Meet Michelle Hodge
February 27, 2025
In the heart of Commerce, Texas, a journey of faith and community unfolds.
Hello, I am Michelle Hodge, a second-year Master of Divinity student. My path to ministry is woven with the threads of countless conversations and shared meals. For forty-two years, a humble Mennonite couple opened their home every Thursday night, inviting college students to gather, eat, and explore the profound question of what it means to live in the kingdom of peace. In this sacred space, a profound gift of grace this couple shared with the students’ community, I found my calling. Thus, it tells, my conviction did not come through a single moment, but through the collective wisdom and fellowship of the weekly gatherings we had. Inspired by the words of Jesus in John 1, “What are you looking for?” Startlingly, the disciples responded with an unusual question, “Where are you staying?” My ministry is about being present, listening, and responding to the needs of the community, being there, and being available for someone.
As I pursued my seminary journey, I am inviting everyone to join in this mission. Your support can help nurture future leaders who will continue to ask, “Where are you staying?” and bring the light of hope and compassion to those in need. Together, let’s build a legacy of giving and service that echoes through generations.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has provided the courses, conversations, and community to expand my embodied imagination on what it means to love your neighbor. Field education has opened doors to pursuing peacemaking and interreligious dialogue work in an area of conflict. Everyone has a story. Garrett’s courses on Pastoral Care and Counseling, Chaplaincy, and Christian Ethics have helped me to understand what it means to enter the liminal spaces between joys and sufferings and meet people where they are. I’m thankful for the many ways the seminary community has encouraged me in this ministerial direction and guided me along the path towards liberating justice and love.
Seminary was not something I could have imagined when I lived in rural East Texas. Ordination of women was unheard of and unwelcome. There was a fire within me that refused to believe that women were excluded from the pulpit. I needed a seminary that could empower the voice of women and hear her speak. For me, this meant moving nearly 1,000 miles from Commerce to Chicago with the hope and expectation that Garrett would offer a refuge for women who desire to live out their faith calling. I have found this to be true! Garrett’s commitment to educating and empowering all who come and seek allowed me to breathe for the first time and be transformed by the love and grace of God.
Funding education in the United States is a significant issue, often resulting in lifelong loan repayments. I am deeply grateful for the financial support provided by the generous donors to Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (GETS). Without these ongoing contributions, pursuing a seminary education would have been beyond my reach and also many of my local and international colleagues. The scholarships I have been awarded are a significant factor in my decision to study at Garrett, making my educational journey possible. I feel indebted to such unwavering support and for making my dreams and many others a reality.
Envisioning my future ministry, I aspire to transform peacemaking from a mere concept into a lived reality that permeates all of creation. As I embark on this journey, I yearn to become the person God has always cherished. I dream of sharing life in community, breaking bread in solidarity, and fostering deep connections. I hope to listen to countless stories, each one acknowledged as seen and beloved. Above all, I strive to embody Christ’s generous hospitality, extending love to strangers and recognizing our shared humanity, where everyone is worthy of care and recognition.