Pastor Chris Hodges is an American pastor and the founder of Church of the Highlands in Alabama. Since its launch in 2001, the church has grown from a small congregation into one of the largest megachurches in the United States.
Hodges built his reputation through church planting, contemporary ministry, leadership development, and community outreach. However, his career has also attracted public scrutiny, particularly over a 2020 social media controversy, pastoral restoration practices, and issues involving the Association of Related Churches (ARC).
In 2025, Hodges stepped down as lead pastor after more than two decades in the position. Mark Pettus succeeded him, while Hodges continued as founding pastor and placed greater focus on Highlands College and leadership development.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Chris W. Hodges
- Born: June 21, 1964
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Wife: Tammy Hornsby Hodges
- Children: Five
- Church Founded: Church of the Highlands
- Founded: 2001
- First Service: February 4, 2001
- Former Role: Lead Pastor
- Current Role: Founding Pastor and Chancellor of Highlands College
- Successor: Mark Pettus
- Other Organization: Association of Related Churches (ARC)
Early Life and Ministry Career
Chris Hodges was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1964. He grew up in a Southern Baptist family and became involved in Christian ministry at an early age.
His ministry development was influenced by Bethany World Prayer Center in Louisiana, where he was exposed to small-group ministry, leadership development, and Pentecostal-influenced teaching.
Hodges entered full-time ministry in 1984 as a youth pastor. He later served in pastoral leadership at New Life Church in Colorado Springs before returning to Bethany World Prayer Center.
In 2000, Hodges moved with his family to Birmingham, Alabama, where he began working toward establishing a new church. He also became involved in church planting through the Association of Related Churches, which he co-founded with Rick Bezet.
Founding Church of the Highlands
Church of the Highlands held its first service on February 4, 2001, at Mountain Brook High School in Birmingham.
The congregation grew quickly, eventually requiring larger facilities. In 2005, the church purchased 125 acres in Irondale, Alabama, and its main Grants Mill campus opened in 2007.
Hodges developed the church around contemporary worship, practical teaching, small groups, volunteer involvement, and community outreach.
The organization later adopted a multi-campus model, allowing Church of the Highlands to establish congregations in different communities while maintaining a shared ministry structure.
Growth and Ministry Impact
Under Hodges’ leadership, Church of the Highlands expanded significantly.
The church developed programs focused on community service, prison ministry, outreach, and volunteer work. Its large-scale Serve Day events became one of its better-known community initiatives.
Leadership development also became an important part of Hodges’ ministry. Rather than focusing only on weekly services, the organization invested in training volunteers, ministry workers, pastors, and future leaders.
By 2026, the Encyclopedia of Alabama reported that Church of the Highlands had approximately 60,000 congregants across 26 campuses in Alabama and Georgia.
Highlands College
Hodges also established Highlands College as a ministry-training institution in 2011.
The college was designed to prepare students for ministry and leadership positions. Its programs have expanded into areas including pastoral ministry, worship, student ministry, family ministry, global ministry, media, and leadership.
Highlands College later received accreditation and expanded its educational programs, becoming an important part of Hodges’ broader focus on developing future ministry leaders.
Major Controversies
2020 Social-Media Controversy
Hodges faced major public criticism in 2020 after screenshots circulated showing that he had liked social media posts associated with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Some of the posts were criticized as politically divisive and racially insensitive. The controversy emerged during a period of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.
Hodges apologized publicly and said the activity did not represent his views or his position against racism.
The controversy also affected some of the Church of the Highlands’ community relationships. The Birmingham Board of Education ended its relationship with the church, while the Birmingham Housing Authority also ended partnerships involving the organization.
Pastoral Restoration
Another area of public discussion has been Hodges’ approach to restoring pastors following personal or moral failures.
Church of the Highlands and ARC have supported restoration programs intended to provide counseling, accountability, mentoring, and guidance to ministry leaders.
Supporters view restoration as an important part of helping leaders recover and rebuild their lives. Critics have questioned how organizations should balance restoration with accountability when serious misconduct is involved.
This debate became particularly visible around The Lodge at Grants Mill, a retreat and restoration facility associated with Church of the Highlands.
Celebration Church Lawsuit
Hodges was also named in a 2023 federal lawsuit involving the Association of Related Churches and the founders of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida.
Stovall and Kerri Weems made allegations concerning their removal from church leadership and the role of ARC leaders in the dispute.
Hodges and ARC rejected the allegations and described them as false or misleading.
The legal dispute attracted attention because it raised broader questions about church networks, leadership authority, and organizational relationships. Allegations made in a lawsuit should be distinguished from facts established by a court.
Chris Hodges’ Personal Life
Chris Hodges married Tammy Hornsby in 1986. They have five children and have remained involved in ministry for decades.
His family life has occasionally received public attention because of the family’s connection to Church of the Highlands and its ministry activities.
For a public biography, however, the most significant aspects of Hodges’ personal life are his long-term marriage, family, and involvement in Christian ministry.
Chris Hodges’ Net Worth
Chris Hodges’ exact personal net worth has not been reliably disclosed.
Numerous websites publish estimates, but these figures vary widely and generally do not provide independently verified financial records.
Hodges has earned income through his professional work as a pastor, author, speaker, and leadership educator. However, these activities do not provide enough information to establish a specific personal net-worth figure.
Therefore, online estimates should be treated as speculative rather than confirmed financial information.
Why Did Chris Hodges Step Down?
In February 2025, Hodges announced that he was stepping down as lead pastor of Church of the Highlands after approximately 24 years in the position.
Mark Pettus became the new lead pastor.
Hodges explained that the transition would allow him to focus more heavily on Highlands College and leadership development. He also stated that he was not retiring from ministry.
The change marked an important transition for Church of the Highlands, moving its primary pastoral leadership to a new generation while allowing Hodges to continue contributing to the ministry he founded.
Chris Hodges’ Current Role
Following the leadership transition, Hodges remained connected to Church of the Highlands as its founding pastor.
His primary focus shifted toward Highlands College and developing future ministry leaders.
Mark Pettus now serves as the lead pastor of Church of the Highlands, while Hodges continues his broader work in leadership development and ministry education.
Legacy of Chris Hodges
Chris Hodges’ legacy is primarily connected to the development of Church of the Highlands.
He transformed a small Birmingham congregation into a large multi-campus church with extensive community programs and leadership-training initiatives.
His involvement in ARC and Highlands College also extended his influence beyond the local church.
At the same time, controversies during his career have raised questions about social media conduct, political associations, pastoral restoration, and accountability within large evangelical organizations.
Taken together, these elements provide a more complete picture of Hodges’ public career. His story includes substantial institutional growth and ministry development alongside periods of criticism and public scrutiny.
Conclusion
Pastor Chris Hodges has played a significant role in the growth of Church of the Highlands and the broader American megachurch movement.
From its first service in 2001, Church of the Highlands developed into a large multi-campus organization serving tens of thousands of people. Hodges also expanded his work into church planting, leadership education, and ministry training through ARC and Highlands College.
His career has not been without controversy. The 2020 social media incident, debates about pastoral restoration, and the Celebration Church lawsuit all became significant parts of his public record.
His 2025 transition from lead pastor to a greater focus on leadership development marked a new stage in his career. With Mark Pettus leading the Church of the Highlands, Hodges’ continuing influence is increasingly connected to Highlands College and the leaders he helps train.
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