FROM THE BEGINNING, Pastor Chris Hodges, Chancellor of Highlands College, has been committed to raising the next generation of leaders. “My life has been about giving ministry away,” he shared, “Whether through the Dream Team at Church of the Highlands, small group leaders, church planters, or sending practically-trained students into the harvest field, I’ve always believed in multiplying leaders to address the leadership deficit in the world.”
That heart for leadership development gave birth to Highlands College in 2011. Originally a ministry training program held at Church of the Highlands’ Greystone campus, Highlands College equipped young leaders through hands-on training and deep spiritual formation. Highlands College has since evolved into a fully accredited four-year institution with state-of-the-art facilities, on-campus housing, and a bold vision to develop ministry leaders of character and competence who serve the local church.
Pastor Chris has often emphasized that the greatest crisis in the global church is not a lack of opportunity but a lack of leadership. “Everything rises and falls on leadership—including the church—and I believe with all my heart that Highlands College is strategically positioned to reverse this reality,” he shared.
During the recent celebration of Church of the Highlands’ 24th anniversary, Pastor Chris announced a historic leadership transition: He stepped into the role of Founding Pastor of the Church, and Pastor Mark Pettus, then serving as the College’s President, became the new Lead Pastor of Church of the Highlands.
“I realized I was spending 80% of my time on the church, but I was waking up every day thinking about Highlands College,” Pastor Chris said. “My passion and vision were increasingly centered on raising the next generation of church leaders.”
In reflection, Pastor Mark shared the same realization, “I’ve always loved Highlands College—it’s where my heart for ministry was truly formed, and I will always champion its mission. But I was waking up every day with ideas for the Church.” Mark’s words were both vulnerable and visionary—confirming a calling Pastor Chris immediately recognized.
Pastor Chris explains, “When Mark began preaching more often, more people were getting saved. I saw the grace of God resting on him. It was a sign for me to support the vision from a different seat.”
The transition of roles was stewarded over two years with intentionality, prayer, and wise counsel. External advisors walked both leaders through a succession process that Pastor Mark lightheartedly compared to “premarital counseling.” With Church of the Highlands being a critical partner for Highlands College students to receive instruction from real-life practitioners and experience hands-on ministry training, what’s most moving about this transition is how it has unified the relationship between a local, life-giving church and Highlands College. The values and DNA of honor, organizational stability, and spiritual family have left a remarkable legacy.
“Healthy transition is rare,” Pastor Chris said. “But it should be the norm in the Body of Christ. Leaders must get out of the way at the right time so the church can keep moving forward.”
Pastor Mark affirms that the Church and College will continue standing firm with the mission in the middle. “God was clear when He gave us the Great Commission—we’re called to raise workers and disciple them to be sent out into the harvest field to share the Good News of Jesus with a hurting world. Regardless of our earthly leadership roles, we will always answer to the mission of God.”
Rather than retirement, this transition was a step forward in the re-firing of God’s purposes. “Now more than ever, the global church needs trained, Spirit-led leaders who will reach the lost and disciple the found,” Pastor Chris shared.
As Pastor Chris continues to pour into Highlands College, leaning into his Chancellor role with greater capacity, millions of dollars have been raised for Highlands College, with expansion plans and new academic pathways underway.
“The vision for Highlands College has never been clearer. We want to supply the capital ‘C’ Church with leaders of competence, character, and spiritual maturity to fulfill the Great Commission. Our mission matters because people matter—eternity matters. The harvest isn’t just plentiful—it’s urgent,” said Pastor Chris.
Highlands College’s partnership with Church of the Highlands is the primary distinctive that sets it apart from other biblical higher education institutions. Each student receives hands-on ministry training from experienced practitioners in their field of study. Positioned in a healthy and thriving local church—Church of the Highlands, the second largest church in America—Highlands College students actively gain and build upon the knowledge and practical skills they need to lead in real-world ministry settings—ultimately equipping them to tend to the harvest and fulfill the Great Commission.
As Highlands College and Church of the Highlands stand on the foundation of what has been, one thing is sure: God’s best is yet to come, and He’s at work in the next generation of ministry leaders. ■
“The vision for Highlands College has never been clearer. We want to supply the capital ‘C’ Church with leaders of competence, character, and spiritual maturity to fulfill the Great Commission. Our mission matters because people matter—eternity matters. The harvest isn’t just plentiful—it’s urgent.”
