NEW HOPE TABERNACLE
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Who We Are
Our Pastor
Before the foundation of the world, Pastor L. Larnelle Robinson was anointed and appointed to be one of God's chosen vessels. Born and raised in the city of Detroit, he is the firstborn child of Deacon Larry T. Robinson and Deaconess Thelma L. Robinson. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was subsequently baptized in the name of Jesus at the age of 7. His spiritual enrichment was provided at New Hope Tabernacle Church of the Apostolic Faith, under the dynamic leadership of the late Suffragan Bishop Rush Lee Lockhart Jr. Not only was Bishop Lockhart the founder of New Hope Tabernacle, but he was also Pastor Robinson's grandfather.
Pastor Robinson met the "Love of His Life" in 1999 and was joined in holy matrimony to Lady Dawn Robinson in December of 2006. They are blessed with two beautiful children, Larry L. Robinson II and Elle Dawn Robinson.
Professionally Pastor Robinson has worked in many industries from retail to manufacturing. Most recently, he was President of UAW Local 892 in Saline, Michigan. The God-Ordained elevation placed Pastor Robinson in a position where he broke down barriers, as he was the first African American to ever hold this position at UAW Local 892, and he was directly responsible for the welfare of over 2,000 members. Currently, Pastor Robinson is an author, investor, mentor, and life coach. His goal is to use his God-given talents to continue to upbuild God’s Kingdom.
There were many individuals who prophesied of the calling that was placed on Pastor Robinson's life, but much like Jonah, he tried to run from the mission that God had commissioned him for. In 2009, following the unctioning of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Robinson made a decision to step out on faith, and into the purpose that God had designed for his life. He began attending Minister's class at New Hope Tabernacle, and soon after preached his first sermon "He Saw the Best in Me." Pastor Robinson faithfully served as a teacher in the Christian Education department, and eventually became the Youth Pastor of New Hope Tabernacle, founding the "Young Christian Soldiers" ministry, where he inspired the youth to be excited and enthusiastic about Christ.
The favor of God is definitely resting upon Pastor Robinson. He is an anointed teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who uses the gifts and abilities that God has blessed him with to inspire, encourage, and empower the people of God.
To God Be ALL The Glory!!!
Our indispensable duty is to lift the fallen, visit the sick, strengthen the weak, encourage the faint-hearted, comfort the feeble-minded, and point the lost to the way of salvation.
Our Story
It was in May 1969, when Elder Rush Lockhart, Jr. started a word for the Lord. This man of vision and dedication founded our beloved New Hope Tabernacle Church.
The first business meeting took place in the home of Elder & Sister Brent Bolds on Ardmore Street and the first service was held in the home of the late Deacon & Sister Louis Williams. After the first meeting, Sister Essie Howard offered the use of her basement as a meeting place. The young church met there for the next six weeks. In July of 1969, a building at 13221 Puritan was purchased and after renovations, a 125 seating capacity church was created.
After five years of faithful service to the Lord, the young church purchased another church building at 20221 Lahser Road, for $145,000. On the 3rd Sunday in February of 1974, the New Hope Tabernacle family motorcaded to their new home on Lahser Road, where there was a 425 seating capacity. Many people thought this was a bad decision for such a small congregation. Some even testified that they wouldn’t make the mortgage payments. Pastor Lockhart’s answer to those disbelievers was, “God has given me the vision and by the Grace of God, we will make it.” Seven years later, after much prayer and hard work, the Lahser Road property was paid off in full. “Praise God!”
On February 15, 1981, our Diocesan Bishop, the late Bishop R.P. Paddock, dedicated the church back to the Lord.
Pastor Lockhart, along with the strong support of his wife, Evangelist Mona Lisa Lockhart, made a difference in many lives. The congregation can affirm that at New Hope they have learned so much about God and themselves, who they are in Christ, where they are headed, how to live a Holy and victorious life and how to be happy and saved in such an ungodly world.
By remembering our humble beginnings on Puritan and taking note of the beautiful sanctuary we now enjoy, this church can truly say as did Samuel, “Hitherto had the Lord helped us.”
New Hope Tabernacle has been on the move since that cold Sunday in February of 1974 when the saints of God motorcaded to our present location. Only the Lord knows what heights we will reach in the coming years.
Our beloved founders, Suffragan Bishop Rush Lockhart, Jr. and his lovely wife Evangelist Mona Lisa Lockhart, have passed on from labor to reward. In June of 2015, L. Larnelle and Dawn Robinson were elected as Pastor and First Lady of New Hope Tabernacle, and they were officially Installed on January 6, 2016.