Community Spotlight: Minister Will Groom
"Keep God First"

Some neighbors you just click with. The kind where the first conversation feels like you've known each other for years. That's exactly how it went when I met my new neighbor Will Groom — or as many know him, Minister Will Groom.

Will's the kind of guy who greets you with a genuine smile, carries himself with quiet confidence, and looks like he's in better shape than most people half his age. He's warm, he's engaging, and he's the type of neighbor who reminds you why community matters.

But here's the thing about Will — if he hadn't told me his story, I never would have believed it.

December 14, 1993: A Night That Should Have Changed Everything

On December 14, 1993, at 10:30 PM, Will was outside when he was approached by a random assailant. What happened next is the kind of story you hear about on the news and think, "Nobody walks away from that."

Will was shot over 24 times.

Let that sink in. Not once. Not twice. Over 24 times.

And he survived.

When Will's girlfriend shared this with me, I was stunned for a minute to let it sink in. Because looking at him today — healthy, strong, full of life — you would never, ever guess that he endured something so traumatic. There's no visible scar that tells the story. His foot did get paralyzed. And it's amazing because he walks around just fine. No outward sign of the battle he fought. Just a man standing before you, alive and well, as if the laws of probability decided to make an exception.

But Will will tell you it wasn't luck. It wasn't chance. And it definitely wasn't a coincidence.

The Man Behind the Miracle

What strikes you most about Will isn't just what he survived — it's who he became because of it. He didn't let that night define him in bitterness or fear. Instead, he emerged with a message, a calling, and a purpose that he's carried ever since.

Today, Minister Will Groom lives by a simple, powerful motto:

"Keep God first."

That's it. Three words. But when you know what he's been through, those three words carry the weight of a lifetime. They aren't just a catchphrase — they're a testimony. A philosophy forged in the darkest moment imaginable and refined through decades of living proof that faith, resilience, and divine purpose can carry you through what should have been the end.

Why Will's Story Matters to Shelby

In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, Will Groom is a reminder that the people living right next door have stories that can stop you in your tracks. He's a reminder that survival isn't just about making it through — it's about what you do after.

Will's presence in our community is a gift. He's proof that no matter what you've been through, you can still show up for your neighbors. You can still smile. You can still share wisdom. You can still keep God first.

A Neighbor Worth Knowing

If you ever get the chance to meet Minister Will Groom, take it. Ask him about his faith. Ask him about his journey. And most importantly, listen to what he has to say — because this is a man who has earned every word.

In Shelby, NC, we're surrounded by incredible people building incredible businesses. But every now and then, we meet someone who reminds us that the most important thing we can build isn't a brand or a website — it's a life grounded in something bigger than ourselves.

Keep God first.

That's Will's message. And after hearing his story, it really coins the message that much further.