Royal Priesthood Biker Church Opens its Doors To Everyone

Shelby, NC (WNN) - This year, when temperatures dropped unexpectedly on November 1, 2025, Pastor Johnny Norris and his wife, Tracey, opened the doors to the Chosen Generation House of Hope, a winter shelter they operate. It was opened early for the 13 people who needed warmth.  The shelter opened earlier this year than last year due to the cold temperatures.  They were meant to open on November 24th, 2025.

The Christ Covenant Ministries building in Shelby, NC, where the Shelter is located. November 20th,2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

"We didn't want people to be displaced," Tracey Norris said.

The Royal Priesthood Biker Church, located at 634 S. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC 28150, operates the only coed winter shelter in Shelby at Christ Covenant Ministries, serving men, women, and children from November through March. Now in its second year of operation, the shelter can accommodate up to 20 people and currently houses about 15 residents.

Some of the beds at the shelter located at Christ Covenant Church. November 19th,2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

Community Support Grows

The shelter, which has been open since November 2024, has gained significant community support this year. Many organizations have reached out, offering to donate meals or provide funding for meals. They include Circle M Ranch, Callie Gold Realty, Christ Covenant Ministries, and Calvary Baptist Church in Gastonia.

Faith, Hope, and Love Church has supplied meals every Monday for several years, a partnership that continues to support the shelter's operations.

"We've been blessed with a lot of different sponsors out in the community," Tracey Norris said. "Today was actually the only day we've had to cook since we've been open."

The Boiling Springs Police Department, specifically Officer Anthony Fields, has also provided regular food donations to support the shelter's operations.

Daily Operations

The shelter operates on a daily schedule. Check-in begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner. Residents board a bus around 6 p.m. to travel to the shelter location at Christ Covenant Ministries, where services are held before settling in for the night.

Tracey Norris feeding the residents at the Royal Priesthood Biker Church. November 19th,2025

Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

The church also provides meals on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round, maintaining their commitment to feeding the community even outside winter shelter months.

Success Stories and Placement

Last year, the shelter successfully placed approximately 15 of its 20 residents in permanent housing or recovery placement. Seven children stayed at the shelter with their parents during the winter months.

"We were able to successfully not only keep them warm and dry and fed over the winter, we were actually able to assist them throughout the year," Tracey Norris said.

Unique Services

Unlike other emergency shelters in the area, Royal Priesthood Biker Church accepts men, women, and children together. A women's shelter operates separately through another organization, but the church's facility remains the only coed emergency winter shelter in Shelby.

The shelter cannot accommodate registered sex offenders, but works with local agencies, including the Department of Social Services and law enforcement, to help place individuals in need.

"Once we hit max capacity, these people have nowhere to go unless we send them to, like, Asheville or out of the county," Tracey Norris said.

Holiday Plans

The Royal Priesthood Biker Church will host a Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day for residents and community members. Anyone without family plans or those wishing to volunteer are welcome to attend.

The church also offers regular services at 2 p.m. on Sundays, Bible study at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, and "The Way Recovery" program at 6 p.m. on Fridays for individuals struggling with addiction, depression, or anxiety.

Members of the congregation gather together in prayer during their Wednesday night service. November 19th,2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

Shopping for Children

The organization plans to shop for 41 children on Saturday, November 22nd, at the Shelby Walmart located at 705 E Dixon Blvd. This is part of their Christmas outreach program, which is funded entirely through community donations.

"Everything that pours in we pour back out in the community," Tracey Norris said.

Funding Challenges

The shelter operates entirely on community donations and receives no government funding. Staff members are all volunteers; no one is paid to run the shelter.

"We get paid with love," Tracy Norris said. "When you come in, they're like, 'I missed you yesterday. Where were you at?' And they want the hugs and the love."

Members of the congregation at the Wednesday night bible study. November 19th,2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

As Tracey mentioned in our interview, the Royal Priesthood Biker Church is a small church; they need community help to continue their work. 

Future Goals

The couple would like to operate the shelter year-round, but current financial and space constraints limit their ability to do so. Rules from the fire marshal code state that, due to the size of the building, the shelter can only accommodate 20 people at a time. "If we had that magical donor, you know, we need a bigger building," Tracey Norris said. "Nothing is impossible if God's in it."

More of the beds at the shelter located at Christ Covenant Ministries in Shelby, NC. November 20th,2025

Mason Beam (WNN)

The shelter welcomes visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church building. No appointment is necessary.

For more information or to make a donation, contact the shelter at (704) 284-8889, Pastor Johnny Norris at (704) 349-6049, or Tracey Norris at (704) 349-2376. The organization has a website and a Facebook page, where weekly needs are listed.