🎙️ Stories of the HopeGuest: Rob Harlamert

Title: Lead Pastor
Organization: Elevate Christian Church
Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Why We Keep Showing Up — Rob Harlamert on Generosity, Consistency, and Mission of Hope

In this episode of Stories of the Hope, host Benson Gregory is joined by Rob Harlamert, Lead Pastor of Elevate Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, to talk about what it looks like for a church to consistently show up for a school it has no direct connection to, and why that matters.

Rob shares how Elevate partnered with Mission of Hope to serve a small Appalachian school more than two hours away, participating in back-to-school distributions, Christmas deliveries, emergency needs, and annual shoe-and-sock drives. What began as one opportunity among many quickly became a defining rhythm for the church.

The conversation explores the unique challenge pastors face when countless organizations ask for partnership, and how churches must discern where their people can make the greatest impact. Rob explains why Mission of Hope stood out: the infrastructure was already in place, the school wanted the partnership, and the focus remained on relationships rather than one-off events.

Rob also reflects on how generosity shapes a young church’s identity, pushing back against the idea that churches should “hold back” in their early years. Instead, he argues that shared generosity unifies a congregation and creates lasting spiritual fruit.

One of the most sobering moments comes when Rob recounts a Christmas delivery where a young student declined a gift, fearing it would be sold for drugs. The moment reinforced for him why consistent presence matters, and why he is committed to returning year after year.

This episode is an honest look at ministry without romanticism: real kids, real need, real joy, and the conviction that if God is already at work somewhere, the right response is to join in.

• Why Elevate Church chose to partner with Mission of Hope

• How churches evaluate partnership opportunities

• Generosity as a core church value

• The difference between transactional service and relational ministry

• What consistent presence communicates to students and staff

• Why “plug-and-play” ministry enables deeper impact

“If you’re unsure what God wants you to do, go where He’s already working.”

“When the whole church rallies around one thing, you accomplish something bigger than yourself.”

“God was there before we ever got there.”

• Mission of Hope: https://missionofhope.org
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