Church of the Highlands to Grow Impact with Leadership Transition

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