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.
Collective Impact in Action July reflected the continued strength of collaboration across the Pathways campus. Through the work of our on-site agencies, partners, and volunteers, 366 services were provided, connecting individuals with resources and support designed to address their needs while helping them move toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. Among individuals who identified health and wellness as a goal, 100% made progress toward enhancing their well-being through access to healthcare, counseling, peer support, and other wellness resources. We also saw 76% of those working toward greater financial independence make progress toward that goal, helping strengthen the foundation needed for long-term stability. These outcomes represent people taking meaningful steps forward and the collective effort surrounding them along the way. As we continue bringing services together in one location, we remain grateful for every agency, partner, volunteer, and supporter helping create pathways toward healthier, more stable futures.
Written by Karl Vogl ll When someone is experiencing homelessness, finding a place to stay can be an important first step. For many men, getting back on their feet requires more than a bed. It requires addressing the challenges that led them there and having people willing to walk alongside them as they work toward something different. That is the work being done at The Haven Men’s Shelter in Rock Hill. Opened in 2006, The Haven is a transitional housing program for men who are ready to leave homelessness behind and work toward a more stable future. The program serves men 18 and older who are able to work full-time, maintain sobriety and demonstrate a genuine desire to make a change in their lives. The Haven is considered a “high-barrier” shelter because residents are expected to take an active role in their own progress. They must maintain sobriety, follow house rules, participate in services and take responsibility for the goals they set for themselves. “We are a transitional housing program,” said Nancy Foster, executive director of The Haven’s Men’s Shelter. “We have a 90 to 120 day program here at the Haven that when men come in, every 30 days, they're evaluated on progress.” During the first 30 days, staff work with each man to identify the challenges and barriers standing in the way of stability. Those barriers can look different for everyone. “It could be a background,” Foster said. “Do we need to go through homeless court? Is it something else that we just need to tackle together?” For others, the barrier may be something they have not even realized is affecting their ability to move forward. The Haven connects residents with medical, dental and vision care to help identify issues that could be affecting their ability to work and maintain stability. From there, residents can begin focusing on employment, income, budgeting, counseling and eventually housing. But Foster said the support men receive at The Haven goes beyond the services they provide. “When they come to the Haven, they are not just clients. They're our family,” she said. For some men, that may be an unfamiliar experience. “Some of them have never had a family,” Foster said. “And some of them don't even know how to deal with what is a true family.” Through compassion, respect and dignity, The Haven works to create an environment where men can begin to see themselves differently. Prayer and Bible study are also part of the program, but Foster said the focus ultimately remains on meeting each person's needs. One former resident's story shows what that support can make possible. The man came to The Haven following a divorce and was unable to see his children because of legal issues. Through the Haven's support, he participated in family counseling and parenting classes while working through his legal challenges. Eventually, his charges were dropped and he was able to reunite with his family. As a veteran, he was also connected with veterans assistance programs that helped his family secure a home of their own in York. “We were able to go celebrate that with them,” Foster said. “And still keep up with them, and they're doing extremely well.” Stories like his are made possible in part because of the community partnerships surrounding The Haven. “I always say it takes a village,” Foster said. Every man who enters the program has different needs, and The Haven often relies on community partners to help fill the gaps. That can mean connecting someone with legal assistance, transportation, employment opportunities, work clothing or housing resources. “Everybody coming through our door has a different situation, so not everybody's the same,” Foster said. That collaborative approach has contributed to a 94% success rate at The Haven, according to Foster. She believes one of the most important parts of that success is preparing men before they transition into permanent housing. “If we did not walk alongside them, get in the trenches with them and help figure them out, they would cycle back through the system,” she said. The Haven's work also does not end when a man leaves the shelter. Staff continue to follow graduates for up to a year, providing support when challenges arise and helping them maintain the progress they have made. “Our work doesn't stop here at the Haven when they leave the doors, 90 to 120 days,” Foster said. “We follow them for a year afterward to make sure if they get in the weeds, we're right there still supporting them.” Looking ahead, The Haven hopes to expand its transitional housing opportunities for men, addressing what Foster sees as a significant gap in the community. She also hopes more people will take the time to understand the work happening at The Haven, not just support it financially. For Foster, being part of the Haven community means knowing who the organization serves, how it serves them and how others can contribute their time, talents and resources. “Come in and see what the Haven does, who we serve, and how we serve them,” Foster said. The Haven's work is not simply about providing shelter. It is about helping men address the barriers in front of them, prepare for what comes next and build a life they can sustain after they leave. For the men who walk through its doors, that support can be the beginning of something new.
Collective Impact in Action June demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together with a shared commitment to serving others. Across the Pathways campus, our partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies continued working side by side to connect individuals and families with the resources they need to build stronger futures. This month, 100% of those served achieved their goal of obtaining essential documentation , removing critical barriers to accessing employment, housing, healthcare, and other vital services. We also saw 100% enhance their health and wellness through engagement with healthcare providers, counselors, peer support, and wellness programming. Additionally, three individuals successfully transitioned into independent living , marking an important step toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Every milestone reflects the power of collaboration and the dedication of the organizations and individuals who make Pathways possible. Together, we remain committed to creating opportunities that empower our neighbors to move forward with dignity, hope, and lasting self-sufficiency.
