Ransom Ministries - Funding Package

RANSOM RETREAT CENTER FUNDING INITIATIVE

ALL FOR THE ONE

JEREMY’S STORY

My name is Jeremy Towns. I serve as the president of Radical Athlete And Student Oasis Ministry, afectionately known as RANSOM. As you may know, my life was radically transformed by this organization during my student-athlete days at Samford University. RANSOM helped me to obtain hope and confidence. It allowed me to experience excellence like I had never seen before. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and is responsible for much of the success I have enjoyed in my life,

including making it to the NFL. I constantly use tools and skills learned at RANSOM as a sports medicine fellow and an emergency medicine attending physician. I have no doubt that RANSOM will also be responsible for much of the success that I will experience down the road, including one day starting a family.

RANSOM is currently changing the life trajectories of thousands of students across the Southeast, as it did my own. We have campuses at Samford University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of South Alabama, Campbell University, and University of Alabama. RANSOM students have also started heavily serving at Next Level Sports Camps and are now impacting over 1,000 kids every summer. RANSOM has grown leaps and bounds compared to when I first started attending as a freshman at Samford University.

In order to inject hope, excellence, and confidence into the lives of college students and other young people, we need to be able to spend more time in face-to-face interactions. To make this possible, RANSOM is in dire need of possessing its own facilities. We have already embarked down this path by purchasing a 98 acre plot of land with a 10 acre lake in Dora, Alabama. This is only 25 minutes from our UAB campus. We have made it this far only by the grace of God inspiring hard work and efort. Now, we specifically are looking to build a multipurpose, 10,000 square-foot facility on the property that will house a gym, recreational center, ofces, creative studios, showers, restrooms, classrooms, and other instructional spaces. We hope that this facility will be state of the art and allow us to bring the hope of Christ to young people in innovative ways. We now are depending on the generosity of friends, families, and even strangers to help us raise the necessary funds to turn this dream into a reality of HOPE for young people across Birmingham and beyond.

Sincerely,

RANSOM is now on 5 campuses and is in the developmental stages on many other campuses. Many RANSOM alumni are now sharing their faith and God’s love to others via full-time ministry as well as many other professions including professional sports, business, nursing, medicine, and more.

Jeremy Towns, MD President

“RANSOM is a group that holds a unique place in my heart. I've always believed in God and saw His works in my life and in the lives of others. For whatever reason, I would never openly praise God in the midst of my peers. RANSOM opened me up. Being amongst my peers, who were like-minded and sold out for God, really helped me "blossom" in my faith, ultimately not fearing ridicule and detraction from others... Being Unashamed of the Gospel!"

- Mike Pierce, Baltimore Ravens

who we are

Our Organization

RANSOM is a diverse, student-led and family-like group of athletes and students spreading the message of Christ throughout each campus and community. Our activities include weekly worship meetings, innovative discipleship, family hangouts, and community service.

The ministry was started in 2011 on the campus of Samford University by a core group of football players and a few other students who had been attending the “Football Bible Study.” Leaders from the football Bible study believed that female athletes and students could benefit from a similar Bible study that was RADICAL AND REAL. Those leaders allowed a female athlete from the Samford Soccer team to sit in on a few of their Bible studies to see if she thought it could be used to impact female athletes on campus. Eventually, a female Bible study was established. This female Bible study met separately from the male Bible study every week. However, the last Monday of the month was set aside for a “Co-ed Meeting.”This would allow the two Bible studies to come together and invite more people. With the Bible studies collaborating for kingdom expansion, it made sense that both of the Bible studies needed a new name beyond “Football Bible Study.” The bible studies grew even more and began to welcome students and athletes. Hence, RANSOM was born! Radical Athlete And Student Oasis Ministry.

OUR COLLEGE Chapters

• Samford University

• University of Alabama at Birmingham

• University of South Alabama

• Campbell University

• University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa

To learn more about Ransom, scan the QR code to watch a short video.

Our Vision

Our short-term vision is for every student on campus to know Jesus and understand his or her identity in Christ, while our long-term vision is to have the opportunity to influence and shape the landscape of Christianity on the college campus, urban settings, and beyond, aiming to create leaders who will positively

“Whatever is going on around the world right now one thing for sure is WE NEED JESUS.”

k Williams,

Los Angeles Chargers

Where god is leading

With RANSOM, our conferences give participants a chance to learn excellence and develop leadership skills. The Heavy Hitters conference serves as our winter leadership conference for our current and prospective student leaders. The philosophy behind this conference is birthed from the belief that the best leaders are produced in house from our current programming. All of the presenters are former leaders who hope to continue to make an impact on current students on current campuses.

At the conclusion of each school year, we gather our student leaders and host a summer leadership conference here in Birmingham, AL. The purpose of this conference is to help students reflect on the program throughout the year, as well as an opportunity to brief executive leadership and alumni on prospective student leaders that have expressed interest in becoming more involved with campus eforts.

Conferences retreats

Retreats allow mentors to spend extended periods of time with youth to build confidence. Central to our program is the role of mentors who are passionate about nurturing the potential within each student. Our mentors serve as positive role models, ofering guidance, support, and a listening ear. They help students build self-confidence, set goals, and make responsible choices, all of which are crucial in preventing gun violence.

During alumni retreats, all active alumni gather with the intention to brainstorm for the advancement of the ministry. There is also much time devoted to discussing our financial landscape; spending review, foreseen purchases, and fundraising eforts and opportunities.

Our goal with RANSOM athletics is to provide innovative ways to inject Hope into the lives of young people. Next Level Sports Camps is a non-profit organization committed to making a lasting impact on our city by preventing gun violence through mentoring students via sports camps. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every young person possesses untapped potential, and with the right guidance and opportunities, they can become future leaders who contribute positively to our community.

We recognize that sports have the unique ability to engage, inspire, and unite young people from diverse backgrounds. Our sports camps provide a safe and inclusive environment where students can learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership, and conflict resolution, all while staying physically active.

outcome sports

RANSOM serves to help the first-generation college students matriculate from freshman year, through graduation, and into young adulthood. Our goal is to see students lives transformed as they live lives characterized by the Hope that has been instilled inside of them by Jesus Christ. A RANSOM leader is the following:

- Excellent Communicator

- Problem Solver

- Community Impactor

- Academic Achiever

Our commitment to success is not just a matter of belief; it’s a matter of measurement. We collect and analyze data to assess the impact of our programs continually. By tracking the academic, social, and emotional progress of our students, we can refine our approach and demonstrate tangible results to our supporters and stakeholders.

OUR PARTNERS

our building

STORY OF ONE WHO WE ARE WHERE GOD IS LEADING

Stewardship Through Partnership

RANSOM is working with Third Lens, a nonprofit organization which manages the design-build process in order to ensure a successful building project for ministries. Christopher Architects and Interiors, a Third Lens partner, has volunteered and donated their architectural design services for this capital campaign, greatly lowering design + planning costs, valued at $10,000.

In 2021, RANSOM acquired a 98 acre property with a 10 acre lake in Dora, AL (Walker County). This county has no building restrictions and the site has preexisting utility access. It is located only 24 minutes from UAB’s campus.

This property will serve as the future site of the RANSOM Retreat Center and will function as the headquarters for the majority of our programming for our college students. After the completion of the initial phases of structural dwellings, we will then move into developing areas of the property for Next Level Sports Camps which are led by Jeremy Towns and other collegiate and pro colleagues throughout the year. RANSOM alumni and students serve within these camps each year, and have brought the e f ciency and impact of the camp to the Next Level!

The multipurpose building will include:

- Ofce Space

- Showers, Restrooms, and Laundry Area

- Creative Space (Photo/Videography/Recording Studio)

- Basketball Gym

- Reception and Dining Area for 400+ people

- General Fitness Area

- Commercial kitchen, Pantry, and Storage space

- Classrooms

- Laundry area

- Social Area

“We are thankful to be in a position to support RANSOM as they guide and nurture future Christian leaders for today’s many challenges”

- Richar d Mcbe e

Managing

Partner REM, LLC

MSCU

Board of Directors

our vision

PHASE 1 Initial Building Construction Minimum Operational Levels

PHASE 2 Construction of Sports Complexes Fully Operational

our PARTNERS

“RANSOM is an exciting, growing ministry! God is moving among these young adults. I am so pleased to partner with Ransom in their mission of students and athletes spreading the good news of Christ!”

- Ji m Foy t President and Managing Partner EBS Strategies, LLC

“RANSOM Summer Leadership Conference shifted my mindset to realize that I had more in me. More to give, more room to grow, more work to be done, more opportunities to change the world. And the only person stopping me is me.”

- Trey Jemison

Memphis Grizzlies

our board

Andrew Westmoreland President Emeritus, Samford University

Eric Harris Senior Pastor, Agape Worship Ministries

Randy Pittman

Former Vice President, University Advancement Samford University

Richard E. Smith Attorney, Partner Christian & Small LLP

Join Us!

To meet our Goal of $10 Million by July 2025

to start construction by January 2026

Invest in future generations

Our ministry relies on the philanthropic support of individuals, businesses and charitable foundations. We invite you to join us as we invest in the growth and success of RANSOM and continue to impact the lives of college students in the name of Jesus. We are seeking gifts of $10 to $10 million to support our life changing work. Cash gifts or in-kind donations including equipment and supplies are greatly appreciated.

For more information on how your gift can have an impact on our ministry,

please contact Jeremy Towns at Ransomglobal2011@gmail.com