History of Grace By Example | Grace By Example

The History of the Nonprofit Corporation

Hurricane Helene – A Defining Moment

On Friday, September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina with catastrophic wind and rain.

Over the course of three days, parts of Yancey County received up to 38 inches of rain. The National Weather Service reported that Busick, in Yancey County, recorded 30.78 inches on Saturday alone.

Flooding was widespread, with water moving in some areas at speeds over 80 mph, and wind gusts exceeding 100 mph.

Search and Rescue

Search and rescue operations lasted six days, followed by recovery efforts. As of April 2, 2025, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) confirmed 107 deaths, including 11 in Yancey County.

Damage Assessment

According to the NC Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM):

Estimated total damage: $59.6 billion
Housing-related damage: $15.4 billion
73,000 homes damaged, many beyond repair
36 counties severely impacted

“The destruction in these small communities was apocalyptic.”

📹 Watch the Aftermath

(Click to view videos)

A Life-Changing Moment

On October 5, 2025, I traveled with a friend to drop off supplies at Shoal Baptist Church, serving as a distribution center in the Burnsville area (See video here). That day, I was deeply wrestling with the idea of authentic biblical stewardship — then something happened that changed me forever.

Through that experience, I encountered what I now understand as authentic Christian stewardship. With God’s help, support from friends, and the +55 Men's Bible Study Group (affectionately called the Knuckleheads) at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, the Grace In Action Initiative was born.

Phase I – Emergency Response

With guidance from local Volunteer Fire Departments, our immediate focus was:

Supplying clothing, carbon monoxide monitors, chainsaws, and generators
Delivering items to distribution centers and local churches
Supporting Camp Miller (a tent camp) in Pensacola and Eastern Tennessee

Special Thanks To:

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC
Hahn-Mason Air Systems
All individual donors who gave online to purchase emergency supplies
A generous donor who gifted a generator to the South Toe Volunteer Fire Department

Phase II – Infrastructure Support

Next, Volunteer Fire Departments requested 20-foot and 40-foot storage containers (Conex boxes). These were delivered to:

South Toe Volunteer Fire Department
Camp Miller
Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department
Egypt Ramsey Town Volunteer Fire Department

Special Thanks To:

CAM–FUL Industries
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC

Phase III – The Rebuild Begins

With Phase III underway, we transitioned from the Grace In Action Initiative to a formal nonprofit to better support grant applications, in-kind donations, and long-term rebuilding efforts.