RUF Annual Report

LOVING JESUS

NATIONAL COORDINATOR UPDATE

“This is a great time for the Gospel.” Dr. Bryan Chapell repeated that phrase at the beginning of the PCA’s General Assembly this year, and as I reflect on 2021, I can’t think of a more fitting description.

College is always a time of transition. Students grow and change, they meet new friends and experience new ideas, and ultimately, they try to find their own path in the world. But did you know that current college seniors are the only class that has experienced a “normal” year of school where people gathered without health concerns, restrictions, or the word “pandemic” being used daily?

There have been so many different issues and challenging moments facing each of us this year, but each one has left me even more convinced of the importance of RUF’s mission: Reaching students for Christ and equipping them to serve.

In RUF, we teach a fixed theology in an everchanging context. It is inspiring to see how creatively our RUF Ministry Staff navigates those changes as they hold fast to the Truth. We look to Jesus and are reminded that none of the challenges we face have caught our Lord off guard. We step out in confidence, knowing that “...He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

(Colossians 1:17)

This is always true, but maybe now more than ever: it is a great time for the Gospel on the college campus! God is at work on campuses and in the hearts of students around the world through RUF. We are grateful that through your prayers and generous financial support, we are able to continue reaching and equipping students for Christ.

Will W. Huss, Jr. NATIONAL COORDINATOR

It is a great time for the Gospel on the college campus!”

FOR A LIFETIME

RUF has provided a space for me to breathe in the middle of the week. Somewhere I can bring my stress, tiredness, and whatever else I am carrying, and offer it to Jesus with a community of likeminded people. But RUF is unique in that many of its members are also questioning or non-believers, so I have the opportunity to share the joy of Christ, as well. RUF shines a light of hope on an otherwise bleak and secular campus, and it is a place where I have felt, and I hope anyone can feel, at home and loved.”

P. RUF JUNIOR

CAMPUS MINISTRIES 178

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“Over the past year I’ve had the privilege to serve as the RUF Midwest Area Coordinator and transition into the role of Assistant Coordinator of RUF all while the global pandemic unfolded around us. In both roles, it has been clear that God is at work! I’ve seen surprising growth on some campuses. I’ve heard of students coming to faith and committing to the local church. I’ve visited weary staff who imitate their Lord by reaching and equipping students for Christ at cost to themselves. I’ve rejoiced at new ministries launching and new staff arriving, even amid uncertainty. As my vantage point with RUF has shifted, my gratitude for our staff ’s hard work and God’s goodness on display through them has only grown.”

MICHAEL GORDON ASSISTANT COORDINATOR

Evan

As we continue to sink our roots into the cross-cultural vision of Scripture, we are seeing encouraging fruit in nearly every corner of RUF, including: our recruiting, training, and organizational culture. This year, we’ve made strides, not only in the development of shared strategy, but in the cultivation of a shared heart for this work. We are seeing the evidence of the Lord’s grace as He helps us to explore ways to equip our staff to reach and love people from every corner of the college campus. God is at work!”

Russ Whitfield ASSISTANT COORDINATOR OF CROSS-CULTURAL

GRACE H. 3RD YEAR CAMPUS STAFF

After a year of disconnection, students have returned to campus with a hunger for community and celebration. During this season of transition for new students, we are so grateful to be walking alongside them as they ask significant theological questions, challenge their faith in new ways, and dive into Christian community (some for the first time!). At a very busy school within a very busy city, it is our joy at RUF to offer students a place of rest, where they can come to be nourished by the truth and beauty of the Gospel and where their hearts can be challenged to move toward growth and service to those around them.”

MACKENZIE H. 2ND YEAR INTERN

Wood Splitting Saturdays

Winter in the mountains means very cold temperatures and a lot of snow, so one RUF ministry found a unique way to serve their local community where many homes are in rural locations and are primarily heated by fireplaces. Every Saturday, RUF students gather to split firewood for these families. Last year, more than 100 loads of firewood were delivered throughout the year! Will you join us in praying that their work would be fruitful and that their community would see the love of Christ as they serve during their winter busy season?

NYC Service Event

Canceling our NYC-wide RUF Fall Retreat due to tightening school restrictions was disappointing, but it opened up a different opportunity for our students to serve in a meaningful and memorable way! Instead of gathering at a retreat, we spent that Saturday morning serving homeless, elderly, and immigrant communities in the Lower East Side. Before the day started, volunteers gathered to pray and were encouraged to greet everyone with patience, kindness, and a smile, which shines through even from behind a mask! People started lining up for free breakfast and bags of groceries at 6 am, and in just 3 hours, we served 1,020 people! It was a joy to serve our city and to catch a glimpse of our Father’s heart for all of us.

SPRING

SEMESTER

I’ve never been more convinced of the need of RUF on college campuses than after seeing the challenges COVID presented in our students’ lives. The Gospel had a lot to speak into the situation, and by God’s grace, our students responded and grew.”

This summer, RUF Ministry Staff were thrilled to be able to gather in-person for Staff Training for the first time in more than 18 months!

~2,000 Large Groups met during the spring semester

60% of RUF ministries were able to do a majority of ministry in-person, but for many others, “hybrid” was the word. Campuses remained in limbo, so RUF Ministry Staff continued navigating changing university policies and safety guidelines with creativity and flexibility. ~1,900 Students involved in Summer RUF each week across the country

~3,200 Weekly 1-on-1 meetings between students and ministry staff

FALL

In an October 2021 survey, RUF Ministry Staff across the country overwhelmingly described their Fall Conferences as refreshing, encouraging, and so much fun. Students were off their phones and really developed genuine friendships as they fellowshipped together for the first time in months.

SEMESTER

1,000+ Small Group Bible Studies meeting each week across RUF

SUMMER 10,000+ Students connected with the RUF ministry on their campus before the fall semester ~12,000 Students participating in weekly Large Groups during the fall semester

450+

Former RUF students have gone into full-time ministry

75+

Interns have gone on to seminary after the Internship Program in the last 5 years

Former Campus Ministers are currently ordained PCA pastors

In May, we sent 7 RUF students off into ministry after graduation — some into the RUF Internship and others into youth ministry!”

Mary Henley G. 4 TH YEAR CAMPUS STAFF

Matt M. 4 TH YEAR CAMPUS MINISTER

MONDAY

9 AM Breakfast on the Quad 2 PM Freshman Bible Study 8 PM “Equip to Reach” Student Ministry Team Meeting

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

TUESDAY

ALL DAY 1-1 Meetings & Meals 10 AM Girls Small Group Bible Study 8 PM Large Group: In-Person & Livestream Ice Cream Run after Large Group

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

WEDNESDAY 10 AM Praying Together in the Chapel 11 AM-12 PM RUF Drop-in Lunch 3 PM Weekly Volleyball Tournament 9 PM Guys Small Group Bible Study

THURSDAY

8:30 AM Outdoor Morning Prayer Group on the Quad 12 PM Christianity 101 Q&A in the Commons 6 PM Co-ed Bible Study

10 AM Hiking Trip & Picnic Lunch 10 AM Carpool to Church 8 PM Sunday Night Fellowship in the Campus Minister’s back yard I have had the privilege of seeing several students come to faith in Jesus Christ through RUF. Most of those have come through Large Group events, Small Group Bible studies, or 1-on-1 meetings with me. But last semester, one of my seniors led his fraternity brother to Christ. I felt like a proud father. As it says in 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Because of your generosity... Thank you for your support!

T. 7TH YEAR CAMPUS MINISTER YOUR SUPPORT 20 YEARS 60 RUFs celebrated 20+ years in ministry! 19 RUFs celebrated 30+ years in ministry! 30 YEARS

400+ RUF Ministry Staff experienced a week of pastoral care, ministry guidance and fellowship at Staff Training 12 GIVETORUF.ORG TRANSFORM STUDENT LIVES 13

$117,000+ given in matching grants to Ministry Staff in challenging financial situations $105,000 in start-up funds was provided to support new RUF ministries

$71,000+ given in matching grants to support Ministry Staff from diverse backgrounds

RUF was unlike any other community I’ve ever been a part of. This ministry taught me what real love, sacrifice, and commitment look like. My Campus Minister, Staff, and RUF friends graciously walked with me through the ups and downs of my college career and demonstrated that every aspect of life can be used to glorify and worship God. For example, before I joined RUF, I separated work and faith. But RUF taught me that my relationship with the Lord impacts the reason and the way I work. It helped me find a greater purpose by teaching me that my work is a form of worship used to honor God and serve others.”

“I love and believe in RUF. We are living in a post-Christian culture and as I’ve heard many people say, we need to be faithful witnesses. To me, that is what RUF represents. RUF Campus Ministers are teaching college students the truth of the Gospel, so now we have all of these college students on campuses across the country being faithful witnesses in a culture that really needs Jesus. That is why RUF is one of our favorite things we financially support.”

Will you partner with us in this work by making a year-end gift?

Tom Douglas

MEMBER OF THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME & 5-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE

Emily C. RUF ALUMNA