Born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, Dr. Ellis R. Hodge has always been committed to achieving excellence. As an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force, he faithfully served for 4 years. Later Dr. Hodge re-enlisted as an Air Force Reservist until retiring in 1994. He was also employed by GTE (Verizon) for more than 25 years.

As time progressed, Dr. Hodge continued his quest for excellence by attending the U.S. Air Force Community College, Beacon Theological Seminary, and Bethune-Cookman University. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Christian Faith College, Master of Arts in Theology from Life Christian University, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from St. Thomas University. In 2017, Dr. Hodge received a doctorial degree from Life Christian University.

After serving for some time in Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, St. Petersburg, FL, Dr. Hodge was called and licensed to preach in 1990. In 1998, with the blessing of his pastor, God called Dr. Hodge to start Word of Life Fellowship Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Since his call to ministry, Dr. Hodge has traveled to southeast Africa ministering God’s Word and power. He has also spearheaded several projects, including the Call the Man Home Ministry (2005-2012), E.R.H. Bible Crusade Ministries, Inc., and the formulation of Life Christian University (Pinellas Campus). In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for Lighthouse of Pinellas and Becoming God’s Man. He also volunteers with Somebody Cares Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg Citizens Review Committee, and the Naomi and Titus 2 Covenant Alliance.

To date, Dr. Hodge ministers to numerous people locally and abroad. Dr. Hodge’s goal is to empower believers by teaching them the WORD OF GOD in a format they can understand and apply to their everyday lives. As mandated by God, he is committed to literally transforming the community one person at a time.

He is married to the lovely, Teralyn “Terry” Hodge, and they have one son, Andrew, a devoted niece, T’nora Dessaw, and one granddaughter, Paxton Hodge.