Rev. Dr. H. Leigh Holder-Bobo was raised in a pastor’s family, surrounded by a faith-filled family and many loving congregations, and served in two called positions, and one designated pastorate. She went to college to pursue a music education degree. While working for the area church as a youth leader, she heard God’s call to ministry within the Church. After graduating from Cornell College of Mt. Vernon, Iowa in 1991, she traveled south to Louisville to follow God’s direction.
Throughout the practical education experiences allowed by Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, she gained approval that strengthened her will and affirmed God’s call. As a student pastor in five different churches, as well as a unit of C.P.E. and a year working in a state-run facility for the severely and profoundly mentally and physically disabled persons, she found that God’s willingness to share God’s grace and mercy with all people is pervasive.
In her first ordained call, she served a two-point charge in upstate New York, where she continued to find strength through sharing God’s love. After marrying Jerry Bobo, they moved to southern New Jersey to accept the position of Designated Pastor in Greenwich. Jerry and Leigh have two children – Erin and Ward. According to Leigh, the children have made being a pastor even more meaningful. Leigh adds, “To share God’s love with loved friends is a wondrous gift, to bring God’s love to a child is more than anyone can ask.”
Throughout her journey with God and the church, she has continued to look for educational opportunities which will enhance her ministry. Leigh has completed the first session of interim training, and taken many short classes on evangelism and strengthening the small church. She has served on many committees at the Presbytery level, including Small Church life, Nominating, Committee on Ministry, and Presbyterian Women. She finished her Doctor of Ministry degree, at Union-PSCE in Richmond, Virginia in 2008. She studied how to base transformation in Presbyterian Churches on known historical theologians practices. Leigh enjoys working for the church in the community in which she lives, and at the more inclusive levels of church life.
