A MISSION HUB
Camping World property in Marion sold to Baptists on Mission organization
Over the years, Tom Johnson Camping Center and later Camping World of Marion hosted events like the N.C. State Bluegrass Festival (which featured some of the biggest names in bluegrass music), Relay for Life, numerous car shows and gatherings of RV enthusiasts.
Camping World of Marion closed its doors in April 2025 when the Camping World corporate headquarters decided to consolidate the local RV and camper dealership with other locations. Baptists on Mission bought the former Camping World facility in Marion.
A Christian mission organization has purchased the former Camping World dealership property in Marion, once Tom Johnson's campground.
This organization has the goal of using the McDowell County property to help western North Carolina families and community still rebuilding from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Baptists on Mission, under the North Carolina Baptist Men LLC, bought the property off Resistoflex Road on June 26 for $5.6 million, according to property records.
Baptists on Mission's executive committee and board approved the purchase. "We also had a very generous donor who wants to remain anonymous who helped to make this purchase possible," reads a news release from Baptists on Mission.
Started in 1977, Baptists on Mission is a nonprofit Christian missions organization that is an auxiliary to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
Richard Brunson, the director of Baptists on Mission, which has its offices in Cary, said his organization will use the complex to provide a staging area for the continued rebuilding of western North Carolina from the impact of Hurricane Helene. He said Baptists on Mission is primarily a volunteer organization and there will be a small staff working at the former RV dealership.
The property is about 80 acres and has approximately 90,000 square feet in buildings. There is already a kitchen and rooms that are available to sleep volunteers. There is warehouse space and RV camping spots for more than 100 campers, according to a news release from Baptists on Mission.
"We know that it was God who provided this facility for us, and God has trusted us to use it for his glory by involving churches and Christians in meeting human needs in Jesus's name," reads the news release.
Brunson said Baptists on Mission wants to be a good neighbor to McDowell County and the rest of western North Carolina. The place will provide housing for volunteers who are helping rebuild homes, pack food for the hungry and distribute needed supplies.
The organization's first priority for the property will be Helene rebuilding, Brunson said. "We have lots of homes to rebuild and many new home constructions that are needed. This site can house and feed approximately 80 volunteers who will work on homes in McDowell and surrounding counties."
This facility will also be a hub for managing rebuild projects, storing and distributing building materials to all of Baptists on Mission's rebuild sites in western North Carolina. Because of the warehouse space, the organization will be able to receive donated building materials as well as purchase building material in bulk at a considerable discount. This site will distribute materials that will be sent to its rebuild sites at East Flat Rock, Burnsville, Spruce Pine and Boone.
"We are at a good location to serve all of western North Carolina," Brunson said. "It will be a hub for western North Carolina."
Helene rebuilding is the organization's most important priority for this property for the next few years. Baptists on Mission will need lots of volunteers to come in from other parts of the state and other states. The organization will also need lots of local volunteers to help Baptists on Mission manage and run this site effectively, according to the news release.
Baptists on Mission has three mobile dental units and two mobile health screening units to provide dental care and health screening services to folks who don't have access to these services. One of each will be located at the former Camping World site.
There are other uses for the large property. "The size of this facility will allow us to also be a storage site for disaster relief equipment so that we can store and maintain disaster relief units and equipment," Brunson said.
"As we and our board look at our other Mission Centers we can see additional ways to utilize this facility for God's glory," reads the news release. "For example, the Charity Center has involved many churches from that area in projects that are sponsored by that mission center. Some of the things that are done at Charity (Center) include senior food boxes packing and distribution, a food pantry, wheelchair ramp construction, and other activities.
"Our Shelby Mission Center has developed an agricultural farm and a mobile food market trailer. This mobile food market is used by churches to provide food to people in underserved communities. All of our mission centers have been involved in meeting needs related to substandard housing."
The new Marion site has the facilities and the space to become an outreach to all of western North Carolina. "We need churches and Christians to come alongside to help us meet needs in Jesus's name," reads the news release.
Camping World of Marion closed its doors in April 2025 when the Camping World corporate headquarters decided to consolidate the local RV and camper dealership with other locations.
The business was started by Tom Johnson, who moved to Marion in 1960. He worked as a teacher and principal at Pleasant Gardens High School until he decided to start a business of selling and repairing campers and recreational vehicles. His fledgling operation started with a few campers in the front yard at his home in the Pleasant Gardens community. Over time, Johnson built a reputation with his camper and RV operation, which was known as Tom Johnson Camping Center. His business grew, and it moved to larger locations but stayed in the Pleasant Gardens community, according to previous stories by The McDowell News.
Tom Johnson Camping Center and later Camping World of Marion hosted events like the N.C. State Bluegrass Festival (which featured some of the biggest names in bluegrass music), Relay for Life, numerous classic car shows and gatherings of RV enthusiasts, according to previous stories by The McDowell News.
