John Abraham Hodges

Raised in a loving home, I had the privilege of witnessing my parents' leadership. While Christ wasn't always at the center of our lives, He became the focal point before I graduated high school. Attending church regularly and participating in VBS were constants in my childhood. Through the preaching of Brother Bill Renick, I first heard the gospel, responded to Christ in faith, and was baptized at nine years old. It was in high school that my faith truly began to mature as I engaged with the Bible and sought guidance from my youth minister, Chip Stevens, and family friend, Lance McDowell. Their encouragement and challenges propelled me to walk faithfully in my relationship with Jesus. As my senior year ended, I felt called to ministry, leading me to surrender to this path before starting at Mississippi College.

• Lifelong Mission Leader - Opportunity to preach the Gospel in 7+ countries.
• Sunday School Teacher, Eastside Baptist Church, 2006-2007 - Taught a 4th and 5th-grade boys
• Small Group Leader, Eastside Baptist Church, Spring 2007 - Facilitated a college student small group discussion on the Pursuit of God.
• Summer Missionary Philippines Backpack Team, Summer 2002 - Traveled to different villages delivering Bibles and sharing the Gospel through testimony

Lindsay Paige Hodges: Nurse at Vancleave Schools

Children: John Hayden (12), Ethan (11) and Graham (8)

• Lemoyne Boulevard Baptist Church, Biloxi, MS, Pastor, 2014, Present, Revitalize a congregation of 125 regular attenders, following a pastor who started the church nearly 50 years ago.
• Mississippi Army National Guard, 890th BN, Gulfport, MS, Chaplin, Jan 2022, Present, Provide religious support to 300 Soldiers through counseling, mentoring, and discipleship
• First Baptist Church, Rayville, LA, Youth/Children and Family Pastor, 2011, 2014, Organized Disciple Now, Camps and Mission trips, Led Wednesday night Bible study, Launched and organized Upward Basketball, Established and managed new children's ministry programs, Assisted in the implementation of new Sunday school classes as we grew from 250-340 in attendance
• Eastside Christian School, Marietta, GA, 7th - 8th Grade Bible Teacher and Coach, August 2006, 2007
• Mississippi College, Clinton, MS, Baptist Student Union Associate Director, August 2005, August 2006, Supervised and instructed leadership committees, Planned, organized, and led small groups, mission trips, and outreach events
• Lake Forest Ranch, Macon, MS, Counselor, Assistant Program Director, and Mission Camp Macon Coordinator, Facilitated small group Bible Studies, Assisted the director in areas of worship, camp rules, and support staff, Provided spiritual leadership and guidance to all staff, summers of 2004, 2005, and 2008
• Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA, Recreation Assistant and Intern, February 2003, May 2004, Planned and organized recreation for Children's Camp, Led Bible Studies for Children's Camp, Organized, facilitated, and coached numerous Upward sports and witnessed tremendous growth
• First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS, College Intern, August 1999, April 2000, Assisted in planning worship for 100-150 college students