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full-time employment for the state of South Carolina by the time he was forty-seven. is achievement could only be explained as providential.
e rst two years of employment as a case- worker by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health during the mid nineteen sixties led to the award of a full two-year scholarship to New York University. Fol- lowing two years of full-time study, Rodgers was awarded the Master of Social Work De- gree. It was the acquisition of knowledge and skills along with the social work degree that opened additional doors of opportunity.
Two years following the completion of study at New York University, the University of South Carolina hired Rodgers as an instruc- tor. At the age of twenty-six, he was trans- ferred to the college of social work as an as- sistant professor. He pursued further study while teaching full-time and completed the requirements for the Ph.D in 1977 at the age of thirty-three. Answering the call to Christian Ministry, two years later with an ever-present quest for knowledge, Rodgers was encouraged to enter seminary study. He accepted the challenge and won admission to the Lutheran eological Seminary South- ern in 1982. Requirements for the Masters of Divinity degree (M.Div) were completed in 1988. It is signi cant to note that this was accomplished while teaching full-time. Rod- gers learned to believe that determination, drive and focus have its rewards.
His call to Christian Ministry quickly led Dr. Rodgers to an understanding and apprecia- tion of bi-vocational career. Because few Af- rican American Churches could a ord full- time ministers, pastors were expected to work in most cases. e preacher/teacher careers were not uncommon.
In 1980, Dr. Rodgers was Ordained as a Baptist Minister. For ten years he pastored the Old Wilson Baptist Minister in Chester, South Carolina. In 1992, he was ordained as a United Methodist Church minister. He was appointed by Bishop Joseph Bethea to the L. Dequincy Newman United Methodist
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Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Fol- lowing twelve years of service, this appoint- ment was concluded. Rodgers was sent to the Anderson District, typically referred to as Upstate, South Carolina. He was ap- pointed the Pendleton Charge, comprised of two churches, Bethel and Central United Methodist Churches. ese churches were pastored for four years requiring two sermons per Sunday. is pastoral assignment was designated as a two-point charge. e Pend- leton Charge let to an appointment in 2007 to his current appointment in Lugo , South Carolina. Dr. Rodgers is currently the pastor of Unity United Methodist Church, where he has been for seven years.
Dr. Rodgers believes in God. He believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He be- lieves in prayer and its power. Rodgers knows that prayer works. Prayer has transforma- tional power. Prayer has the power to help us transform for the cause of goodness.
Given his love for writing, Rodgers has pub- lished a number of journal articles and con- ference proceedings over the course of his career. Two of his most recent publications are entitled, “Your Dominion’s Rule: Accept the Gift” and “Your One-A-Day Spiritual Multivitamin”.
As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Rodgers preaches and teaches that every- one has the potential for greatness but also goodness. He believes that ones good can be better, until the better is made its best. e achievement of good can be determined by ones faith in God and our Savior Jesus Christ in addition to the power of prayer.
Dr. Rodgers is married to the former Claudia Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina. ey are the proud parents of three children: two sons and a daughter.
In conclusion, Dr. Rodgers is known through- out America for his contribution to family integrity as Director of the National Black Family Summit. For seventeen years, the Uni- versity of South Carolina College of Social Work sponsored this national initiative.
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