Letters of Support

Letter of Recommendation from Jean Kershaw

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Jean Kershaw, and I had the great privilege of serving as Church Council President, Financial Secretary, and Christ Servant Minister during Rev. Gregory Holston’s tenure as pastor of New Vision United Methodist Church from 2011 to 2017. It is with deep respect and full confidence that I offer this letter of recommendation.

Rev. Holston’s leadership at New Vision brought our congregation into a new season of spiritual vitality, missional focus, and administrative strength. As someone deeply involved in both the financial and spiritual life of the church, I can attest to his integrity, his heart for justice, and his excellence in organizational leadership.

One of the most significant accomplishments during his tenure was the successful merger of three congregations to form New Vision United Methodist Church. This was no small task. It required immense pastoral sensitivity, clear communication, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and visionary leadership. Rev. Holston demonstrated extraordinary skill in building consensus, managing transition with grace, and helping each church community feel respected and embraced in the newly formed congregation.

In his role as pastor, Rev. Holston preached a gospel that was both personal and prophetic. He nurtured our spiritual growth while calling us to be agents of transformation in our community. Under his guidance, we deepened our ministries to the poor, the elderly, and those affected by violence, always rooted in prayer and scripture.

As Financial Secretary, I worked closely with Rev. Holston on the day-to-day oversight of church finances. He was a trustworthy steward of our resources—transparent, disciplined, and always thoughtful about aligning our budget with our mission. He led with clarity and purpose, never losing sight of the spiritual importance of how we handled even the smallest financial decision.

As Church Council President, I witnessed firsthand how Rev. Holston empowered lay leadership and cultivated a culture of shared responsibility. His respect for the gifts of others, his ability to navigate complex situations with grace, and his unwavering commitment to justice made him a truly transformative leader in our congregation and community.I strongly recommend Rev. Holston for any leadership role—whether in ministry, advocacy, or public service. He is a rare and powerful presence: a visionary with both the heart of a pastor and the discipline of a strategist. Your institution would be blessed to have him.

With sincere appreciation, Jean Kershaw

Pastor Cherrill Wilson

To Whom It May Concern,

As Pastor of Devereux Memorial UMC and a retired Director of the Small Business Development Center of Temple University, it is with great confidence and deep respect that I recommend Rev. Gregory Holston to any funder or organization seeking a proven leader of financial integrity, strategic vision, and transformative community impact.

I had the privilege of working closely with Rev. Holston in my capacity as Financial Secretary during his tenure as pastor of New Vision United Methodist Church. In that role, I witnessed firsthand his careful stewardship of church resources, his commitment to transparency, and his ability to align financial decisions with the broader spiritual and justice-centered mission of the church. Stewardship was an integral part of the church and its leadership.

Rev. Holston approached budgeting not as a mere administrative task but as a theological and ethical responsibility. Under his leadership, our financial practices became more mission- driven—centering support for vulnerable community members, launching justice initiatives, and increasing transparency in reporting. Every dollar spent was prayed over, thoughtfully allocated and accounted for.

He never promised more than we could deliver, and yet, he consistently inspired generosity that exceeded expectations. Through his leadership, we saw increased giving, more faithful use of our funds, and expanded partnerships that brought new streams of support into the church and community.

Rev. Holston has earned a reputation for financial honesty, organizational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to equity. I can attest, without hesitation, that any organization orfunder investing in his leadership will see their resources used wisely, ethically, and with maximum impact.

Sincerely,

Cherrill Wilson, Pastor - Devereux Memorial United Methodist Church