Podcast Show Notes – Interview with Emmette Thompson

Host: Benson Gregory
Guest: Emmette Thompson

In this heartfelt episode, Benson Gregory sits down with longtime friend and servant leader Emmette Thompson, Executive Director Emeritus of Mission of Hope. Emmette shares his inspiring journey from a corporate career to leading a life of ministry, his personal battle with addiction, and his unwavering passion for helping the people of Appalachia.

With nearly 30 years of service, Mission of Hope has grown from a small Christmas outreach to a year-round ministryproviding food, clothing, education, and scholarships to children and families in rural Appalachia. Emmette reflects on the power of faith, the importance of servant leadership, and the transformative impact of investing in others.

• How Mission of Hope started and grew into a vital community support organization
• The challenges of rural poverty and why many people don’t recognize its severity
• The power of connection in nonprofit work and why collaboration matters
• Emmette’s personal testimony of overcoming addiction and how it shaped his calling
• The importance of mentorship, faith, and passing the baton in leadership transitions
• Real-life success stories from the Mission of Hope Scholarship Program

🗣️ “You don't really know what somebody is going through until you follow them home.” – Benson Gregory
🗣️ “Every day is a victory. If you’re struggling, start with the first day, then the first week, then the first year.” – Emmette Thompson
🗣️ “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to find the people already doing the work and support them.” – Emmette Thompson

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