Bishop Ronnie Lee Hood, upon graduating from high school, heard the voice of God compelling him to go forward in ministry. He was mentored under the Annual Bishop of the Goldsboro-Raleigh District Assembly, E. L. Uzzell (his uncle) and General Vice Bishop Charlie Elmer Williams.

He preached his initial sermon on the fourth Sunday in July 1970 at St. James Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, LaGrange, NC (under the leadership of Elder Walter M. McLaurin). The sermon was entitled: “A Midnight Prayer” with the subtopic, ‘The Time the Lord Went Into Action’. His text for the message was Acts 16:25-26.

Bishop Hood was ordained as an Elder in 1973. He became the pastor of Little Rock Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ in November of 1973 and has pastored other churches in the service of the Lord and the Church.

On November 12, 1988, Elder Hood was elected and consecrated as the 1st Presiding Prelate of the Southern Assembly Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Eastern District of America. The Chief Officiant and Consecrator was former General Bishop E. L. Uzzell.

In November of 2018, 30 years after first serving, Bishop Hood was once again elected as the Presiding Prelate of the Southern District Assembly of the Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and he continues to serve in that role.

Bishop Hood was born in Lenoir County, NC to Mr. and Mrs. Willie (Jennie) Hood. He is married to First Lady Mary Faison Hood and is the father to four adult children: Deacon Montoria (Cotillion), Elder Nico (Evangelist Joi), Bishop Robert D. (Elder Tachala), and Evangelist Misty V. Hood.