The year was 2006, and a former NFL player-turned-pastor was standing in a rented warehouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, preaching to a handful of people. The space was spare—concrete floors, flickering overhead lights—but the energy was electric. That gathering marked the unofficial birth of what would become one of the fastest-growing churches in America. The man leading it, Stephen Kendrick, had no formal theological training beyond a Bible college degree. He’d never pastored a church before. Yet, within a decade, he’d built an institution that redefined modern worship, blending contemporary culture with unapologetic faith. The question of who started Elevation Church isn’t just about one person’s ambition; it’s about the collision of sports, music, and evangelism in an era hungry for something real. Kendrick’s path to founding Elevation Church was anything but conventional. Before the pulpit, he was a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, a team he joined straight out of high school at just 16 years old. Football was his first ministry—his platform to share his burgeoning faith with teammates and coaches. But the NFL’s physical toll and the industry’s moral ambiguities left him disillusioned. By his mid-20s, he’d walked away from the game, sold his house, and moved into a tiny apartment with his wife, Sonia. It was there, in the quiet of that transition, that the seeds of Elevation Church were planted. Kendrick didn’t set out to start a megachurch. He simply wanted to create a space where people—especially those disconnected from traditional church—could encounter God without pretension. The early days of Elevation Church were marked by improvisation. Services were held in borrowed spaces, often with little more than a guitar, a microphone, and Kendrick’s raw, conversational preaching style. His sermons weren’t polished lectures; they were stories laced with humor, vulnerability, and a no-nonsense approach to Scripture. The music, led by his wife Sonia, was stripped-down and contemporary, far removed from the polished choruses of many megachurches at the time. The message was clear: who started Elevation Church didn’t matter as much as the mission—reaching people where they were, not where the church assumed they should be. What set Elevation apart from the outset was its refusal to conform to the mold of traditional Christianity. Kendrick rejected the idea that faith required a certain dress code, a specific denomination, or even a church building. The first services were held in a warehouse because it was affordable and accessible. The name Elevation itself was chosen not for its theological depth but for its simplicity—a nod to the idea of lifting people up, spiritually and practically. By 2010, the church had outgrown its temporary home and moved into a former auto dealership, a move that symbolized its growing influence. But the core ethos remained: a church that felt more like a movement than an institution.

Where It All Began

The story of who started Elevation Church begins in the late 1990s, when Stephen Kendrick was still a rising star in the NFL. His faith was already central to his life, but it wasn’t until he left professional football that he felt a calling to ministry. The transition wasn’t seamless. After retiring from the Panthers in 1999, Kendrick enrolled at Liberty University, where he studied communications and pastoral ministry. It was there that he met Sonia, a worship leader whose musical talent would become a cornerstone of Elevation’s identity. Their shared vision—faith that felt relevant, worship that connected, and community that mattered—laid the groundwork for what was to come. The first Elevation service wasn’t planned as a launch. It was a response to a need. In 2006, Kendrick and Sonia began hosting small gatherings in their home, inviting friends and strangers alike. The response was immediate and unexpected. People showed up—not just for the preaching, but for the authenticity. Kendrick’s sermons were unfiltered, his stories relatable, and his humor disarming. Sonia’s worship leading was raw and emotional, stripping away the performative elements of corporate worship. The church’s early years were defined by this duality: a leader who spoke like a friend and a worship team that sounded like a band. The question of who started Elevation Church was less about Kendrick’s credentials and more about the hunger of the people who showed up.

The Early Signs

By 2007, the gatherings had outgrown the Kendricks’ living room. They moved to a rented warehouse in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood, a gritty, artsy district that mirrored the church’s unpolished ethos. The warehouse wasn’t just a venue; it was a statement. Elevation Church wasn’t trying to be impressive. It was trying to be real. The services were simple: a few songs, a message, and an opportunity for people to connect over coffee afterward. What made it stand out was the absence of church jargon. Kendrick spoke about faith in terms of everyday struggles—money, relationships, doubt—without sugarcoating the answers. The early signs of Elevation’s potential were subtle but unmistakable. Word spread through social media, a platform the church embraced early. Kendrick’s sermons were posted online, and within months, people from across the country were tuning in. The church’s growth wasn’t just numerical; it was cultural. Elevation became known for its Elevation Worship music, which quickly gained traction in Christian circles. Albums like Here I Am and Old Church Choir weren’t just worship music—they were anthems for a generation disillusioned with traditional church. The question of who started Elevation Church was evolving. It wasn’t just about Kendrick anymore; it was about the movement he’d inadvertently sparked.

The Turning Point

The turning point for Elevation Church came in 2011, when the church purchased a 22-acre campus in Charlotte’s South Park district. The move wasn’t just about space; it was a declaration. Elevation was no longer a gathering in a warehouse. It was a church with a permanent home, a stage, and a vision for the future. The campus included a 2,500-seat auditorium, a children’s ministry building, and a café—a far cry from the humble beginnings. But the real shift was ideological. Elevation began to expand its reach beyond Sunday services, launching initiatives like Elevation Community Groups, which met in homes and coffee shops, and Elevation City, a nonprofit focused on urban revitalization. The turning point wasn’t just about growth; it was about influence. Elevation Church’s model—blending contemporary worship, relevant teaching, and a focus on community—became a blueprint for modern megachurches. Kendrick’s leadership style, which emphasized transparency and accessibility, resonated in an era where institutional religion was losing trust. The church’s music, now signed to a major label, reached millions. Elevation Worship’s albums topped Christian charts, and songs like Amazing Love became staples in churches worldwide. The question of who started Elevation Church was no longer just historical; it was a study in how faith could adapt to a changing world.

“People don’t want a performance. They want a connection. They want to know that the person leading them has been where they are.” —Stephen Kendrick, 2012

The Build-Up, Year by Year

Period	What Happened / What Changed
2006–2008	Elevation Church begins as home gatherings, moves to a warehouse. Sonia Kendrick’s worship team gains local attention. First online sermons posted.
2009–2011	Church outgrows warehouse; acquires former auto dealership. Elevation Worship releases debut album, Here I Am. Social media engagement spikes.
2012–2014	Purchase of 22-acre campus in South Park. Launch of Elevation City nonprofit. First international partnerships in Canada and the UK.
2015–Present	Expansion into multiple campuses across the U.S. Elevation Worship signs with Capitol Christian Music Group. Global reach through streaming and licensing.

Lessons From the Journey

• Authenticity over polish: Elevation’s early rejection of traditional church aesthetics proved that raw, relatable faith could attract seekers.
• Community as the foundation: The shift from a warehouse to a campus wasn’t about grandeur—it was about creating spaces where people could belong.
• Music as a bridge: Elevation Worship’s contemporary sound made faith accessible to those who’d never step into a church.
• Adaptability as survival: The church’s willingness to evolve—from home gatherings to a global brand—kept it relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Where Things Stand Today

Elevation Church is now a multi-campus movement with locations across the U.S., including Charlotte, Raleigh, and Orlando. The original South Park campus remains its hub, hosting thousands weekly. Elevation Worship, once a grassroots project, is a global phenomenon, with music licensed in churches worldwide and collaborations with artists like Chris Tomlin. The Kendricks’ influence extends beyond the pulpit; they’ve authored books, launched podcasts, and partnered with organizations like World Vision. Yet, the question of who started Elevation Church still lingers—not as a historical footnote, but as a reminder of what’s possible when faith meets culture. The church’s growth hasn’t come without criticism. Some traditionalists argue that Elevation’s contemporary approach dilutes doctrinal depth, while others praise its ability to make Christianity feel relevant. Kendrick, however, remains steadfast in his mission: to create a church that feels like home. The movement’s future is uncertain, but its impact is undeniable. Elevation Church didn’t just change Charlotte—it redefined what a modern church could be.

Conclusion

The story of Elevation Church is more than a narrative about one man’s ambition. It’s a testament to the power of authenticity in an era of skepticism. Stephen Kendrick didn’t set out to start a megachurch; he wanted to create a space where people could encounter God without pretense. What began in a warehouse became a global movement not because of grand designs, but because of a simple truth: people crave connection. The question of who started Elevation Church is less important than the question of what it represents—a church that grew not despite its imperfections, but because of them. As Elevation continues to expand, its legacy is already secure. It proved that faith doesn’t have to be confined to stained glass and hymnals. It can be found in coffee shops, in modern worship, in stories that resonate. The movement’s journey offers lessons not just for churches, but for any institution seeking to remain relevant. The answer to who started Elevation Church is clear, but the real story is in what it became—and what it could still become.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Who exactly is the founder of Elevation Church?

A: Elevation Church was founded by Stephen Kendrick, a former NFL player and pastor, along with his wife Sonia, who leads the worship team. Kendrick’s background in football and his unfiltered preaching style were key to the church’s early identity.

Q: What was the original name or vision for Elevation Church?

A: The church was initially called Elevation simply because the name conveyed the idea of lifting people up—spiritually, emotionally, and practically. There was no deeper theological meaning behind it at the time.

Q: How did Elevation Church’s music become so popular?

A: Elevation Worship’s music gained traction through its contemporary sound, which blended modern production with traditional worship themes. The Kendricks’ early embrace of social media and online streaming helped spread their music globally.

Q: Is Elevation Church affiliated with any denomination?

A: Elevation Church is non-denominational, meaning it doesn’t align with a specific Christian tradition like Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian. Kendrick has described the church as “Bible-based but not denominationally bound.”

Q: What was the significance of the warehouse and auto dealership locations?

A: The warehouse and auto dealership were chosen for their affordability and accessibility. They reflected Elevation’s early ethos of simplicity and authenticity, rejecting the idea that a church needed a grand building to be effective.

Q: How did Elevation Church handle criticism from traditional churches?

A: Elevation has faced criticism for its contemporary approach, particularly its music and casual style. Kendrick has responded by emphasizing that the church’s focus is on reaching people where they are, not conforming to expectations.

Q: What is Elevation City, and how does it relate to the church?

A: Elevation City is a nonprofit arm of Elevation Church focused on urban revitalization, poverty alleviation, and community development. It was launched in 2012 as part of the church’s broader mission to impact society beyond Sunday services.

Q: Are there plans for Elevation Church to expand internationally?

A: While Elevation Church’s primary focus remains the U.S., it has established partnerships in Canada and the UK. The Kendricks have expressed interest in global expansion, though no concrete plans have been announced.