March's Collective Impact Report is now available!

Collective Impact in Action January was a powerful reminder of what can happen when compassion meets action. Across the Pathways campus, community partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies came together to spread holiday cheer while continuing to provide critical support and services. From meals and outreach efforts to moments of connection and care, the season was filled with hope, generosity, and meaningful impact. Throughout the month, individuals received the resources they needed to move forward—whether through workforce support, housing assistance, health and recovery services, or simply the encouragement of a community that showed up for them. Every act of kindness, every shared meal, and every collaborative effort reflected the heart of Pathways. Together, we closed the year by lifting spirits, opening doors, and strengthening the pathways forward for our neighbors and our community.

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.