Stephen Hodges, Tennessee

Missionary Code #781325-3

Web site: http://jubileeproject.holston.org/

Web site for farm/food cooperative where you can order gift baskets and products: www.apspringcoop.com

Stephen Hodges is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries serving in Hancock County, TN, where he directs community development for Jubilee Project, a mission project that helps community residents gain the skills, experience and hope necessary to provide for the needs of one of the lowest-income areas of Appalachia. The Jubilee Project is related to Church and Community Ministries in the Mission Personnel Unit.

Steve helped start and continues to work with a youth organization for recreation and employment, and a cooperative of traditional craftspersons. He also works with a group of farmers exploring alternatives to growing tobacco, and a new small business training and assistance project.

“I coordinate planning, initiation and carry out work which develops the community toward self-sufficiency and a better quality of life,” says Steve. “This provides hope, challenge and real empowerment to people in a low-income area; contributing toward Christ's call to care for the needy by helping them meet their own needs with dignity.”

Previously he served as a community organizer with the Center for Community Action in Robeson County, NC. There he was involved with community groups who gathered for prayer, Bible study, and to work together on projects which group members chose: improving dangerous traffic and drainage situations, getting roads paved and county water extended to areas which need it, and joining efforts with other areas against toxic waste.

He also has served as a missionary in South Korea. For two years he taught English and Bible studies at the Pai Chai University in Taejon. He wrote an article that was used as background material at the KNCC’S first “International Symposium on Peace and Reunification in Korea.” Steve also worked part-time with the Christian Institute for the Study of Justice and Development.

The son of a retired United Methodist minister, Steve spent his childhood in South Korea where his parents were United Methodist missionaries. He received a bachelor of arts degree in biology and religion from Earlham College, Richmond, IN, attended Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX, then transferred to Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, where he received the master of divinity in 1980.

Before becoming a missionary, Steve was founder of the Richmond Peace Education Center, and co-founder of the Community of the Servant (Ecumenical House Church). Then a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Richmond, VA, Virginia Annual Conference, he was actively involved in church and community activities.

Steve is married to Diantha Hodges, who is also a GBGM missionary. They are the parents of three daughters: Hope Bethany, Joy Anna and Sarah Grace.