House of Agape serves Rock Hill Community with Food, Faith and Dignity
March 18, 2026
By: Karl Vogl II
On any given day in Rock Hill, a hot meal can mean far more than nourishment — it can mean dignity, hope and a reminder that someone cares.
At Pathways Community Center, House of Agape has quietly become a lifeline for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. What began as a small effort to serve meals out of a garage has grown into a seven-day-a-week ministry dedicated to meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of the community.
House of Agape seeks to follow the biblical call to be “doers of the word, not hearers only,” providing meals and encouragement to neighbors throughout Rock Hill.
In a recent interview, trustee Robyn Large, trustee Beth Simmonds, and volunteer Michelle Pittman reflected on the ministry’s beginnings, its current initiatives and what the future may hold.
According to Large, the inspiration for the ministry began with a simple act of service.
Several members of the ministry previously volunteered with a feeding program in Gastonia, North Carolina, where Associate Pastor Bill Long shared weekly messages while volunteers provided meals and music.
One moment in particular stayed with them.
“One night a young man thanked Pastor Bill over and over for a hot dog,” Large said. “Pastor Bill told him, ‘It’s just a hot dog.’ The young man responded, ‘If it wasn’t for this hot dog, my son wouldn’t have eaten today.’”
For Large, that interaction revealed the deeper impact a simple meal can have. Another defining moment soon followed.
“We were in the driveway of our home washing our motorcycles when a friend stopped by,” Large said. “She told us she felt God wanted us to open a ministry like that in Rock Hill.”
At the time, the idea seemed unexpected, but in the weeks that followed, Large said the path forward became clear.
House of Agape began by serving food one night a week in a garage above the Larges’ home. As the need in the community became more apparent, the ministry expanded to a trailer in a nearby parking lot.
Eventually, what began as a single night of service grew to seven days a week.
Today, the ministry operates out of Pathways Community Center, where expanded space and shared resources have allowed the program to reach even more people.
“We want each person to know they are cared for, they matter, and we would love to introduce them to the ONE from where all hope comes from,” Pittman said.
The move also strengthened collaboration with other ministries serving within the Pathways network, including Lifehouse, Bethel, The Haven and Manna House.
As the ministry has grown, Large and Simmonds say they have also witnessed the harmful impact of misconceptions about the people they serve.
“The homeless or less fortunate are often not seen, or they are treated as if they are less than,” Simmonds said.
Large said many people also assume those experiencing food insecurity must also be homeless or struggling with addiction.
“While that can be true in some cases, it certainly isn’t true for everyone,” Large said. “Food insecurity does not always equate to homelessness or unemployment. Many people who work hard every day still struggle to put food on the table.”
Simmonds said acknowledging that reality can be uncomfortable for some.
“People at Agape are impacted physically by the weather – (hot, cold, or rainy), health issues, or the need for clothing or shelter, but they also may be more impacted by feelings of being lonely, weary, broken-hearted, angry, tired, or hopeless,” Pittman said. “So, food is not the only thing they receive at HOA that may impact their life.”
Pittman emphasized that at House of Agape everyone that enters also receives hope, acceptance, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or even simple smiles and laughter.
We cannot fix their situation, but we can encourage them, present options and resources, listen to them, and most importantly pray with them,” Pittman said.
The group also noted that many people are uncomfortable admitting that they, too, are just a paycheck or two away from being in the same circumstances as some of our clients.
Volunteers play a vital role in the work of House of Agape. According to Simmonds, the culture volunteers create — along with the intentional conversations they have with guests — helps ensure every person who walks through the doors feels welcomed and valued.
“The conversations are just as important as the meals,” she said.
The ministry continues to welcome new volunteers, and both trustees say the program’s impact would not be possible without their dedication.
While there are currently no formal plans for expansion, Large and Simmonds say they remain confident in the ministry’s direction.
They believe God is guiding House of Agape exactly where it needs to be — and that the next steps will become clear in time.
Written by Karl Vogl, II When life throws curveballs and people find themselves at rock bottom, it can be difficult to gather their thoughts and move toward a better situation. For many, community support can mean the difference between giving up and continuing to fight for self-sufficiency. That has rung true for John and Stephanie “Steph,” two recent graduates of the York Technical College Culinary Workforce Program. The Rock Hill couple experienced homelessness, drug addiction and a lack of financial independence before beginning their recovery journey. Today, they credit intentional community support with helping them rebuild their lives. In a recent interview, John and Steph recounted what life was like before receiving help, the organizations that helped propel them forward and the role the community has played in their rehabilitation. One of the most important parts of the process for the couple was remaining together. They did not want to worry about one another while navigating recovery, and through leaning on and supporting each other, they have made significant progress. Their journey toward financial independence began with an unexpected encounter. “Rock Hill PD pulled up on us and instead of taking us to jail like they could have they told us about the culinary program here at Pathways,” the couple said. When the Rock Hill Police Department had every right to arrest the couple, officers instead took them to Keystone, a substance abuse service provider. “We graduated from Keystone and were able to get our medication through Affinity Health Center’s MAT program,” John said. “Once we received our medication we were able to get rid of any negative influences and people.” Through Keystone, John and Steph were able to begin treatment that would place them on a path toward recovery. From there, they connected with doctors at Affinity Health Center, where treatment, testing and medication management continued to support their journey. The next step in the couple’s journey toward self-sufficiency was connecting with Pathways Community Center. There, the couple connected with agencies including Carolina Community Actions and York Technical College. “Chasy from CACH started coming around and helping us with things ... giving us clothes, gift cards, etc.,” Steph said. “Knowing there are people out there that care about people who are usually looked over really helps.” “We as a community are incredibly proud of John & Stephanie. They came to us with interest, but lacked confidence. Now they have worked through treatment, Stephanie has completed her GED, both graduated from the Culinary Workforce Program, and are employed. While they did the work, I am so proud of this community and all of the different agencies who invested in their journey,” said Taylor Thomas, Executive Director of Pathways Community Center. John and Steph quickly took interest in York Technical College’s Culinary Bridge Program at Pathways and began working toward receiving their ServSafe managerial certifications. The class is led by Chef Teshia, a culinary professional currently in the process of opening her own restaurant. “When I first met John and Steph I could tell that they were missing confidence in their work,” Chef Teshia said. “As they progressed towards graduation and even now as employees I can see the transformation of skill and confidence within them.” On April 29, 2026, the couple graduated from the culinary program with their ServSafe managerial certifications and were ready to enter the workforce immediately. Because of the discipline, work ethic and spirit displayed by the couple in class, Chef Teshia hired them immediately to work at TKO at the Legion. While the couple is still waiting to secure housing, they have already made significant progress toward self-sufficiency. For the first time in their lives, they said they have saved more than $1,000 to help continue building stability for themselves. When asked how they have made it this far, the couple consistently emphasized the importance of the community surrounding them. Without the support of organizations such as Welcome Table Church, Catawba Area Coalition for the Homeless, Pathways Community Center, Rock Hill Police Department, Keystone, Affinity Health Center and York Technical College, the pair said they are unsure where they would be today. The power of intentional community is reflected in John and Steph’s story, but theirs is only one of many throughout the Rock Hill area. “When you see people trying to help themselves it makes them more likely to help you,” Steph said. John and Steph are looking forward to eventually moving into a home of their own. John said the process has also helped them create routine and structure in their lives. Together, the couple encourages anyone struggling and needing help to simply start somewhere.
Welcoming Jericha Osborn, Intake & Engagement Manager Pathways Community Center is honored to welcome Jericha Osborn to our team as our new Intake and Engagement Manager. Jericha joins us with a deep calling to serve individuals experiencing homelessness and navigating life transitions. With more than two years of experience in recovery and community-based support, she has walked closely alongside individuals in some of their most challenging seasons, offering not only guidance, but presence, compassion, and unwavering belief in what’s possible. Her work is rooted in meeting people exactly where they are, honoring their dignity, and helping them take meaningful steps toward stability and restoration. Through her role, Jericha will help connect individuals to critical resources such as shelter, treatment, and community support, while also serving as a consistent source of encouragement and accountability along their journey. We are grateful for the compassion, strength, and hope she brings to Pathways and the many lives that will be impacted through her work. Please join us in warmly welcoming Jericha to the Pathways family.
Collective Impact in Action March continued to show what’s possible when a community stays committed to the work. Across the Pathways campus, partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies remained engaged, responding to needs and creating real opportunities for individuals and families to move forward. Throughout the month, 404 services were delivered across our campus. Each one represents more than a moment of support. It reflects coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to showing up for our community in meaningful ways. Access to food and nourishment remained a critical part of that support. In March, 1,756 hot meals were served, alongside 1,546 bags of fresh groceries distributed. These resources continue to meet immediate needs while helping create stability for individuals and families navigating uncertain seasons. March also marked the close of another impactful VITA tax season. By the end of the month, 5,263 tax returns had been completed, serving 2,843 clients across York County. This work helped ensure individuals and families could file with confidence, access the credits they’ve earned, and keep more of what they’ve worked for. The work continues to build. Not always loudly, but consistently. And that consistency is what creates lasting impact.
