Who is Pastor Chris Hodges? Net Worth, Age, Scandal Details & More

Suppose you are from the state of Alabama. In that case, you probably have heard about Pastor Chris Hodges social media scandal, which has gained significant attention within both the religious and secular circles.

Being a prominent figure in the Christian community, Hodges founded the Church of the Highlands. It is one of the biggest churches in the United States, with 25 branches nationwide.

Hodges faces criticism for engaging with social media posts by Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization known for its controversial political views on college and high school campuses. If you want to learn more about Pastor Chris Hodges and the controversies surrounding him, you should read this article.

Who is Pastor Chris Hodges?

Before we move on to Pastor Chris Hodges’s scandal, let us know about the person himself.

Born on 21st June 1964, Chris W. Hodges is the founder and senior pastor of the Church of the Highlands. He began his journey as a youth pastor at Bethany World Prayer Center near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1984.

Two years after entering the ministry, he married Tammy Hornsby in 1986, and they moved to Colorado Springs. This is where Hodges worked as a youth pastor and senior associate pastor at New Life Church.

In 1994, he returned to Bethany World Prayer Center as an associate pastor and hosted a daily TV program called “Lifeline.”

In 2000, Hodges moved to Birmingham to establish a new church. This led to the foundation of the Association of Related Churches, a non-profit that focused on church development. Soon after, Hodges started recruiting leaders for the Church of the Highlands. 

In 2001, the Church held its first service at Mountain Brook High School’s auditorium. The Church increased in the next few years, owning a new campus in 2007. By 2020, the Church had grown to 20 satellite campuses strong.

In 2019, Hodges and Paul de Jong were chosen by Hillsong Worship’s global board in Sydney, Australia, to look into claims of inappropriate behavior by Brian Houston, Hillsong’s founder. They received $10,000 each from the ministry, listed as “Senior Pastor Donation Expenses.” Hodges also spoke at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney in July. After Houston stepped down from Hillsong in 2022, these payments were brought up in the Australian Parliament.

Hodges’ ties to the Evangelicals for Trump Coalition and his interactions with right-wing figure Charlie Kirk on social media sparked concerns about his attitudes toward African Americans, especially during the George Floyd protests in 2020. On 2nd June, Hodges apologized for any harm his actions may have caused.

As far as Pastor Chris Hodges’s family is concerned, he shares five children with his wife: Joseph, Sarah, David, Michael, and Jonathan.

Also see: How To Discontinue / Cancel Cox Internet Service Easily?

Pastor Chris Hodges’s Net Worth

As of 2024, Pastor Chris Hodges’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, as claimed by TikTok users.

As the founding member and senior pastor of Church of the Highlands, Pastor Chris Hodges has built quite a considerable fortune for himself. The Church of the Highlands is a thriving megachurch based in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Even though specific details about Pastor Chris Hodges’ net worth are not publicly disclosed, he is widely regarded as a successful leader in the Christian community. He is known for his impactful teachings and leadership. 

Beyond his pastoral duties, Hodges has authored several books and is actively involved in various charitable causes. Some of the most popular Pastor Chris Hodges books include Pray First: Audio Bible Studies: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer, Out of the Cave: Stepping into the Light When Depression Darkens What You See, and The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise.

As a senior pastor at the Church, Hodges focuses on spreading the message of faith and hope, which has garnered him a considerable following. Despite all the name and fame, the specific details of his wealth remain primarily private, as is typical for many religious leaders.

Pastor Chris Hodges Scandal

The Church of the Highlands founder, Pastor Chris Hodges, is facing criticism for his social media activities. Hodges was found to engage with posts by Charlie Kirk, the head of Turning Point USA, a group known for its controversial political views.

A Birmingham’s Carver High School teacher, Jasmine Faith Clisby, raised concerns about Hodges’ social media interactions. Clisby, who has degrees from the University of Alabama, pointed out that Hodges has repeatedly liked posts by Kirk. Clisby clarified that she doesn’t attend the Church of the Highlands.

She expressed concern about how her words might be perceived, emphasizing that she wasn’t passing judgment on him. Instead, she was troubled by his preference for someone who shares content she finds culturally insensitive. She highlighted her objection to Hodges following Kirk on social media, particularly given Kirk’s views on the myth of white privilege.

Clisby admitted to finding something troubling about the situation but acknowledged that she couldn’t make assumptions about Hodges’ intentions.

Kirk had posted a meme comparing images of Donald Trump with Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali, labeling Trump as “racist” in the 1980s. The meme juxtaposed this with a photo of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam from his medical school yearbook, where he was seen in blackface and a KKK costume. The caption for Northam’s photo sarcastically labeled him as a “Progressive Leftist” from the 1980s.

Clisby also shared screenshots revealing that Hodges had liked several controversial posts on social media. One screenshot depicted Hodges liking a post featuring a comparison between Barack Obama playing golf and a quote from Michelle Obama advocating for staying home during the pandemic. Another screenshot showed Hodges liking a photo of Kirk donating blood with a caption referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, Hodges said that any supremacy other than Christ, including white supremacy, is rooted in evil. He also acknowledged that recent discussions, fueled by social media posts, had led some to question his stance. He admitted to the controversy but clarified that such views don’t align with his beliefs.

Also see: Church of The Highlands Exposed (Full Story)

Analyzing Pastor Chris Hodges

To truly understand the controversy, it’s crucial to delve into Pastor Chris Hodges himself, exploring his past contributions, accomplishments, and the underlying factors that might have led to his current situation.

Before the scandal, Hodges was renowned as an influential figure credited with the remarkable growth of the Church of the Highlands. His achievements are significant and contribute to his overall legacy.

However, there are underlying factors that could have contributed to the scandal. From organizational dynamics to personal challenges, various elements may have influenced the events leading to the accusations against him.

To fix the situation, effective crisis management strategies are crucial to minimize harm and rebuild trust in both the Church of the Highlands and pastor Chris Hodges.

However, addressing a crisis of this magnitude takes work. It requires a careful balance of genuine remorse, transparency, and accountability. Implementing crisis management procedures can help control the damage and set the stage for restoring trust within the community.

While the scandal has undoubtedly impacted Hodges and the Church, valuable lessons can be learned from this ordeal.

Also see: Who Is Andrew Santino Wife? Name, Age & Complete Details

Final Words

Pastor Chris Hodges actions have not only brought shame to himself but also to the Church. Now that the damage is done, it’s time to address the situation by implementing the proper measures. Everyone involved in this mess should learn from their mistakes and rebuild trust through honesty and accountability.

Also see: Myinstants – Meme SoundBoard & Sound Buttons

FAQs

---

For more such interesting content, keep reading Myinstants Blog.