Born March 23, 1963, James Otis Holley Jr. is the youngest of five children born to Annie Lucille and James O. Holley Sr. A native of Quincy, Florida, his younger years were spent with his family in the military, where he lived in Missouri, Virginia, and Japan.

Elder Holley graduated from Florida A & M University High School in June 1981 and enlisted in the military (Army), shortly thereafter (1982). During his military career, he served tours of duty in Schweinfurt and Baumholder, Germany; Fort Lewis, Washington; and, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He was Honorably Discharged in September 1992 after serving valiantly in Iraq (Desert Storm).

Returning to Florida, Elder Holley worked for the State of Florida from 1992- 2000 and from 2022 – Employed now with the Agency of Health Care Administration.). Elder Holley served as a Postal Carrier for the United States Postal Service from 2000-2021. As a member of Celebrate New Life Tabernacle (November 1998–June 2010), under the leadership of the Senior Pastor Dr. Joseph W. Henderson. Elder Holley served as the Director of Multi-Media Ministry. He was also involved in the Outreach Ministry, appointed to the position of Evangelistic Minister with the Federal and State Non-Secure Program and the Leon County Juvenile Detention Center.

Elder Holley served as the Assistant Pastor at Innovation Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida from May 2010–May 2012 under the leadership of Pastor Jack P. Leland. Duties included, authored and implemented Christian Education curriculum for the church. Elder Holley was tasked to oversee the internal and external activities of all ministries as well to implement direction and suggestion for the ministries. Elder Holley assisted the Senior Pastor (teaching) in statewide conferences.

Elder Holley was called to utilize his spiritual gift of preaching and teaching the word of God at New Bethlehem Baptist Church (June 2012-October 2015 and October 2016– June 2018), as the Assistant Pastor, under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Johnson. He also served as the youth director for the church. Elder Holley also served as the Pastor of Mount Horeb Primitive Baptist Church (November 2015 - October 2016).

He is the founder, chairperson and author of Sohlmeditations International Weekly Ministries. A weekly journal meditations ministry designed for the men and women of God to help equip you in your divine purpose here on earth. Designed in August 2007, this ministry started with fifty viewers and now it is viewed by e mail, social media and hand letters by more than three thousand people all over the world.

Elder Holley received his education in Theology from the Center for Biblical Studies Theological Seminary, 2007–2014 and Smith Bible Chapel University, 2015–2017. Elder Holley holds an Associate’s Degree (emphasis in Theology) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Leadership & Counseling. He is known for his dedication and commitment and has been the recipient of numerous leadership and team awards from religious, state and federal agencies.