05/27/2026
From Bible college student at Moody to widow and mother at 25, Holly Snell’s story is one of deep loss, unwavering faith, and restoration. 💔 🕊️
Holly came to Moody Bible Institute in 1993 with dreams of music ministry and quickly fell in love with fellow student Scott Nesbitt. After marrying in 1996, the couple moved to Vermont to help launch a Christian adventure camp for inner-city teens.
But in 2000, tragedy struck when Scott and Holly’s brother-in-law, James, were killed in a canoeing accident while scouting river locations for the camp. Holly was just 25 years old and had a young daughter.
“My whole world was upside down,” Holly shared. “I was a widow at 25.”
In the middle of grief, Holly says God met her in a deeply personal way:
🗣️: “It was as if He was right next to me… ‘Help! I need help now!’” 🫂
Through worship and songwriting with her sister, healing slowly began. Eventually, Holly met musician Aaron Snell, and the two later married and entered ministry together. 💌
Today, Holly serves as executive director of Hope Women’s Center in McKinney, Texas, helping women facing crisis pregnancies, trauma, abortion recovery, and difficult life circumstances. 🙏
Under her leadership, the ministry has expanded counseling services, adoption support, maternity housing, and care for women in need.
Her message to others walking through pain:
🗣️: “God does His deepest work in the dark… When I couldn’t hold on to Him, He held on to me.” 🤍
