the-ramp

Safeguarding at the Ramp

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:08:09 GMT

August 2026

Safeguarding at the Ramp

The Ramp is deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of all those entrusted to its care. Safeguarding at the Ramp outlines our Community Behavioral Standard which all members of Ramp Staff, volunteers, Ramp University students, and Ramp Church members are expected to adhere to. The Safeguarding Reporting Process and Safeguarding Response Process ensure any breach of this standard is identified and addressed according to both Biblical guidelines and all relevant legal requirements.

Community Behavioral Standard

The Community Behavioral Standard provides clear guidelines and policies that aim to create a safe, healthy, and Godly environment for all who participate. This standard outlines unacceptable behavior regarding verbal, physical, emotional, and spiritual interactions as well as sexual harassment.

Verbal Interaction

We want the Ramp community to communicate to one another in a healthy and Godly manner. Communication should be kind, respectful, and truthful.

We do not tolerate verbally abusive behavior of any kind. This includes:

Cursing, mocking, degrading, bullying, or insulting.
Language that discriminates against race, gender, or age.
Coarse joking or sexually inappropriate conversation of any kind.

Physical Interaction

We want everyone within the Ramp community to feel safe and to feel their physical boundaries are respected. In the course of church gatherings and fellowship, appropriate physical interaction includes:

The laying on of hands in prayer.
Holding hands during prayer.
Exchanging hugs, when it is welcomed.

We do not tolerate physically abusive or unwelcomed contact. This includes:

Any physical interaction intended to cause harm such as hitting, kicking, pushing or pulling.
Blocking or impeding someone’s attempt to leave an interaction.
Any physical interaction which intends to cause fear or intimidation.
Touching someone in a personal or private area in any way.
Disregarding a person’s request not to be touched.

Emotional and Spiritual Interaction

We want to host an environment where people can find healthy connections that promote spiritual formation while honoring appropriate relational boundaries. We believe healthy discipleship includes prayerful and Biblical support as well as guidance that empowers people to make their own Godly decisions and to develop their own walk of faith with Jesus Christ.

Emotional abuse, relational boundary violation, and spiritual manipulation are not tolerated. This includes:

Inappropriate emotional connection that extends beyond the nature of the intended relationship.
Manipulative, threatening, intimidating, or coercive behavior.
Humiliation, shaming, gaslighting, or excessive criticism.
Forming spiritually co-dependent relationships, where one person excessively depends on another for decision making, emotional stability, and/or feeling at peace with God.
The use of prophecy to control or dictate a person’s behavior.
Behavior from a leader that minimizes a person’s ability to follow the Lord outside of the relationship with that leader.

Sexual Harassment

We do not tolerate sexual harassment in any way. This includes:

Unwanted sexual advances, propositions, or requests.
Making or threatening retaliation after a negative response to sexual or relational advances, including decisions regarding employment and/or volunteer opportunities.
Sexual or derogatory jokes, comments, innuendo, suggestions, threats or asking inappropriate questions.
Visual conduct that includes staring, leering or making sexual gestures.
Email, voicemail, text messages or other forms of communication that are sexual in nature or contain any form of sexual content.
Displaying sexually suggestive visual content (i.e. inappropriate images on clothing, devices, etc.).
Abusive or malicious conduct that a reasonable person would find hostile or offensive.

Safeguarding Policies for Ramp Staff

One-on-one meetings between Ramp staff and students shall occur within the view of others.

Acceptable meeting locations for one-on-one meetings include:
In public, such as a café or restaurant.
In an office on Ramp property, during regular hours, with an open door. Doors may be closed for meetings between a staff member and student of the same sex as long as there is a window allowing full visibility inside the meeting room.
Unacceptable meeting locations for one-on-one meetings include:
At the staff member’s house. Group meetings at a Ramp Staff member’s house are permitted.
At the student’s house or dorm.
At a Ramp property while alone or outside of regular work hours.

One-on-one meetings between staff and students of the opposite sex may never occur in private or behind a closed door and must be appropriate in nature (e.g. a question about an assignment). They must not discuss intimate or sensitive topics, such as confession of sexual sin.

All Ramp Staff are required to complete the Alabama Department of Human Resources Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training.

Participation of Registered Child Sex Offenders in the Ramp Community

The Ramp is a ministry focused on youth and young adults. All Ramp events typically host minors, including conferences and church services. While we believe the grace of Jesus is available to all, we are unable to host registered child sex offenders or anyone with court ordered restrictions regarding minors at any Ramp events or services.

Safeguarding Reporting Process

Any incident of a legal nature, such as physical or sexual abuse, should be immediately reported to law enforcement. If an incident involves the abuse of a minor, a report should be made with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). A subsequent report should be made to the Ramp’s Safeguarding Team within reasonable time after the report to law enforcement or DHR has been made.

If a Ramp University Student experiences any behavior that is not tolerated by the Ramp Community Behavioral Standard by another Ramp University student, they should report the matter to a member of the Student Life Pastoral Team.

If a Ramp University Student experiences any behavior that is not tolerated by the Ramp Community Behavioral Standard by a Ramp Staff Member, or a member of the Ramp Community, they should report the matter to the Safeguarding Team via the following email safeguarding@theramp.org.

If a concern regards a member of the Safeguarding Team, a report can be made directly to any member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Safeguarding Response Process

The Safeguarding Team consists of the following members.

Human Resources Manager – Kalyn Moore
RU Academic Director – Kimberly Alexander

Reports Concerning Minors

No investigation into the physical or sexual abuse or neglect of a minor will be conducted by the Safeguarding team. Any such allegation will be immediately reported to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), Child Protective Services (CPS) and, if necessary, law enforcement, in accordance with all legal requirements. The Safeguarding Team will then notify the ELT and the Board that a report has been made, and any appropriate actions will be taken.

Reports of a lesser concern, that are non-legal in nature, will be delegated by the Safeguarding Team to the ELT and if necessary, the board. An internal investigation will be conducted to determine necessary next steps, such as dismissal, discipline or additional training.

Reports Concerning Adults

Any allegation concerning the physical or sexual abuse of adults will be reported to law enforcement or to the Alabama DHR Adult Protective Services. The Safeguarding Team will then notify the ELT and the Board that a report has been made, and any appropriate actions will be taken.

Care for Victims of Abuse

The Safeguarding Team will ensure appropriate care is provided for any victim, including access to government services, professional counselling, and/or pastoral care.

State of the Ministry Letter

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:57:33 GMT

September 10, 2026

State of the Ministry Letter

Dear Ramp Family,

First, we want to say thank you.

Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for giving. Thank you for sending your sons and daughters to Ramp University and your young people to our conferences. Thank you for the encouraging messages, checking in, and the patience you have extended to us as we have walked through one of the most difficult seasons in our ministry’s history.

We want to take a moment to share how the Ramp is doing and where we believe God is leading us. Through these past few months, we have seen His faithfulness, and we are moving forward with hope and a renewed commitment to the calling He has entrusted to us.

Over many years of ministry, we have seen how God can bring good out of difficult seasons and use them for His glory. This has become an opportunity to prayerfully evaluate our ministry and identify areas we can strengthen. Through honest conversations, trusted counsel, and much prayer, we are taking meaningful steps to better fulfill the mission of the Ramp.

Where We Are Today

This summer was a beautiful reminder of why the Ramp exists. Across three Summer Ramp conferences in June and July, 1,662 youth and young adults came through our doors hungry for God. We watched young people fill the altars, encounter Jesus, surrender their lives to Him, and make decisions that we believe will shape the course of their lives for eternity. We also baptized 529 people in Williams Creek.

Those are more than numbers to us. They represent sons and daughters. They represent stories. They represent young people publicly declaring that their lives fully belong to Jesus.

This August, we welcomed 149 students to Ramp University for the 2026–2027 school year, marking our 16th incoming class since the school began. Once again, students have moved from across the country and beyond to Hamilton because they are hungry to seek God, discover their individual purpose, be equipped, and ultimately be sent into the world to make Jesus known.

In October, we're celebrating nine years of the Ramp on the ground in the UK. Ramp Church Manchester continues to grow and is home for close to 700 members. Over the next few months, we'll be welcoming incoming college students to the city from over 170 nations, and teams from the Ramp will be hosting outreaches, holding worship and prayer nights, and baptising new believers on campus.

For 28 years, God has continued to change lives through this ministry, and we don’t take that for granted.

What We Have Learned

The Ramp grew from its beginning as a gathering of a few young people into a ministry encompassing 10+ conferences each year, three church campuses, a university, international missions, and much more. In some areas, our systems did not mature at the same pace as the ministry around them. We have and continue to address that not because we expect perfection, but because we believe stewardship requires us to keep learning, growing, and becoming healthier.

We have always valued relational accountability, and we still do. We believe ministers should have trusted people with whom they walk openly. We also recognize that healthy relationships are strengthened by healthy organizational structures. While no policy or procedure can prevent every circumstance, this season has caused us to look carefully at the systems already in place and ask where we can make them even stronger. We have taken that responsibility seriously.

Over the last few months, we have reviewed our policies, expanded training for Ramp Staff, and strengthened safeguards. There is a clear process for staff and students to raise concerns. Our commitment is to care for people well, take concerns seriously, and respond with integrity and appropriate action.

Strengthening Leadership and Financial Stewardship

We also want you to understand clearly how the Ramp is led today. The Ramp is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Rusty Nelson, Harry Saylor, Randy Long, Patty Long, Richard Towe, and Karen Wheaton Towe.

Our founders, Karen Wheaton Towe and Richard Towe, oversee the ministry’s day-to-day operation. Under their leadership is the Executive Leadership Team. This team provides spiritual and ministerial direction, organizational processes, and administrative responsibilities, including the guidance of Ramp Staff, its policies, operations, and finances.

Faithful financial stewardship has always been a top priority for us, and we are building on that by strengthening our financial processes. As an organization, we have made a commitment to become debt-free and remain debt-free as we move toward the Ramp’s vision. We believe God will supply everything we need to fulfill every assignment He has given us. It is our desire to remain utterly dependent on Him.

Where We Go From Here .

Our mission is clear. For nearly three decades, the Ramp has existed to awaken a generation so they can live fully activated in their God-given purpose, influencing their world for His Kingdom. That has not changed. We still believe one moment in the presence of God can change the trajectory of a life. We still believe in training and sending a generation into churches, classrooms, businesses, nations, and every sphere of society carrying the presence and message of Jesus.

After watching hundreds of young people step into Williams Creek this summer to publicly declare their faith and after welcoming another class of students who have set apart this season of their lives to pursue God, we are reminded again, this mission matters .

As we move through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, we are putting our hands to the plow with renewed urgency. We believe the coming of the Lord is near, and there are souls to reach. We want to give everything to reach as many young people as possible and bring them into the presence of God. There is work to do, and we are moving forward with faith and expectation!

For those who have continued to partner financially with the Ramp, we cannot adequately express our gratitude. Your generosity has changed the eternal destiny of young men and women. You are part of every story.

We are deeply grateful for where we have been, humbled by what this season has taught us, and hopeful about where God is taking us. Thank you for believing in this ministry. Thank you for praying when things were difficult. Thank you for celebrating the victories. There is still much work ahead of us, and there are still generations waiting to encounter Jesus.

With love and gratitude,

Ramp Leadership

An Open Letter to the City of Hamilton

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:26:30 GMT

July 17, 2026

An Open Letter to the City of Hamilton

To Our Neighbors in Hamilton,

The leadership of The Ramp would like to communicate our commitment to the City of Hamilton and its people.

Hamilton is our home, and we love this city. We are grateful to live here, worship here, work here, raise families here, and welcome people from across the nation and beyond into this beautiful place. We believe God has great plans to use Hamilton for the good of every citizen. We want to play a part in that plan with humility, integrity, and love. We would like to take a moment to provide some clarity.

Q. Are there any known child-safety concerns involving current or former personnel of the Ramp?

We released an official statement in March of this year that a former employee was terminated and a report was immediately made to the appropriate local authorities. Based on the information known to us, this did not occur on Ramp property or in relation to Ramp University. The Ramp is working openly and transparently with proper authorities, who have requested that we not comment further on this case.

Q. Has Karen Wheaton been involved in a cover up of this or any case?

Karen Wheaton personally shared with the appropriate legal authorities all information known to her and the specific timelines by which she was made aware of that information. She has been requested by law enforcement to make no further comments while they continue their investigation.

Apart from the above case that has been reported, Karen Wheaton and The Ramp are unaware of any case of child abuse by a person while employed by the Ramp. We take child protection very seriously. If anyone is aware of any such occurrence, we urge you in the interest of child protection to make a report with the appropriate authorities. Public rumors and online speculation do not protect children, but responsible reporting can.

Q. What is The Ramp doing to keep children, students, and attendees safe?

The Ramp is deeply committed to child safety and the wellbeing of all those entrusted to our care. Our leadership team is continually reviewing current policies and providing training to ensure child safety and a safe culture for all employees, students, church members, and event attendees.

Q. What is the Ramp and what does it actually do?

The Ramp is a nondenominational Christian ministry based out of Hamilton, Alabama. For more than 25 years, we have ministered with a focus on teaching young people that Jesus is real and that being a Christian is more than just going to church; it is giving your whole life to love and follow Jesus Christ by loving and serving your community. The Ramp has three main ministries in Hamilton:

Ramp Church: Our local church family that meets Sunday mornings
Ramp University: A ministry training school that teaches young people the fundamentals of the Bible and prayer, as well as equipping students for ministry leadership, worship leading, missionary work, and preaching the gospel through the arts.
Ramp Conferences: We host a number of conferences each year where people come to worship, hear the gospel, encounter the presence of God and be strengthened in their faith and calling. Over the years, we have welcomed hundreds of thousands of people to our city and have seen many lives transformed by the power of Jesus.

Q: Does The Ramp charge to attend services?

Ramp Church

The weekly Ramp Church services have always been and will always be free of charge.

Ramp Conferences

The Ramp hosts many youth conferences each year, all of which are free of charge. Donations made during the registration process are optional.

Occasionally, the Ramp hosts an event that includes lunch or other features, which incurs additional expenses in renting tents, chairs, inflatables, tables, and providing food. For these events, a registration fee is requested to cover the cost of those extra expenses. However, we make every reasonable effort to provide a way for those who wish to attend but can not afford the registration fee. We believe money should never be a barrier to those who desire to worship God in fellowship with other believers. Due to our commitment to free registration events, we could not continue hosting conferences without the support of voluntary donations.

Our commitment to Hamilton:

We are grateful for our neighbors, the local churches of Hamilton, our civic leaders and law enforcement, business owners, families, and the many people who make Hamilton such a wonderful and meaningful place to call home. We are committed to walking with integrity, cooperating with proper authorities, protecting people, serving this city well, and continuing the work God has called us to do.

With gratitude and respect,

The Leadership of The Ramp

Statement from Karen Wheaton and Ramp Leadership

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:11:17 GMT

March 17, 2026

Statement from Karen Wheaton and Ramp Leadership

Last week, a brave individual came forward reporting that four years ago they experienced inappropriate sexual contact by a staff member of The Ramp. The staff member involved was Samuel Bentley, and the individual was a minor at the time of the incident.

Upon receiving this report, leadership immediately addressed the matter with Samuel. During that conversation, he admitted the allegation was true. Samuel was immediately terminated from his position, The Ramp's Board of Directors was notified, and the matter was promptly reported to the appropriate authorities.

A few days later, Samuel disclosed a second instance involving another minor, which was also reported to the appropriate authorities. We are readily cooperating with law enforcement as their investigation proceeds.

Based on the information currently known to us, these incidents did not occur on church property or in connection with Ramp University.

As Samuel is someone we platformed to speak and lead, our community is devastated by these revelations.

Our deepest concern is for the victims and their families. As a ministry, we are committed to supporting their ongoing healing in any way possible, and we are working with them to pursue this. To the victims, we want to say clearly: we believe you, we grieve with you, and we stand with you.

Out of respect for those affected and the seriousness of this situation, we have made the decision to cancel this week's scheduled events, including College Days and Spring Ramp. In their place, we are holding spaces for mourning, prayer, and reflection.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18

We are committed to hold our team members to the highest standards and are unwavering in our commitment to protect minors and ensure a safe environment for those entrusted to our care. The safety and wellbeing of those in our community, especially minors, remains our chief priority. We do not tolerate abuse of any kind and are committed to transparency, accountability, and care for those affected.

At this time, the victims have requested to remain anonymous. We kindly ask our community to respect their privacy and honor their request not to be publicly identified.

Media & inquiries: media@theramp.org