Founding Pastor Chris
Hodges to focus on leadership development, Highlands
College
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 2, 2025
/PRNewswire/ -- Church of the Highlands is moving into a
season of leadership transition with Mark
Pettus as lead pastor and with Chris
Hodges as founding pastor intensifying his focus on
developing the next generation of church leaders.
Hodges announced during Sunday services that Pettus will step
into the new role to help accelerate Highlands' mission, which is
to lead people to know God, find freedom, discover their purpose
and make a difference in the world around them. Pettus has served
as president of Highlands College since its creation in 2011,
leading it to become an accredited four-year institution offering
seven bachelor's degrees for students pursuing full-time
ministry.
As founding pastor, Hodges will work across multiple platforms
to raise up leaders in the church and secular worlds, continue to
guide Highlands College as its ambassador and chancellor, deliver
messages during some Sunday services, and provide guidance to
Pettus.
"Mark is my spiritual son and a product of Highlands," said
Hodges. "I'm excited about where we're going. I'm not retiring or
burned out because I have more energy and vision than I've ever
had. The transition of roles we're announcing allows me to work
even harder to grow Highlands College and empower others for
ministry."
Pettus and his wife Jill joined Highlands more than 20 years ago
after meeting Hodges at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event,
and they soon started working as volunteers with students at the
church. Hodges asked Mark Pettus to
join the Highlands staff in 2006 as youth pastor. In 2009, Pettus
started the MOTION Conference, now one of the nation's largest
Christian gatherings for high school and college students, where
they are equipped to live out their faith.
"Highlands is our home, and the core of our passion is the work
of God taking place here," Pettus said. "It's so humbling to follow
in the footsteps of my mentor and my pastor. Pastor Chris instilled
values and a vision into Highlands, and I can't wait to see how his
impact will multiply as he pours into more and more leaders at
Highlands and around the world. Because God is always good, we know
the best is yet come."
Pettus encouraged everyone who doesn't have a church home to get
involved at Highlands through Sunday services, small groups,
service opportunities and activities for children and students.
About Church of the Highlands:
Church of the Highlands is a Birmingham-based, life-giving local church
with 26 campuses across Alabama
and Georgia that's all about
helping you find freedom, foster faith, serve the community and
form friendships. More information is available on the
Highlands website.
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SOURCE Church of the Highlands
