Celebrating Lois Hoyle: Missionary of the Year

Article by: Holmes Bible College

Lois Hanson Hoyle arrived on the campus of Holmes Bible College in October of 1960 from St. Augustine, FL, following in the footsteps of her father, Howard Hanson, who also attended Holmes and served as a pastor in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Lois graduated in 1963 and began a career of service to God through the IPHC in a variety of capacities, including teaching long-term in the Bible school in Mexico, serving in the denominational headquarters in both Franklin Springs, GA, and Oklahoma City, OK, and leading missions trips. While leading a missions team on a trip to Mexico, she met her husband, Hugh Hoyle. Together, they have served as pastors in local churches, leaders in the Cornerstone Conference, and missionaries all over the world.

Hugh and Lois served as full-time missionaries in Latin America with their base in Ecuador. They were able to minister in numerous countries in Latin America with their ability to speak Spanish. From Latin America, doors of ministry opened around the world, and they were appointed as special assignment missionaries in order to fulfill the call of God to teach internationally. As special assignment missionaries, they have taught and ministered in over two dozen nations.

In 2008, they began traveling regularly to teach at Hyderabad Bible College in South India and East Africa Bible College in Western Kenya. In these schools, they found not only a need for teaching but also a need for resources. Lois felt a calling to enhance the libraries so that the students would have access to valuable books for study and ministry preparation. While Hugh taught in the classroom, Lois worked in the libraries. Together, they collected thousands of books and transported them to India, Kenya, and other nations to donate to schools and colleges. 

Lois set up the Hyderabad Bible College Library and created a digital catalog for library

management.  The academic dean of the school commented, "We have been longing for this library for years." Bishop Moses Kumar stated: "Thanks to the commitment and passion of Sister Lois Hoyle our library is in the right hands. Now, we have a very well-organized and computerized library in the city of Hyderabad. It will help bring us accreditation for our graduate program and will bless many generations to come."

President Kevin Sneed comments that "Lois Hoyle was a great blessing to our campus and students at East Africa Bible College. She often taught our Pentateuch course and always left behind excellent notes for the students. She and Hugh would come heavy laden with books for our library. Their contributions nearly doubled our library stock and those books are still being used today to help train ministers for East Africa."

Bishop Talmadge Gardner wrote, "Thank you for selecting Lois Hoyle as the Holmes Bible College Missionary of the Year. Lois is so deserving. She has always served behind the scenes, but has made significant contributions to the missionary work and ministry that she and Hugh were called to. I was in Hyderabad, South India, this past January for their annual conference session and had the privilege of visiting their library. Lois was responsible for cataloging over 10,000 volumes, which assisted the Bible School obtaining their accreditation. Thanks for honoring this lady of great grace and faith."

Steve Cofer writes, "Lois is one to always help and go beyond the limits to create and make things happen. In doing so, she looks for no recognition or to be rewarded. She truly is a faithful servant."

Lois continued her education after Holmes. She attended Southern Nazarene University and Carolina Graduate School of Divinity, where she earned a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies. Lois shares her knowledge with students all over the world as she continues to serve in World Missions Ministries.

Hugh and Lois have two children, Ben and Julie.

Lois is a great example of how Holmes Bible College graduates have impacted the world. Her cross-cultural service and teaching helped numerous students prepare for ministry. Her work in international college libraries will remain as a legacy as countless more find the resources she provided. She has truly lived for others. We are glad to recognize and honor her as the holmes Bible College missionary of year for 2026.