Parents
Welcome to the RUF at The University of Arizona website. Our staff would like to tell you that we are here for you as you go through this time of transition with your student. The ministry of RUF has been at The University of Arizona for just under a decade ministering to students in these most challenging times of their lives. Over the years, there are questions that parents typically ask concerning RUF and we thought we would dedicate a page especially to those wonderful questions. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any other questions not included on our page.Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is RUF? RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. 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 denominations are welcome.
2. What does "Reformed" mean? In the simplest terms, the word "Reformed" simply refers to the theology and confessions that arose out of the "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 open to all who are looking to consider the truth claims of Jesus Christ.
4. What does RUF do? RUF's ministry is composed of at least five different kinds of activities.
- RUF Large Group is our "shop front" activity and usually the easiest way for students to "plug into" the ministry. The evening 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.
- In any given semester, students can participate in anywhere from 2-3 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.
- RUF's commitment to reaching and equipping students means that one on one meetings with students is a vital part of our ministry. The staff of RUF meets individually with students. 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.
- RUF desires to see a true body of Christians formed at Arizona. Living out a true sense of community is built into every activity that we do. Therefore, RUF is committed to serving in our community. At the beginning of each semester, students take leadership over all kinds of opportunties to get involved and serve the poor in the Tucson area. This is a great way to involve students in opportunities to discover a passion for the hurting in their own communities.
- Finally, at least a few times during the year, RUF is committed to getting out of town and gathering with other Christians for student conferences. Winter Conference in January and Summer Conference in May are two great opportunities to get involved with RUF's ministry.
6. But what if my student doesn't like RUF? RUF is not so self-centered that we 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 Christian Fellowship, and the Navigators. All three of these ministries are wonderful and your student would benefit from them.
