Guest: Bob Lofsted – Mission of Hope Volunteer, Knoxville TN
Host: Benson Gregory

This episode features volunteer driver and warehouse team member Bob Lofsted, who shares how retirement didn’t slow him down — it redirected him. A former educator with a love for hands-on work, Bob now spends his time driving Mission of Hope’s 26-foot box truck deep into eastern Kentucky, delivering supplies, supporting Mountain Ministry Centers, and encouraging frontline workers who serve families year-round.

He explains how he first discovered Mission of Hope, why the work clicked with him immediately, and how volunteering has become more fulfilling than his decades-long career in public education. Bob also tells the remarkable story of a woman in Jackson, Kentucky, who began a ministry simply by calling the 800-number on a water bottle and watching God grow it into something much larger.

Throughout the conversation, Bob keeps coming back to the real mission: sharing Christ, supporting those who serve their communities daily, and meeting physical needs so spiritual needs can be heard.

• How Bob found Mission of Hope after retiring

• Moving from warehouse volunteer to delivery driver

• How the Knoxville warehouse team operates

• The importance of meeting physical needs to open spiritual doors

• Mountain Ministry Centers and what daily ministry looks like in rural Appalachia

• The story of a Jackson, KY woman whose ministry started with a single phone call

• Partnerships with churches, community centers, and God’s Warehouse

• What deliveries typically include (clothing, food, water, household items, mattresses)

• Why volunteering creates purpose, community, and spiritual fulfillment

• Opportunities for people of any ability level to serve

• Events like the golf tournament and clay shoot that need extra help

• “There are no small parts. Every task carries weight when the goal is sharing Christ.”

• “If what we’re doing doesn’t represent Christ, then it’s just another benefits organization — and that’s not why we’re here.”

• “Retirement isn’t about quitting work. It’s about refocusing your work on what matters.”

• “She looked at a bottle of water, saw an 800-number, made one call, and God built a ministry from it.”

If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or find your place in Mission of Hope’s ministry:
👉 missionofhope.org
Volunteers are needed for warehouse help, deliveries, special events, Christmas programs, and more. Valerie in the Mission of Hope office can help get you placed.

• Host & Producer: Benson Gregory

• Co-Producer: Becky Mills

Thanks for listening and sharing this episode of Stories of the Hope.

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