Pastor's Vision Statement

Pastor Hobbs was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas. He attended Holman Elementary and High Schools graduating in 1965 as the class salutatorian. After high school graduation, he matriculated at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Economics in 1969. At graduation because he had completed four years of Reserve Officers Training (ROTC), he was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. In January 1970, he entered active duty. He concluded his military career on February 1, 2000, after “30 years” of service, at the rank of Colonel. During his career, he was selected to many key command and staff positions in the United States, Korea, and Germany. He received many awards and decorations during his Army career.

Six months after retiring from the United States Army, he began a second career as a Program Manager and Director of Business Development with L3 Communications/ILEX Systems, Inc./Navy & Aviation Systems Division (NASD) in Mays Landing, New Jersey. On February 1, 2008, after nearly eight years with L-3 Communications, he left the corporate sector to work as an Independent Professional Consultant specializing in the areas of Contract Support, Business Development, and Program Management.

In 1986, Pastor Hobbs and his family joined Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside, NJ. He was active in Sunday school and served as President of the Usher Board. In 1989, he left Grace Temple because of a military reassignment. From 1989 until 1994, he and his family faithfully served in various capacities at New Hope Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, MI and Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Mannheim, Germany. In 1994, he returned to Grace Temple and continued his faithful service to the Lord. He served as the Vice-Chairman of the Trustee Board for two years. In November 1998, he was ordained as a Deacon. He also served as the Sunday School Superintendent from 1996-2000, re-establishing Grace Temple’s participation with the Camden County Church School and BTU, Bethany Baptist Association, and the New Jersey State Baptist Workers Conference. He served as President of the Camden County Church School and BTU. On Easter Sunday in 2002, he responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and accepted his call to the ministry. In April 2003, Pastor Reggie Johnson licensed him as minister to preach the gospel, and in 2006 ordained him as the Assistant Pastor of Grace Temple. He remained in that position until he was selected as the Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

On November 24, 2013, he was installed as Zion Hill’s seventh Pastor. Over the past seven years the Lord has blessed Pastor Hobbs to be a positive influence on the Zion Hill members and the West Philadelphia community. He revitalized some ministries and established others; started a beautification day; ordained nine deacons (six women), installed a new sound system, recarpeted the entire church, increased the church’s involvement in local and state associations, congress and convention. He has on-going efforts to make the church a place of service and worship for all, especially those in search of a relationship with the living Savior. His mission is to preach and teach the truth of God’s Words and live a life that pleases God. He gives God credit for all that has occurred in his life. His life verse is Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praises shall continually be in my mouth.

Pastor Hobbs is a 2004 graduate of Manna Bible Institute with a Certificate in Biblical Studies. He is a Certified Biblical Counselor bestowed in 2009 by the Christian Research & Development Training Institute. Also, in 2009 he obtained a certificate in Pastoral Crisis Intervention, University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. He completed the necessary training and received a Certificate for Expository Preaching from the E.K. Bailey International Preaching Conference in July 2010. He is now pursuing a Master of Divinity from Grace School of Theology. Pastor Hobbs’ accomplishments and recognitions have been many in both the secular and Christian sectors.

He describes his bride of 50 plus years, Arnetta L. Hobbs, as his wonderful helpmate and the wind beneath his wings. They are blessed to have two adult children and two grandchildren. Their children graduated from Hampton University. Their son, Byron Anthony, and his family resides in Chicago, Illinois. Their daughter, Tamara Elizabeth, lives in Mount Laurel, NJ