Podcast Summary: "Higher Heights"
Church of the Highlands - Sunday Messages (February 1, 2026)
Overview of the Episode
The "Higher Heights" episode marks the 25th anniversary of Church of the Highlands, reflecting on its journey, celebrating its impact, and casting vision for the future. Pastors Chris Hodges, Mark Pattison, Jill Pattison, and Tammy Hodges speak candidly about the church’s calling, milestones, core values, and their dedication to the Great Commission. The message is infused with gratitude, testimonies of transformation, and a strong commitment to continue pursuing "higher heights" through knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. There are also exciting announcements for the next phase of growth, new campuses, and initiatives that will propel the church into its next 25 years.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Foundation and Fulfillment of the Great Commission
- The church’s story began with a God-given calling before any buildings or services existed.
- Mark Pattison (00:21): “Before there were campuses, buildings, or services, there was a calling, a mandate from Jesus Himself.”
- The first 10 weeks saw 170 salvations, affirming the church’s purpose of reaching people.
- Chris Hodges (00:27): “A miracle was born.”
- Emphasis on making disciples, baptizing, and teaching as core to the church’s DNA.
- Chris Hodges (06:11): “This is a Great Commission church.”
2. Miracles, Transformations, and Personal Stories
- Personal testimonies pepper the episode, highlighting lives changed by faith, community, and prayer.
- Jill Pattison shares personal transformation (00:48): “God has stretched me and taught me in ways I never knew he could… I’m just getting started.”
- Stories of restored families, freedom from addiction, and new purpose:
- Jill Pattison (02:24): “I was overwhelmed by this peace that I had never experienced before.”
- Mark Pattison (03:56): “A family restored, my children.”
- Chris Hodges (03:59): “They do not see that struggling drug addict that they once saw.”
3. Growth and Expansion: New Campuses and Church Planting
- Announcement and celebration of new and existing campuses, showing ongoing growth.
- Chris Hodges (01:30): “Today we launch our 11th campus.”
- Chris Hodges (19:38): “Come on, Highlands. Let’s say hello to Prattville, Alabama… Our next campus is going to launch on March 15th in Peachtree City, Georgia.”
- The church’s commitment to the Association of Related Churches (ARC): over 1,200 churches planted, continuing focus on raising new leaders.
4. Core Church Values and Vision for the Future
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The message pivots into the church’s core spiritual journey:
- Know God
- Find Freedom
- Discover Purpose
- Make a Difference
Chris Hodges (12:56): “These four mountains represent the know God, find freedom, discover purpose, and make a difference journey that God has for our church.”
a. Knowing God
- Salvation isn’t about head knowledge or transaction, but genuine relationship (ginosko).
- Chris Hodges (15:37): “God wants to make sure we realize that this is about a real relationship with him.”
b. Finding Freedom
- Community and small groups are pivotal for healing and transformation.
- Jill Pattison (16:56): “We are better together. Come on, church—together, we win.”
- Launching thousands of small groups, emphasizing koinonia (Christian fellowship).
c. Discovering Purpose
- Growth Track is not a three-step class but a lifelong journey, now with enhanced focus on community, personal growth plans, and continuous spiritual formation.
- Chris Hodges (23:14): “You can grow here for life. There will always be a next step here for you…”
d. Making a Difference
- Every believer is a minister—serving isn’t confined to Sundays or inside the church.
- Chris Hodges (25:38): “Highlands, we are boldly a Spirit filled church… We are the Dream Team. We never lay that title down.”
- Story of Siya from the Woodlawn campus embodies everyday impact—inviting an Uber driver to church, leading to his salvation and baptism.
5. Honoring the Pastors and 25 Years of Ministry
- Special recognition of founding pastors Chris and Tammy Hodges, and the leadership transition to Mark and Jill Pattison.
- Mark Pattison (28:10): “Thank you to you, Pastor Chris and Ms. Tammy for your yes to God and your yes to coming to Birmingham, Alabama and planting this church.”
- Chris Hodges (35:38): “Every pastor has a dream of pastoring a church like you, and only I got to do it… we do give God all the glory.”
6. Forward-Focused Faith and Encouragement
- Reaffirming the best is yet to come. The church is “just getting started” with more dreams, more people to reach, and greater heights ahead.
- Mark Pattison (06:53): “Y’ all do know the best is yet to come, right?”
- Chris Hodges (36:28): “We’re not a great church. We serve a great God.”
- Tammy Hodges (38:42): “I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells…The best is yet to come.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Chris Hodges (00:12): “This is crazy. It really is exceedingly, abundantly above anything that we were asking or thinking.”
- Jill Pattison (02:12): “And for 25 years, one thing has never changed. It's always been about people meeting Jesus.”
- Chris Hodges (13:17): “God always has more for us. God always has a journey in front of us, and we get to take that journey one step at a time.”
- Chris Hodges (25:42): “God gathers us so he can scatter us across Alabama and Georgia to make a difference.”
- Mark Pattison (31:21): “Esther, 4:14… For such a time as this, this is our generation. This is our moment. And Highlands, we are not stepping back.”
- Chris Hodges (36:28): “We’re not a great church. We serve a great God… Not to us, not to us, oh, Lord, but to your name be all the glory.”
- Tammy Hodges (38:52): “I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells… The best is yet to come.”
Important Timestamps
- 00:12-02:58: Founding stories, testimonies, and launching new campuses
- 03:14: Story of personal transformation and “going all in” for Christ
- 05:00-07:00: Emphasis on the Great Commission, vision for the next 25 years
- 12:00-16:45: Four pillars of the church journey; “Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, Make a Difference”
- 19:38: Announcement of new campuses—Prattville and Peachtree City
- 25:42: “Dream Team” mindset—every believer is a minister, not just on Sundays
- 28:10: Honoring Chris and Tammy Hodges
- 35:38: Chris and Tammy Hodges’ reflections on 25 years and vision for the future
- 38:52: Tammy Hodges reads Psalm 26:8 - “I love the house where you live… The best is yet to come.”
Tone, Language & Atmosphere
- The tone throughout is celebratory, faith-filled, grateful, and visionary.
- Language is inclusive (“we,” “our church,” “family”).
- Speakers frequently express emotion, humor, and humility.
- Emphasis on unity, boldness, and living out faith both inside and outside the church.
Recap & Action Steps
- Celebrate God’s faithfulness over 25 years.
- Stay committed to the Great Commission—continually reaching new people and communities.
- Engage in community—join a small group for authentic relationships and healing.
- Pursue continuous spiritual growth—commit to the new Growth Track experience.
- Live as the Dream Team every day—see your daily life as ministry, making a difference everywhere.
- Pray for, support, and honor church leadership as they guide the next 25 years.
Listeners are encouraged to step into the “higher heights” God has for them and the church, living with expectation, bold faith, and a united heart for reaching people and changing lives.