RUF is the campus ministry of the PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) which is open to students of all backgrounds. We exist for the convinced and the unconvinced and our purpose is to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve.
Over the years, there are questions that parents typically ask, so we thought we would include them in a page dedicated especially to them, with information about how we as a ministry can be a part of your student’s life while at the University of Utah. RUF is here to serve you and your student. If you have any questions not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact Bryce Hales, our campus minister.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is RUF?
RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America and is active on over 110 campuses. For more than 25 years RUF campus ministers have been reaching students for Christ and equipping students to serve. Though receiving oversight from the PCA, RUF chapters are non-denominational in terms of their fellowship. Students from all walks of life are welcome.
2. What does “Reformed” mean?
In the simplest terms, the word “Reformed” simply refers to the system of belief that arose out of the Protestant Reformation. Therefore, RUF’s theology is in full agreement with orthodox Protestantism.
3. Is RUF a Bible study only for Christians?
Absolutely not. RUF is neither a group for Christians, nor is it a group for non-Christians; RUF is open to all who are curious about Jesus Christ.
4. What does RUF do?
RUF is just getting started at the U. As our group grows, the opportunities to be involved in RUF will expand. Take a look at our events page to see what’s currently going on. In the long run, we envision RUF’s ministry being composed of at least five different kinds of activities:
- Large Group: RUF Large Group is our “shop front” activity and usually the easiest way for students to “plug into” the ministry. The meeting consists of a time of singing and worship ending with a message from Scripture, all in a non-threatening atmosphere. This is usually the place where your student can find out what all is going on within the ministry of RUF.
- Small Groups: In any given semester, students participate in several small group Bible studies over all kinds of topics. These small group studies are very informal in design and give students the chance to look deeper into a topic as well as make a few friends in the process. To see the small groups that are being offered this semester, click here.
- One-on-One: RUF’s commitment to reaching and equipping students means that one-on-one meetings with students is a vital part of our ministry. This time is usually spent getting to know each other personally, investing in on-going discipleship, dealing with personal issues with which the student struggles, and addressing any crisis counseling that might arise during the students’ time at school.
- Service: RUF desires to see a true body of Christians formed at the U. Living out a true sense of community is built into every activity that we do. Therefore, RUF is committed to serving in our community.
- Conferences: Occasionally we will head out of town together, usually in conjunction with an RUF chapter from another campus. Additionally, RUF’s Summer Conference in May is a great opportunity to get involved with RUF’s ministry.
5. Can you contact my student?
We are more than happy to contact your student and give them a personal invitation to RUF. One request that we make of you is that you not ask us to contact your student if you are not willing for us to tell them that YOU asked us to call them. We have found over the years that the anonymous “cold call” can be counter-productive.
6. But what if my student doesn’t like RUF?
RUF is not so self-centered to assume that this ministry is for everyone. Therefore, we are more than happy to suggest that your student contact any of the other evangelical ministries on campus to see if perhaps they can be a help to your student in a way that we can not. Feel free to contact Campus Crusade for Christ, InterVarsity, the Salt Company, etc.
7. I would like to give financially to the ministry of RUF. How?
RUF functions totally upon the gifts and contributions of friends of the ministry. Contributions to RUF are, of course, tax deductible and receipted with every donation. Click here to find out more about how you can participate in this ministry to the U.
8. Is RUF only for students at the University of Utah?
No. RUF is open to all college students or college-aged people in the Salt Lake Valley. Students from Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, and anywhere else are all invited to be a part of RUF.
