Who We Are
Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is a campus ministry of the
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), with chapters on over 120 campuses. We are just getting started at Purdue
University. Though we are Presbyterian
in affiliation, we welcome students from all walks of life, both the
“convinced” and the “unconvinced.”
Regardless of your understanding of God or Christianity, you are welcome
in RUF. None of us has it all
together, but we are people deeply committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
believing it has the power to change any person, any community, any culture.
Why Reformed?
Being “reformed” simply means that we hold to an historic and Protestant understanding of Christianity. Though many today would claim that truth is relative or unknowable, we believe that Christianity stands upon very clear and specific truth claims. Jesus Himself said that we must believe who He claimed to be and hold to His teachings. Our ministry works to give students opportunities to wrestle with the truth of God’s Word in the Bible and see that the Gospel speaks to every area of life. The Gospel does not simply make you a better person, it makes you a new person. We hope that many will come to know the One who is truth -- Jesus Christ -- and find new life in Him.
Why University?
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 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.
Why 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, 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.