Ramp Church Builds a Refuge for Those Who Need It Most

As fall rides off into the sunset and we begin to ring in the holiday season, the first wave of winter temperatures invades Central Virginia, including Greater Lynchburg. This calls attention to the need for the city to take measures to care for its homeless population, who need shelter as they are vulnerable to the elements. Spearheading one effort in this regard is the RAMP Church, a Christian house of worship that plans to open “The Refuge on Memorial,” a shelter initiative that aims to provide much-needed support and care for those who are vulnerable to the elements this winter and beyond.

Ramp Church, led by Bishop S.Y. Younger, was initially set up in 2005 by a group of Liberty students, and the ministry has since expanded over twenty years to include 40 sites worldwide. The ministry’s sites include locations in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil, a full-time home for survivors of human trafficking in Buffalo, NY, and a Christian school and entrepreneurial training center in Pakistan. The shelter initiative opening on Memorial Dr is in the church’s old location. This was made possible due to the church’s acquisition of the Old Thomas Road property, where they hold regular weekly worship services.

The Refuge on Memorial was planned to open as early as December 2nd. Still, necessary inspections that need to be conducted, including the shelter’s sprinkler and water backflow systems, will push the shelter’s opening date closer to mid-December. First, the shelter will be able to house a few people as soon as early December. Still, eventually, they plan on housing as many as 50 men, women, and children at night once they become fully operational. In addition, the shelter will also help during the daytime hours as well, providing room for up to 120 individuals to stay warm and safe from hazardous weather conditions. In addition, area providers such as Miriam’s House, Horizon’s Behavioral Health, and Johnson Health Center will all be notified when the shelter opens, with the possibility of sending their patients to the shelter for added care.

To help fulfill this dream of revolutionizing the city’s approach to caring for the homeless and addressing this problem in a supportive way, Ramp Church International is in significant need of volunteers to help work for the shelter. Due to the nature of the situation, the ministry cannot afford to hire paid staff and hopes that the passion of those in the community to care for those who are less fortunate can genuinely make an impact in this situation. Volunteers will work one of three shifts, be trained on-site by church staff, and will be helping the ministry care for the homeless throughout the day.

Additionally, Ramp Church graciously accepts financial donations from any businesses or other groups who may be interested in partnering with them on the Refuge on Memorial shelter. Elder Claude J. Gardner, who also serves as the Executive Church Administrator at the Ramp Church International, said in a recent interview that the ministry has been “extremely blessed, having just kicked off a $100,000 fundraising campaign in November that has since raised $70,000 of that goal, and has tremendously helped with our sprinkler and backflow system”. The group is also enthusiastically open to receiving help from businesses who can offer in-kind services to the ministry, such as Mullins Media, a group that designed the shelter’s website for free, and local legal firms who have stepped in to help. Presently, the shelter will receive tremendous help from the work of contractors who can help with flooring and wall repairs in the Refuge on Memorial building.

On behalf of Ramp Church International, Bishop S.Y Younger wants to extend warm thanks to those who have already partnered with the ministry and welcomes those who will be partnering with the church over the future of this project.

Elder Gardner reminds us, “This is not a Ramp church problem, but a city of Lynchburg problem, for those who are experiencing homelessness,” and reiterated Bishop Gardner’s call for the community to partner with the church as they seek to revolutionize the city by solving this issue, being the hands and feet of hope for those who cannot help themselves.

For more on how you can help support the Ramp Church with the Refuge shelter initiative, either through volunteering or by meeting their needs in other areas, please visit their website today!