Living on the mountain is wonderful, but there is one drawback–it is almost impossible to get food delivered up at Covenant, which can be tragic after an intense study session or a hard sports practice. However, Mr. T’s Pizza and Ice Cream, located at the base of Lookout Mountain, has saved many Covenant students from hunger and despair, delivering up the mountain since 1989. Sharing pizza and ice cream is an integral Covenant memory, and Eddy Hilger ’95 and his wife, Carlee (Bevis) ’95 , are working to carry that memory on since taking up the mantle of Mr. T’s in the past couple years. As the current owners of Mr. T’s and the founders of Hilger Higher Learning, a Christian homeschool tutorial program, the Hilgers have worn a lot of hats throughout their lives. However, when looking back at how God has led them, they can see His providence through every one of their endeavors.

A Busy Community

When Eddy came to Covenant, he deeply immersed himself into the Covenant community and culture, majoring in interdisciplinary studies with focuses on biology, physical education, and biblical and theological studies. He also played both basketball and soccer for four years and ran cross country during his last semester, since it took him four and a half years to graduate. Eddy greatly valued the love he felt from his hall, teammates, and small group time, where he and his friends would connect and study Scripture. He remembers how much Covenant changed him for the better, saying “All my friends, when I’d go back for the summer, were like ‘man, what happened to you? You are different.’” Former President Frank Brock was also a positive influence on Eddy, encouraging him to honor God in all his pursuits and not to pigeonhole himself into a career because it felt more “Christian.” 

Founding Hilger Higher Learning

Eddy also met his wife, Carlee, at Covenant, and after they were married, Carlee began to seek out teaching opportunities around Chattanooga. Eddy recalls Carlee coming to him one day and expressing interest in teaching science to homeschoolers. At the time, homeschooling was almost nonexistent, and getting the money to start a program would be difficult. However, they were able to learn more through friends of theirs who homeschooled their children, and Carlee determined that if she could get lab equipment, she would step out in faith and start the program. Not long after this decision, Carlee paid a visit to Landmark Christian School, where she’d taught Biology and Anatomy before she and Eddy married. While visiting a friend, Carlee noticed 12 microscopes sitting in the corner of the lab, and the friend asked her if she knew of anyone who needed microscopes. This was the answer to prayer Carlee had been looking for, so she started teaching two small biology classes on Covenant’s campus. Soon, greater demand for math and other classes led the Hilgers to expand to a local church building.  Today, Hilger Higher Learning serves over 700 students around the Chattanooga area. They proudly employ 40 faculty and staff, many of whom are Covenant grads. They offer multiple locations, and a host of subjects and programs, serving all ages from kindergarten to 12th grade. 

Owning Mr. T’s 

The Hilgers recently acquired Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream, a staple for hungry Covenant students and the surrounding communities, including St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain. Eddy fondly remembers having Mr. T’s pizza after every home game at Covenant, and had wondered if the owner of Mr. T's had a succession plan for when he retired. . A few years ago, when he heard that Tyler, the owner, was looking to sell, Eddy began the conversation and acquired ownership of Mr. T’s in 2023. “The food service business has always spoken to me,” Eddy said. “It’s a great way to serve people and our store has a wonderful family - community feel.  Plus, it’s hard not to be happy when eating pizza and ice cream.” 

The Lord guided the Hilgers into business with their oldest son, Jackson, who is now a co-owner of the business. It has been exciting to watch Jackson take ownership and manage the day-to-day operations with such skill, especially as a young adult. It has been challenging to learn how to live out their faith in this new world, which is something Eddy is constantly thinking about. “How do we live out the gospel each day,” he wonders, “so that those around you actually see the light of the gospel in the way that we are treating them, leading them, relating to them, paying them, etc.?” 

Keeping Busy

Carlee recently decided to retire from teaching biology and anatomy at Hilger after 26 years, but she works tirelessly on the administrative side to keep things running smoothly. Eddy balances running Mr. T’s and presidential duties as the head of Hilger, and both of them are constantly looking for ways to give back to their community. “I hope it’s a great reflection of…God’s grace,” Eddy says, “and the goodness of how He’s steered our lives.” Next time you come back to the mountain, pizza and ice cream might be the perfect treat, whether you visit during the day or stay late into the night.

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