Dinah Lee Hodgson

Although initially trained as a registered nurse, I have spent much of my adult life volunteering in the church sector, serving in many capacities such as worship, women’s and children’s ministry, adult education, and discipleship and Freedom Ministries.

In 1996, after praying for focus in ministry, the Lord led me to Isaiah 61. This became the guiding post for my life and ministry; to bring the good news of the Gospel to individuals, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty, and open prison doors as God uses me to help restore people to their original design and purpose. I long to see individuals understand and experience intimacy with God, and understand their God-given identity!

My life of volunteering refocused in early 2000, when I sensed a call to full-time ministry. To equip myself more formally, I received my BA from Grand Canyon University’s Christian Leadership program. This program along with participating in Lionshare Leadership’s A Leaders’s Journey course, engendered a deep burden for the health and wellness of Christian leaders, which has become my life calling. I was ordained as a pastor through Messenger Fellowship in 2008. Later, in 2021, sensing nudges from the Lord, I received my master’s and shortly after, a Doctorate at Primus University of Theology in Christian leadership, counseling, and coaching.

In addition to serving in leadership roles including staff pastoring within the local church, I co-founded the local chapter of Side-by-Side ministry (for medical professional spouses.) Recently I have had the privilege of being on the board and being a professor for the Fully Equipped Bible Institute, primarily training pastors and emerging leaders in Africa. I also continue to work with Lionshare Leadership Group as a mentor and vocational sphere leader.

I enjoy speaking at churches, women’s retreats, counseling emerging leaders, as well as teaching in various capacities, including Freedom Prayer.

On a personal note, I have been married to my husband, John, since 1979 and have been blessed with three wonderful children and 7 (so far!) grandchildren. Over the past years we have been able to create a family compound outside of Cleveland, Ohio and live next to our middle son and daughter. It is such a blessing to have family and grandkids nearby!