ABOUT US
Learn about our history, mission and leadership

OUR HISTORY
Ransom Ministries, Inc. was founded by Matt and Tara Armbruster in October of 2010 to meet the immediate need of a fresh warm meal through Ransom Café. Through the years, through the cafes and other projects, the leadership of Ransom Ministries began to see that the services that were being offered to provide for individuals’ basic needs were allowing people to remain in their dependent state rather than helping them get to a place where they could provide life essentials for themselves and their families.
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Knowing that the initial mission of providing food opportunities for the poor had been fulfilled allowed Ransom Ministries to refocus its efforts and establish Ransom ReProgram, a job readiness and life skills training course that was designed to help participants move out of dependency and into fulfilling careers. ReProgram was first offered in the fall of 2015 with the vision of breaking the cycles of crime, poverty, and addiction in which many of those in the program found themselves trapped. It soon became evident that if participants were going to experience true life success, they needed to earn an income while learning job and life skills in the classroom.
To that end, Ransom Ministries began offering on-the-job training in January of 2019 through Ransom Recycling, an electronics recycling business. As a natural extension of the services currently provided, Ransom Ministries established Ransom Staffing in 2021. Acting as a temporary employment agency, Ransom Staffing Services enables participants to continue on the path started through Ransom ReProgram, and to gain the knowledge and skills needed to re-enter the workforce.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Ransom Ministries is to empower those we serve to utilize their God-given gifts and talents in their career and community.
OUR LEADERSHIP

Matt Armbruster
Executive Director

Ralph Littlejohn
Director of Operations

Jim Backes
Volunteer Deputy Director

Michael Sims
Director of ReProgram

Virgil Joiner
Support Services/Case Manager

Donna Happach
Administrator/Case Manager

Patrick Johnson
Recycling Captain

Sandra Dycus
Administrative Assistant

Amanda Hulsey
Recycling Supervsor

Lawrence Franklin
Road to Work Captain

Curtis Carter
Road to Work Co-Captain