Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramon Hodridge.
Hi Ramon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey with Lyme disease began in December 2014 when I was bitten by a tick. At the time, I had no idea that a single bite would change the course of my health, my ministry, and my life. Over the next several years, while serving faithfully as the minister at the Avenue F Church of Christ, and then the Church of Christ in Plano, I started experiencing symptoms that didn’t make sense: crushing fatigue, brain fog, memory lapses, and body aches that would come and go without explanation.
At first, I chalked it up to stress or just the demands of ministry. But as time went on, the symptoms became impossible to ignore. There were Sundays when I would lose my train of thought mid-sermon, or moments where I’d forget simple words I’d said my entire life. I went from preaching from memory to needing full manuscripts just to keep my thoughts together. Eventually, I even had to bring a stool into the pulpit because standing for the entire sermon became too difficult.
Yet, from 2014 to August 2019, I was misdiagnosed repeatedly. Those years of uncertainty were some of the most discouraging and exhausting seasons of my life. I could feel my body deteriorating, and there were moments I quietly began preparing my obituary. But even in my lowest moments, my faith in God anchored me. I prayed constantly for answers and direction.
Those prayers, through God leading Sister Stacy Ross from the Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ, led me to Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, a facility that specializes in treating complex conditions like Lyme disease. I packed up and traveled to Arizona in August 2019, clinging to hope but also deeply aware of how fragile my health had become. The early weeks of treatment were some of the darkest days I’ve ever lived. I couldn’t walk unassisted. Some days I had to crawl to get around. At one point, I relied on a scooter to move through the center. But in those moments, my faith kept me grounded. I was surrounded by love and support from my family and friends, my congregation in Plano, and even local brothers and sisters in Arizona who reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the fight.
Gradually, the tide began to turn. My strength started to return. The brain fog lifted, my focus sharpened, and my mobility improved. By the end of that treatment season, I wasn’t completely “cured,” but I had experienced what I now call an 80% restoration, a gift from God that allowed me to reclaim my voice and my purpose.
When I returned to the pulpit, I preached a sermon titled “I’m Still Here.” That message wasn’t just a sermon; it was a declaration. I was still here: still standing, still preaching, and still serving. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It taught me that suffering doesn’t mean God has abandoned you; sometimes, it’s the very tool He uses to shape you for a greater purpose.
In May 2022, I accepted the call to serve as the minister for the Lawrence and Marder congregation. This church family has been a source of tremendous support, encouragement, and love, standing by me through every stage of this journey, including what would come next.
Unfortunately, in May 2023, my symptoms flared up again. Stress and the lack of successful local treatment caused my condition to worsen. Through the support of family, friends, brothers and sister in Christ, and strangers I was able to return to Arizona and come back strong.
It appears as though every couple of year’s symptoms flare up again. Today my mobility has become increasingly difficult, brain fog has returned with greater intensity, and my memory struggles have resurfaced. My faith remains strong, but if I’m honest, I am tired. The reality of ongoing treatment is daunting not just physically and emotionally but financially. The cost of returning to the level of care that helped me in 2019 and 2023 is significant, and stress is the very thing that worsens my condition.
Even in this season, though, I hold to my belief that God has a plan, even when I can’t see the full picture. I continue to serve, to preach, and to share my story, not because the journey is easy, but because someone else might find hope in knowing that even in the darkest valleys, God walks with us.
When I say “I’m still here,” it means something deeper now. It’s not just about survival; it’s about resilience, faith, and purpose. My story is still being written, and through it all, my prayer is that my journey will point others toward hope, perseverance, and the sustaining grace of God.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Lyme disease has been one of the toughest battles of my life: physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually at times. For years, I went undiagnosed, which meant I was declining without answers. Preaching through brain fog, memory loss, and severe fatigue was incredibly humbling. I went from being the preacher who never needed notes to the one who needed a manuscript and a stool just to make it through a sermon.
Even after finally getting the right diagnosis, the treatment process was grueling both physically and financially. In those early days at the Center in Arizona, I could barely walk. I had to crawl some days. That was hard, especially as someone used to being independent and active in ministry. And even now, with my symptoms flaring up again, I face new challenges with mobility, memory, and energy.
But through all of those struggles, I’ve learned to lean on my faith in a deeper way. I’ve also been blessed with incredible support from my family, my spiritual family, and friends who have stood with me and reminded me that I’m not fighting alone.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But even the rough patches have taught me resilience, humility, and how to truly trust God, even when I can’t see the path ahead.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a few hats, but at the heart of everything I do is a passion for serving people. I’ve been in ministry for almost 25 years and currently serve as the Senior Minister of the Lawrence and Marder Church of Christ, where I focus on preaching, teaching, and walking with people through every season of life. Ministry is my calling, and it’s what grounds me.
Professionally, I work as the Project Lead for Student Experience at Dallas College, where I supervise and lead efforts to connect students with work-based learning opportunities including internships, co-ops, practicums, and apprenticeships. Helping students gain real-world experience that can change the trajectory of their lives is some of the most fulfilling work I do.
Before my time at Dallas College, I worked in social work with Child Protection Services, where I advocated for vulnerable children and families in difficult situations. That experience really shaped my heart for service and taught me how important compassion and advocacy are in making a real impact.
I also founded a nonprofit, AFFECT, Inc., which allows me to combine my love for ministry and community service in ways that meet practical needs.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the titles or roles it’s the way I’ve been able to stay consistent in my mission: to serve, uplift, and create opportunities for others. I think what sets me apart is that whether I’m in the pulpit, in a meeting with a student, or out in the community, my goal is the same: helping people discover hope, purpose, and opportunity.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t really look at my life through the lens of luck, good or bad. I see it through the lens of faith and purpose. There have been seasons in my life that some might call “bad luck,” like years of being misdiagnosed with Lyme disease or facing setbacks in my health and career. But for me, those moments have been opportunities for growth, resilience, and deeper dependence on God.
On the other hand, what some might call “good luck,” I see as God’s favor and divine connections being in the right place at the right time to step into ministry opportunities, to make an impact at Dallas College, or to start a nonprofit that serves the community.
So while I can acknowledge the ups and downs that others might label as luck, I believe every step, whether easy or difficult, has been part of a greater plan shaping me for the work I’m called to do.
