Our History

 In 2019, Chasty King began working with The Olive Branch Ministry, a harm reduction agency based in Gaston County, North Carolina. Her role took her directly into the heart of the community, meeting people where they were — in hotels, abandoned houses, on the streets, and in tent communities hidden deep in the woods. Many of the individuals she encountered were facing homelessness, addiction, or both.

Behind the scenes, her close friend April Payne was praying and creating anointed prayer cloths for Chasty to distribute as the Holy Spirit led. In May 2020, while reaching out to a group living in a wooded area of Gastonia, Chasty handed out a few of the cloths and took a photo of the encampment to send to April. The image stirred something in April’s heart, and she asked to go with Chasty next time. Their mutual friend Jenny also asked to join.

With permission from the residents, the three women made their first joint visit that Saturday...and something clicked. A rhythm was born. Week after week, they returned with hot meals, nonperishable food, backpacks, socks, hygiene kits, water, and supplies like Narcan. April began assembling care bags filled with personal essentials and encouragement.

One day, while walking through the woods and seeing the overwhelming amount of trash, April heard the Lord speak clearly: “Clean it up.” Her husband and children joined the effort, and each week they helped haul trash out of the woods. As physical needs were met, spiritual seeds were planted. The gospel was shared. Relationships were formed. Hope began to take root.

As word spread, people began donating toward food and supplies. A need for structure emerged. With a shared vision from the Lord and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the women launched a nonprofit. The Calling was born.

Over time, Jenny transitioned to focus on her passion for ministering to survivors of human trafficking. Years later, April also felt released to resign. Now, The Calling is in a season of rebuilding and restructuring — refining its foundation from the inside out while holding fast to the original promise spoken in prayer: "The Calling still stands."

Though our beginning was simple, our vision has grown. The Calling exists to establish recovery-centered communities where individuals can rebuild their lives, experience healing, and discover their God-given purpose. Our long-term goal is to develop five integrated branches that meet core needs: Grateful Living (housing), Grateful Finds (thrift and resource center), Grateful Farms (food and sustainability), Grateful Wheels (transportation and vehicle access), and Grateful Services (job training and employment).

These branches will one day work together to form what we call Grateful and Gritty Cities: places of refuge that cultivate dignity, restoration, and long-term transformation through the power of Jesus Christ.