia. After the war they returned to the USA to build a pipeline of supply for the impoverished. She also home schooled their daughter for 10 years.

Supporting orphanages for hurting children, and homes for those who are in poverty, her compassion for the young, encircles the world. Dr Gayla founded the organization MOMS AGAINST HUNGER , which feeds hundreds of thousands of children and their mothers around the world annually. MAH assists others in setting food pantries to provide for local communities, as well as offers aid in disasters for earthquake victims, hurricanes, floods, fires and tornados in the USA. 

Millions of packages of formulated rice meals have been distributed in many nations to provide essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and vital nourishment to the starving through her efforts. Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Mexico, Romania, Belize, Malawi, Haiti, Guatemala, Fiji, Honduras, Zambia, India and Mauritius are just a few of the list of nations that have received aid in food and supplies to the impoverished. Website: www.momsagainsthunger.org   

Facebook/ Moms Against Hunger 

Youtube/ Moms Against Hunger

Dr Gayla founded ROLE MODELS of AMERICA as an encouragement to women who succeed to model and lead the next generation. It was designed to allow women to use their abilities and talents to fulfill the desire to help others. She has hosted many educational events helping women to achieve personal life skills and leadership. She has managed various Role Models of America Thrift Stores which served the working poor with free vouchers for needs. www.rolemodelsofamerica.org. Today RMA serves many charities, providing them with ongoing supplies through corporations to be distributed in thousands of lives.  

She founded the ‘Pass it On Program’ at Illinois State University.

A singer and songwriter for two albums, ‘Sanctuary' and ‘Reflecting Your Glory’. Also produced an album of Hymns with her choir at NLCF during their pastorship of 20 years.  

Dramatist and Playwright of The Big Bang, The Mysterious Woman, The Razor’s Edge, The Bag Lady, Baby Baby, Equipped but Not Prepared. The Experience, African Miracles, I Still Believe, These Truths We Hold, are among various seasonal dramas. 

The following are a partial list of her teaching projects. 

New Horizons for Women

Time Management for Women

The Love Scrapbook

The Successful Working Woman’s Guide

The HomeBuilder Series

The Worship Leaders Manuel 

Pro31

Bloom!

She is the Chancellor of the Community Bible Institute which is an automated online Bible School of the entire New Testament. This is a instructive verse by verse format of study for those in ministry.  

https://community-bible-institute.teachable.com

Dr Gayla is the author of ‘Growing the Leader Within You’ a 264 page book of personal leadership skills through personal dangers and adventures.  

She has served beside her husband of 45 years, who is the late Metropolitan Archbishop and President of Independent Christian Churches International, which provided legal covering for over 4500 men and women in Pastoral Ministry. Today ICCI is a thriving 501(c)3 providing covering for ministries and pastors across America in 48 states.  

https://www.ministrylaunchnow.com

Her personal blog https://gaylasmagazine.typepad.com  is her personal journal written on the different facets of leadership, travel, family, educational values and faith. 

Youtube/ Dr Gayla Holley

Instagram/Gaylajholley  

Pinterest/Gayla Holley

Twitter/ @GaylaHolley

She is currently the Co Founder and President of Grief Guide Ministries, a ministry devoted to the care and healing of those who have lost loved ones in death. www.griefguideministries.com provides many online Healing Lessons written by Dr Gayla.  

Facebook/ The Grief Guide 

Youtube/Grief Guide Ministries 

A speaker, teacher, songwriter, author and counselor, Dr Gayla Holley continues to impact lives day by day. Her readership is above 150,000 online.

SPECIAL HONORS, CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS:

• She is one of the Thousand Points of Light in America. In 1991, Dr Gayla along with her husband, was awarded #389 in President George W. Bush’s 1000 Points of Light. 

• Nominated as the “The Woman of Distinction for the Ten Top Women in Houston, Texas in 2005. 

• Awarded Dame of Grace by the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta Ecumenical Order

• Awarded Commemorative Medals in Recognition for her Charities by H.S.H. The Grand Master, Count Joseph Frendo Combo CD, GB, GCSJ(H), MOC, ORCB, D.Hum, PhD Marquis & Count de Torre Sarroca, Grand Bailiff, Grand Cross of Justice, Hereditary Knight, the Knights Hospitallers OSJ

• She received the Service Recognition Award from the Houston Police Department for her work and aid to Haiti in 2010. 

• Certificate of Appreciation - The American Bible Society 

• Certificate of Appreciation - The Boy Scouts of America

• Awarded Republican Life Member in the USA

EDUCATION:

Certificate of Ordination – 1984

Illinois State University -1987 Senior Counselor for Women’s Crisis Centers

Dame of Grace of The Knights of Malta - 1998

Doctor of Divinity Degree - 2009 American Bible College

The Therapon Institute Licensed Pastoral Counselor – 2003

The Therapon Institute Belief Therapist – 2003

Light Learning Institute – Extraordinary Women Course - AACC 2003

American Association of Christian Counselors – Licensed in 2005

Houston Tx Police Department - 55 hr Certificate of Training for Profiling Criminal Behavior

SERVICE:

Served as an Executive Board Member of The Bridge – a Shelter for Battered Women

Facilitator and Teacher of Marriage Classes and GGM Grief classes.  

Served as a Senior Counselor for the Women’s Crisis Centers- Illinois State University

Served as a Board Member of McClain County Human Resource, Illinois

Presently a Staff Pastor at Relate Community Church Spring Tx