MEET OUR LEADERSHIP
The Equipping Center Leadership
Dr. Hasker Hudgens, Jr.
Hasker Hudgens, Jr. is a leader with a commitment and passion to develop the “leader within the leader”. With more than 20 years of education and experience as a lecturer, teacher, consultant, leadership trainer, and mentor, he is devoted to deliver relevant and compelling, life changing teachings that impact lives now and for generations. His loyalty and understanding of the importance of Purpose and Activation have enabled him to transform communities through practical assessments of challenges and opportunities, identification of next steps as well as direct strategic development in a timely, relevant and concise way.
For decades, Hasker has successfully assisted individuals, businesses and organizations to attain their goals from organizational structure to community infiltration to expansion plans. All the while, there was a promise from God that he would establish a place where individuals could attain successful living as well. It would be a place where the Body of Christ would discover their Purpose, develop in a mature and responsible way, and grow through opportunities to serve in their specific gifts. This ministry would be dedicated to introducing people to embrace a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, helping individuals discover, grow and live out their purpose making responsible choices. On February 9, 2014, the promise became a reality and The Equipping Center welcomed the world to embrace Life as a community of believers in the Lord, Jesus Christ, on purpose and with a passion for seeing and living in the promises of God.
Pastor Hasker is frequently invited to address churches, corporate entities, rotary clubs, local charities, civic organizations, and many others. He serves on several boards and business roundtables adding a balance and comprehensive outlook to solutions and plans of action. His list of accolades includes receiving the South Carolina Palmetto Patriot Award which is the highest honor bestowed by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fellow citizens and the State of South Carolina through one’s commitment to public service within their state and community. Hasker has also received the Heroes Next Door Award by Greenville Forward, WJMZ 107.3FM Black History Makers Award and various Mayoral and Senate proclamations and recognitions. Hasker is a founding member of the Homes of Hope Advisory Board, a Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Greenville Graduate, Class XXXVI, a former board member of both the Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital Philanthropy Board and Greenville First Steps, and a recent graduate of the Riley Institute at Furman University Diversity Leadership Institute.
God has faithfully elevated Pastor Hudgens locally, nationally, and globally. In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Service Award under the leadership of President Barack Obama. In May 2022, Pastor Hudgens became a Peace Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Most recently, Pastor Hudgens became Dr. Hasker Hudgens, Jr. as he received his Doctorate degree in Theology.
Dr. Hudgens resides and pastors in Greenville, South Carolina and is happily married to Deanna Hudgens. Together, they are committed to loving God, loving family, and loving and equipping individuals for the work of ministry and the edifying of the Body of Christ.
Deanna M. Hudgens
Deanna Hudgens is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Design and a Master's degree in City & Regional Planning. After college, she worked with the Greenville County Planning Commission as a planner for the City of Greenville where she worked directly with City Council providing recommendations regarding Zoning and Annexation requests as well as assisting in zoning ordinance modifications and additions and master planning groundwork.
In 2008, Deanna began a career in commercial real estate brokerage with Bentley Commercial, LLC, now Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services Greenville, LLC. As a CRE professional, she has shown cutting edge creativity in making deals happen as well as earning a reputation for understanding her clients’ needs and how to best serve their needs with understanding and time-sensitive market knowledge. Deanna serves her clients in leasing, sales, planning and investments, and land development.
In February 2014, Deanna began the wonderful assignment of pastoring dynamic believers who are called to Greatness in God. She became an ordained minister one year later. However, 1996 is when God began the preparation as Deanna encountered Him beyond her childhood understanding and began to desire transformation in knowing Him and living in Him. God used two avenues to draw Deanna closer to His tangible presence: a hunger and passion to explore hidden truths in the Word and a drive for life-changing Worship. Little did she know that she had just begun a love affair that would guide her through all facets of life for the rest of her life.
Deanna enjoys being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, as she functions as required in the Body of Christ. God has anointed her to assist in equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. Her love is to prove to others that there is a life available that is better than what they have seen as she leads them in the Discovery, Development, and Deployment of the Greatness God has absolutely made available within them.
In her spare time, Deanna enjoys serving in various capacities. Whether it is with her family, in her community, or with her clients, she enjoys being with people and loving life. She and her husband, Hasker Hudgens, Jr., together, have seven beautiful children and eleven lively grandchildren. They shepherd a Powerful Army of Greatness called The Equipping Center in Greenville, South Carolina, where everyone is taught how to Live the life they imagine in Christ!
Throughout her life, Deanna has infiltrated racial and gender barriers. Whether at Clemson University as the first black female Drum Major of the Tiger Marching Band or as the first black Miss Clemson, Deanna chartered territories that opened doors to others that refused to be overlooked. In 2008, she became the only black full-time commercial real estate broker in Greenville’s mainstream brokerage market where she has crafted numerous deals with National Credit Tenants like Firehouse Subs, AT&T, Batteries Plus, Direct Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Verizon, Cricket, Family Dollar, Sprint, and Hilton Hotels.
Deanna has her sights on many new endeavors in the church as well as marketplace ministry that will continue to expand opportunities for generations to come. Today, pastoring with her husband and the dedication to expand lives and open hearts to discover why they are here gives her great satisfaction. Deanna says, “Knowing the “Why?” of a life exponentially increases self-worth and gives direction. We call that Purpose and it's worth waking up and fighting for”.
Affiliations & Service
Current
The Equipping Center - Pastor and Worship Leader (Est. February 2014)
CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)
CCIM Institute - Member Services Committee
City Of Greenville Infrastructure Board
Completed
The Palmetto Bank - Greenville Advisory Board (~2000-2012)
United Way of Greenville County - Community Impact Cabinet (~2010-2012)
United Way of Greenville County - High School Graduation Council, Vice Chair
United Ministries Board of Directors
Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Regents
Soteria Community Development Corporation Board, Chair
Leadership Greenville Graduate, Class XXI
Urban League of the Upstate - Housing Board, Chair
CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Upstate - Founding Member
Education
Clemson University - Bachelor of Science - Architectural Design (1989)
Clemson University - Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning (1992)
Trimm University with Dr. Cindy Trimm - School of Ministry Class of 2007, Salutatorian