Bishop Carl D. Hodges and 1st Lady Lolita Hodges
Bishop Carl D. Hodges
Bishop Hodges was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky February 1, 1963 and accepted Christ as Savior early in life and began a life of service. Upon graduation from Hopkinsville High School, Bishop Hodges enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1981. His first extended duty station was Hawaii. There he was introduced to the Church of God in Christ.
As a minister, he assisted in establishing a Gospel Worship at Wahiawa’s Naval Communications Station. Bishop Hodges met the former Lolita Davis in Wahiawa, Hawaii and on October 29, 1983, they married. Shortly thereafter, then Minister Hodges became the Layleader of the Gospel Worship at Wahiawa, accepted his call into the Gospel ministry, and was licensed to preach in September of 1984. In July 1985, military duty required Minister Hodges to transfer to Camp Pendleton, California. There, he joined the Friendly Church of God in Christ, Oceanside, California.
At Friendly, Minister Hodges continued to serve in several capacities in the Church including associate minister, Sunday School teacher, outreach member, men’s choir director, youth Pastor, and finally, Assistant Pastor. Minister Hodges was ordained as an Elder in January 1987 by Bishop Charles E. Blake in Los Angeles, California .
In May 1989, military duty again required Elder Hodges to transfer to Okinawa, Japan. In August 1989, Elder Hodges co-found the Greater Friendly Church of God in Christ Okinawa, Japan. At Greater Friendly, Elder Hodges was Assistant Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent as well as other areas of ministry. In May 1992, when military duty required Pastor John Bivins to transfer, Elder Hodges was appointed pastor by the Church of God in Christ Japan jurisdictional Bishop. In September 1992, Pastor Hodges was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps after 11 years of service in order to devote more time to ministry.
As a Marine, he was meritoriously promoted four times, was an honor graduate of NCO School, an honor graduate of intermediate supply school, winner of numerous Marine boards, and recipient of numerous other awards.
In January 2004, Pastor Hodges was appointed Superintendent of the Church of God in Christ Okinawa District. In November 2004, Pastor Hodges was appointed Bishop of the Church of God in Christ Japan jurisdiction after the previous bishop suffered an extended illness. In his present office of bishop, Bishop Hodges succeeds Bishop Dr. Archie Buchanan who had ministered in Japan for nearly 40 years.
Bishop Hodges is also employed by the Marine Corps Bases Japan Inspector General’s office. He continues to be an active bridge-builder among all peoples in Japan. He serves as a popular and much requested preacher, teacher, and speaker.
Bishop Hodges holds an Associate’s degree, Bachelors of Psychology and Theology degrees, and a Masters degree in Psychology. Bishop Hodges and his wife, Lolita, have four sons: Arman, Aaron, Adam, and Andrew. They also have six grandchildren: Arianna, Adam Jr, Alaya, Josiah, Jae'Lyn, and Alazae
1st Lady Lolita Hodges
Evangelist Lolita D. Hodges is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was educated in the Philadelphia public school system. After graduating from Germantown High School, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving 3 years, Evangelist Hodges transitioned to the United States Navy. Following a tour in Key West, Florida, she transferred to Wahiawa, Hawaii where she attended Prayer Center Church of God in Christ. It was there that she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and savior. While in Hawaii, Evangelist Hodges met Bro. Carl D. Hodges and on October 29th, 1983, they were united in holy matrimony.
In Feb 1986, after a brief separation due to military orders, Evangelist Hodges departed Hawaii to join her husband in Oceanside, Ca. They were united with Friendly Church of God in Christ. At Friendly, Evangelist Hodges became an accomplished Sunday Schooland youth worker.
In May 1989, the Hodges Family transferred to Okinawa, Japan. Upon arriving on Okinawa, Evangelist Hodges played an instrumental role in the establishment of Greater Friendly Church of God in Christ. Since the inception of Greater Friendly, Evangelist Hodges has been a youth director, Sunday School teacher, choir member, worship leader, women’s department president, and available servant of the Lord. When she became Greater Friendly’s First Lady, her work increased.
In May 1996, Evangelist Hodges joyfully retired from the U S Navy after completing a 20 year military career. Again, this shift provided no slow decrease in work. When her husband was elevated to Bishop, Evangelist Hodges’s work increased yet again. Evangelist Hodges presently serves the Japan COGIC Jurisdiction as the District Missionary of Okinawa and President of the Pastors and Elder’s Wives while continuing to serve her local church as President of the Women’s Department, Sunday School Teacher and Praise and Worship Leader.
Evangelist Hodges is the epitome of a holy woman of God and loves to edify the women of God. Evangelist Hodges continues to be employed by the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Evangelist and Bishop Hodges have four sons, Arman, Aaron, Adam, and Andrew and six grandchildren, Arianna, Adam Jr, Alaya, Josiah, Jae’Lyn, and Alazae.