Pastor's Biography

Rev. Anthony R. Hood was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He is the eldest of two sons born to Ms. Norma Hood and Mr. James Hood. He attended Bishop Borgess High School in Redford, Michigan and graduated in June of 1991. He went on to attend Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychological Services in May of 1995.

During his four years at Northwestern, Rev. Hood finally accepted the call God had placed on his life. Realizing that he could no longer run from God, he enrolled at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in the fall of 1995. Rev. Hood completed his Master of Divinity degree in December of 1998.

Rev. Hood was ordained an Elder in May 2004 by the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served as an Associate Pastor over Children’s and Youth Ministries at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, Michigan and Senior Pastor of Berea St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Highland Park, Michigan. On July 1, 2005, Rev. Hood was appointed as the Senior Pastor of the “Historic” Scott Memorial United Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
Rev. Hood and his beautiful wife, LaKesha, were wed in May of 2000.

Rev. Hood has a passion for imparting the Word of God simply and clearly, especially for youth. He challenges those who hear him to wrestle with the truths found in scripture as they strive to become a faithful disciple of Christ. He patterns his preaching style after his grandfather, the late Rev. Jolly Turner, Sr. of Gadsden, Alabama.

Rev. Hood is a featured speaker for revivals, workshops and conferences. He serves as the Vice Chairman for the Detroit Annual Conference Board of Global Ministries and is the President of the Detroit Conference Black Clergy Group.

Rev. Hood lives by the words found in Galatians 2:19-20 NIV:

“Through the law I died to the law so I might live to God. I have been
crucified with Christ: and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who
lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son
of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”