What is RUF?

RUF

Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Though we exist on campus through the PCA, students from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs are involved in RUF here at Washington and Lee University. We welcome those from any and every tradition or position to come and consider the claims of Jesus for their own lives. We are here for the "convinced" and the "unconvinced." It is our aim to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve Him.



Reformed

The word "reformed" identifies our perspective--we operate from a Biblical worldview that is rooted in the rich tradition of the Protestant Reformation. In other words, salvation is found in Christ alone, embraced by faith alone, as He is presented in the Bible alone.  Contrary to the idea that "truth" is either relative or entirely unknowable, the Gospel is a very clear and specific truth claim. Jesus taught that we must believe that He is the Son of God to whom we must cling as Lord and Savior. Our ministry is set up in such a way that students are given thoughtful opportunities to wrestle with these truths of God's Word, and to see that His Gospel addresses every need and every area of life. Through teaching and discussion, we hope that many will come to know personally the One who is truth, Jesus Christ.

 
Unlike all other world religions, Christianity is not primarily a moral system. Christianity does not insist that we present to God a good record so that He will bless our life. Rather, Jesus Christ came to give broken people His own record so that He could be our life. The Gospel does not make you a good person, it makes you a new person. Obedience springs from new life in Him.

University

Jesus said, "I am making all things new!" RUF was born out of a desire not to abandon the college campus, nor to be lost in it.  Thus, RUF's desire is to be a ministry for our campus, not for ourselves. This hope is founded in the belief that the gospel can change any person and any place. Our leading question is not "what kind of ministry can we be?" but rather "what kind of university can this be?" Our hope is that the power and beauty of Christ will transform university people and institutions.
 

Fellowship

There is no such thing as a "Lone Ranger" Christian.  The main metaphor that the New Testament uses to describe Christian connectivity is that of a body, made up of course of various parts.  Fellowship is what it loooks when the various parts of this body come together. 

RUF believes that fellowship is a primary tool for blessing and growth for the Christian.  In this post-modern world, many folks are looking for the type of fellowship and community that Christians experience.  Yet, the fellowship that RUF offers is not an end to itself.  Our goal is not to perpetuate our own forms of fellowship, but to point students to the fellowship of the Church - the Body of Christ.  RUF exists to grow, support and encourage the Church.  Our fellowship at RUF is just a small aspect of that greater fellowship found in the Church.