Ellis R. Hodge, a native of Valdosta, GA, was born to Arthur Lee and Elizabeth Hodge. He accepted Christ as a teenager. He attended local schools in Georgia, including Valdosta State College, until he voluntarily enlisted with the United States Air Force. He faithfully served his four-year enlistment and later re-enlisted as an Air Force Reservist until retiring in 1994 with 20 years of service as a Technical Sergeant. Employed by GTE/Verizon for more than 25 years, Ellis moved through the ranks as Operator, Lineman, and his most recent assignment as a Management Supervisor in the Central Office where he retired in 2002.
He became a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. While attending, Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Hodge served in many ministries under the teaching and training of the late, Senior Pastor, Dr. L.S. McCree. Continuing to serve diligently in various ministry roles at Mt. Zion, including Pastor of the Singles Ministry, Pastor Hodge was called and licensed to preach in 1990 under the leadership of the late, Senior Pastor, Wilkins Garrett, Jr. It was in 1998, God used the residents of Graham - Rogall Apartments, to call him out to start Word of Life Fellowship Church.
He received his Diploma in Theology from Beacon Theological Seminary. He has an AA Degree in Logistic management from the United States Air Force Community College, and attended Bethune-Cookman College. Furthermore, he has achieved 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. Pastor Hodge serves as a teaching professor with Life Christian University’s College of Theology. In addition to his teaching profession, he co-oversees an extension campus affiliate of Life Christian University in St. Petersburg, FL.
He is married to the lovely, Teralyn Hodge, and they have one son, Andrew Ellis Lamar Hodge and a devoted niece, T’nora Dessaw.