How is RUF Different?
"Christianity did not come in order to develop the heroic virtues in the individual, but rather to remove self-centeredness and establish love." - Søren Kierkegaard
We Are Reformed
"Reformed" means that we hold to an historic and Protestant understanding of Christianity distinctive of the Protestant Reformation. This means we believe that through the bible alone we can know that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, all to the glory of God alone. Therefore, RUF is committed to the bible as God's authoritative word written for the purpose of reaching and equipping people to follow him through faith in Jesus. This conviction guides both what we do and why we do it.
Dedicated to the University Student
Given the unique character of the university campus, we believe the church is responsible to go to the campus by sending ordained campus ministers to establish permanent campus fellowships. RUF believes the university is a place where students learn, grow, and reach others in the midst of the campus, not in spite of it. The campus, then, is not reduced to a convenient pretext to do evangelism; rather, it is the place where God has providentially placed students to prepare for legitimate vocations after graduation.
Centered on Fellowship
RUF believes that community is a necessary ingredient of the Christian faith and essential for effective campus ministry. It is within the context of campus fellowship that students from different perspectives and backgrounds can explore the claims of Jesus, experience meaningful relationships, and mature in the faith. However, the campus fellowship is not intended to be a substitute for the church. Rather, RUF is an expression of the church ministering on campus in order to reach and equip students for a lifetime of service to Christ in the church, near and far.