Hannah Hodge ’19

Current city and job:

Brevard, NC | Administrative Coordinator, Ridge Haven Camp and Conference Center

What first interested you in your career? How did you discern your calling?

My career has looked a little different from what I had imagined when I studied computer science in college. I had a knack for computer software development and truly enjoyed studying it at Covenant. But I also grew up attending and then working at Ridge Haven and have always loved the ministry here. I feel that I am administratively gifted and came to Ridge Haven excited to use that gift for an organization that seeks to serve the body of Christ.

What has your career path looked like since graduating from Covenant?

After getting my degree in computer science, I worked for about a year in that field as a conversion programmer at a church management software company before the Lord called me and my husband to ministry at Ridge Haven. While the job that I do is not currently in the field that I have a degree in, I believe that the Lord made it clear that there are still ways I can use my gifts for a ministry that I know and love. Stepping away from what felt like more of a "career" in software development was hard, since it was something that I did really enjoy, but the relational and spiritual growth that I get to experience here at Ridge Haven has been such a gift, and I feel it is how the Lord has called me to use His gifts at this point in my life.

I also love that every day looks different! I get to work in various areas and oversee so much of what happens administratively here at Ridge Haven. I really enjoy getting to lead and serve our staff each Summer and help them have the same sort of experience I had while working here in college.

Looking back now, how did Covenant prepare you for your job and for life?

My coursework at Covenant prepared me for this because it taught me to be a problem solver. I was definitely challenged in my computer science classes at Covenant, and now I have the confidence to use the resources around me to help work towards a solution of any problem, even if it seems overwhelming at first. Campus life at Covenant showed me what discipleship and living in community can and should look like, which is something I want to bring to the community here at Ridge Haven.

I remember reading Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller in one of my computer science classes, which focuses on how we were created to work and that all work can bring glory to the Lord. While sometimes working at a camp can consist of what feels like menial tasks, it helps me to remember that all work has dignity and can honor the Lord.

In what ways did Covenant impact your faith, and how does your faith inform your career?

The biggest way Covenant impacted my life-long spiritual formation is in the relationships that it provided for me. It is such a blessing to have friends from college that I still keep up with and see—people that encourage me and point me to the Lord.

I hope that my faith impacts every part of my life. Recently, the Lord has been showing and reminding me that my identity is in Him and not in my performance. This translates into how I view my work, marriage, and other relationships. I hope to strive to keep this true identity in mind as I go through every part of my life.

One way I am seeing God's faithfulness is in the relationships he continues to provide for me. Finding friends in college can be a lot easier than in life post grad, but I am so thankful for the friendships that the Lord has brought into my life over the past few years. I also see His faithfulness through my work. On days where it can feel overwhelming, He continually shows me that He is in control of what goes on here at Ridge Haven, and it has helped me grow in my trust that He will provide beyond what I can even hope for.

What advice would you give students who are considering Covenant?

I would tell students considering Covenant that going to a school that is so small will look different than lots of other larger colleges that they could go to, but not to discount it—the smaller, Christ-centered environment is truly unique and a lot of fun!

I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested in software development to pursue it, especially female students. I think there is such a need for Christian women in the software space, and I would encourage anyone thinking about going into that field to not give up and find the resources that you need to work towards your goals. Secondly, if a student is interested in pursuing ministry that is maybe outside of their direct field of study, I would encourage them to pursue the Lord's calling even if it seems unconventional. Working at a camp and conference center and doing full-time ministry is so much fun, and even though it is not the career I pictured myself in after college, it has been so rewarding, and I am very thankful that the Lord called me into this job!

Why did you choose Covenant?

I chose Covenant because I was excited about a college experience that was centered around community. Since my mom went to Covenant, I grew up hearing about it, and it always seemed like such a special place.

What are some fond memories or a favorite story from your time at Covenant?

80's Skate Night was always my favorite event! But overall, I really appreciated the community I had on my hall while at Covenant. I loved that girls from different years were put on my hall so that I could get to know people outside of just my class. Living in Carter for three years was so much fun, and I definitely miss that community.