Rev. Candy Holmes

Biographical Sketch

Rev. Candy Holmes brings to MCC rich perspectives and insights stemming from her spiritually diverse and musical life experience. From her Baptist, Pentecostal, and Interfaith background, she has honed gifts of musical direction, administration, preaching, and healing. In addition, Candy has been a leader in weaving music with social justice and ecumenical endeavors in the local community and nationally.

Today, Candy is engaged in multi-faceted ministry. When called upon musically, she guest directs, conducts music clinics, and assists churches to enhance their music ministries. She has guest conducted choirs for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Capital Campaign Dinner with President Bill Clinton, the HRC Millennium March Equality Rocks Concert with George Michaels, Janet Reno at the World Aids Day Memorial (U.S. Justice Department), the Mothers Against Drunk Driving International Conference, National Cathedral Concerts, the MCC World Jubilee, MCC Regional and mini conferences, MCC People of African Descent Conferences, and various MCC churches. She has also worked along side such music notables as Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack, and MCC music evangelists Rev. Delores Berry and Marsha Stevens.

Candy’s other passions include conference planning, healing ministry, and diversity planning all of which she is actively engaged in within and outside MCC. She has been the Chair for the People of African Descent Conference for two successive sessions and has served in varying leadership roles with the Conference for 10 years. Candy has participated in successfully organizing various MCC and ecumenical conferences.

Candy is from Washington, DC and has been in MCC since 1988. While a member of MCC DC, she served as the music director for the MCC DC Gospel Choir. During that time, the choir recorded the highly acclaimed CD “Something Inside So Strong,” which was nominated for a GLAMA award. Under her direction, the choir served as musical evangelists spreading the awe-inspiring news of God’s unconditional love for all at various conferences, and at ecumenical and community events.

Whether you find Candy preaching or leading a healing service, chairing the People of African Descent Conference, participating on the People of African Descent Advisory Council, or leading the General Conference Music Team; you will find her happily working out her mission and motto – “Be the change you want to see.”

Candy is pursuing her Masters of Divinity degree and completing her 30^th year as a civilian employee serving at the Government Accountability Office as an IT Manager. She is a member of Christ the Liberator, MCC and resides in Laurel, Maryland (USA) with her partner, Debra Rose.