SOS Ministries began in late 1993, through the vision of J.J. Ramirez, ex-drug dealer and former addict, to combat the escalating gang tension prevalent in Brazos Valley at the time. During 1993, the area experienced over fifty gang-related shootings, two of which resulted in death. J.J. Ramirez decided to take action by returning to the same drug and gang-infested streets he grew up on to share the message of Hope that freed him from years of addiction. Later in 1993, J.J. organized a tent revival that was planned for three nights but continued all week due to the dramatic response of drug addicts and gang members. Illegal drugs, weapons, and gang paraphernalia were surrendered on the altar each night. The number of gang related shootings in our community plummeted by a staggering 88% the following year.

Since then, the vision and influence of SOS Ministries has greatly expanded, and what began as an effort to primarily reach gang members has grown into a ministry that reaches every area of our city and every member of the family, from child to grandparent. J.J.'s vision of a 24/7 ministry center meeting tangible needs within our community took a big first step in 2009 with the purchase of 20 acres of land and the building of a 21,000-square-foot Ministry Center near Downtown Bryan.

SOS Ministries is 100% owned and operated in the Brazos Valley for our community. We are located in the heart of the neighborhoods we serve, which allows us to physically be there for people in our community, literally meeting them where they are. With the help of 300 volunteers and 75 partnerships, we invest in the lives of hundreds of families through high-impact discipleship programs, vocational training, life skills education, and neighborhood outreaches.