Paul Holland

On the morning of December 10th, 2018 at 10:00 AM, after battling a very rare and aggressive brain cancer for almost 7 months, Paul “Psquared” Harold Holland, went home to be with Jesus, the One he loved and faithfully served as a pastor for 25 years. In his passing, he was under the excellent care of Dr. Weiner’s Oncology team at St. Peter’s Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospice Team in Helena, Montana. Debbie, Paul’s wife, sister Jackie and brother-in-love, Stan, were blessed to be with him when he passed. Paul was 56 years old.
Paul was born in San Bernardo, CA on October 5th, 1962 to James and Nancy Holland. He is the youngest of three siblings. When Paul was 10 years old (June 2nd,1972) his family moved to Townsend, Montana. When asked where he was from, Paul always said, “Townsend, Montana.” This was his home!
After graduating high school in Townsend, Paul went on to attend college and subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for 5 years. He later attended Bethel Seminary and graduated with a Master’s Degree in “Transformational Leadership.” After graduating Bethel Seminary, Paul served as a lead pastor at churches in Michigan, Florida and Montana. He also served briefly as an interim pastor in Michigan. Paul spent the majority of the last twenty-five years in the ministry, first as a lay leader, then youth pastor, and eventually a Lead Pastor. His youth kids affectionately nick named him “Psquared.”
At the time of his collapse and cancer diagnosis, Paul was the lead pastor at the same church where he came to know Christ in 1989, First Christian Church of Traverse City. Paul served at this church as a lay leader, youth pastor and interim pastor from 1989 until 2010. Then, after serving a church in Zephyrhills, FL (2 years) and Helena, Montana (3.5 years), God called Paul and wife Debbie back to Traverse City, Michigan where they ministered until he collapsed on May 18th, 2018, only 2 months short of 2 years.
While ministering in Zephyrhills, Florida, Paul met and married the love of his life, Debbie Holland. They became one on December 30th, 2012 in a private ceremony performed by their close friend, Larry Coats, who is now with the Lord. Someone recently said when Debbie came into his life, “She illuminated his world!” Others said, “his smile was different and he looked the happiest they had ever seen him.” Paul and Debbie always said, “God blessed their broken road when he brought them together.”
Son, brother, uncle, husband, dad, Pop (grandfather), pastor, friend, and mentor are but a few of the titles that describe who Paul was. He loved God, his wife, family, the body of Christ, and people. Being a gregarious extrovert, he got geeked by being around people and was passionate about sharing the love and message of Jesus Christ.
Paul was a friend to many and loved staying connected to people from his childhood forward. He had an incredible gift for seeing the good in people and the call God has on their lives. He was a mentor to many over the years, including Josh LaFromboise, Sam Thomas, Kurt Masolo, Ben Sexton and Samuel Javed. I have heard from many of his former youth kids the impact he had on their lives, including: Holly, Hannah, Ryan, Corey, Lori, Jeff, and there has always been a special place in his heart for Leighton, Maysa, Chloe, Colt, Erika, Kylee and Isabelle.
Paul had many he counted as close friends including: Pastor Jeff Goodwin, Dr. Ed and Sandy Scarbrough, Pastor Bob Larimer, Dan Baldwin, Mary and Denny Chappel, Brian and Jen Smith, Matt and Amanda Chappel, Fran Martin, Jim and Joan Degraff, Bill and Shanna Semmens, Ray and Donagene LaFromboise, Josh LaFromboise (who he loved like a son), Tony and Sharon Watson and so many more that it would take a very long excel spread sheet to name all of them.
Paul was an avid cyclist and loved doing triathlons. He was a member of the Snake River Triathlon Club in Idaho and the Run for God group in Helena, Montana, which he and Debbie launched while ministering in Helena. Paul loved hiking with his wife Debbie and working with people who wanted to begin running. Debbie, a runner for over 40 years, loves running but Paul always said, “I run to get across the finish line in a triathlon.” Cycling was his passion and he loved riding with one of his best friends, Ed Scarbrough. He and Debbie led many groups on hiking adventures while living in Helena. Paul’s motto was “No one is ever left behind!”
Paul was passionate about missions and took his youth groups on many missions’ trip. In February, Paul and his wife Debbie went with a team to Everglades City, Florida, to do post hurricane missions work with longtime friend, Skip Brown, founder of Freedom Builders, based out of Traverse City, Michigan.
Paul was preceded in death by his father, James W. Holland in August 2016, and is survived by: wife, Debbie Holland, Mother: Nancy Holland, Brother: Jim Holland (Sarah), Sister: Jackie Fautsch (Stan) Children: Ken, DJ, Michael and Jessie, grandson, Gabe, daughter-in-love, Anja and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Paul and Debbie are also animal lovers and have two energetic and loving Goldendoodles, Kona (4) and Kailua (4 months) who miss their dad already.
There will be two celebrations for Paul:
The first will be a party celebrating Paul and Debbie’s 6th Anniversary and Paul’s life on December 30th, 2018 in Helena, Montana at the Helena Valley Community Center, 3553 Tizer Road from 6:00 to 10:00. Live music, food and drinks will be provided. For more information and to RSVP email: rememberingpaul62@gmail.com
The second, a Celebration of Life for Paul will be held at First Christian Church in Traverse City, Michigan on January 5th, 2019. The service will be at 1:00pm. Food and fellowship to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holland Benevolent Fund held by First Christian Church.
Please make checks payable to First Christian Church and write Holland Benevolent Fund in the memo section.
Address:
First Christian Church
3686 S. Airport Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49684

Cards may be sent to:
Debbie Holland
3731 Juniper Drive
Helena, Montana 59602

A Special Thank You:
Words cannot express my deep appreciation to all who have been a part of helping Paul and I as we have traveled this treacherous road. Many churches have helped including: First Christian Church, Traverse City, Michigan, First Christian Church, Zephyrhills, Florida, Sunday Fellowship, Helena, Montana, First Christian Church, Blaine, Michigan, Trailhead Church, Townsend, Montana, Dr. Weiner and his incredible Oncology Team at St. Peter’s Hospital, the St. Peter’s Hospice Team, Dr. Forester and the Oncology Team in Traverse City, Michigan, the amazing medical Team at University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a multitude of family, especially his beloved sister, Jackie and friends from across the nation. There are simply too many to name. Please know that Paul and I have been deeply humbled and grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support we have received. Words are inadequate to express what this meant to Paul and means to me.
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV), The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
In closing, though Paul’s brain was ravaged with cancer, the cancer did not take his life. His purpose this side of heaven was complete and it was his time to go home to be with Jesus. Satan did not win, God did! When Paul collapsed on May 18th this scripture came immediately to mind, though I had no idea the magnitude of what was to come, John 12:24 (ESV), Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
I believe the ministry Paul had will continue even stronger in his death and for that I am grateful and it was his prayer. Paul and I wanted God to use us for His glory before and after the cancer diagnosis. Paul always had two things he often said, “Today is a good day for a good day” and “Tell your story, which is His story!” To God be the glory, great things he hath done.
His grace is STILL amazing!
Thank You
Debbie Holland
Romans 8:26-28

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