Parents, welcome to the RUF at New Mexico State website. Please know that we are here for you as you send your kids off to college. We've found that there are questions parents typically ask about RUF and so we have tried briefly to answer those here. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you would like to discuss further.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is RUF?
RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America and has a presence on over 140 campus nationwide. For more than 40 years ordained RUF campus ministers have been reaching students for Christ and equipping students to serve. Though receiving oversight from the PCA, individual RUF chapters are non-denominational in terms of their fellowship. Students from all denominations and backgrounds 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 Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Therefore, RUF's theology is in full agreement with orthodox Protestantism. You can read more about this here.
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 is a ministry of the Church. We are more than happy to contact your student and give them a personal invitation to RUF. One small request that we make of you in this area 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 that we assume that this ministry is for everyone. RUF has a "front door" to welcome all who come but also has a "back door" through which students can freely move on without any pressure or guilt. Therefore, if necessary 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 cannot. And if they need any help connecting to any of the other ministries, we would be more than happy to help in any way we could.
7. I would like to give financially to the ministry of RUF. How do I do that?
Thanks for asking! We're always building a large network of people who are eager to see the Lord's work furthered here at NMSU. Please click here.
1. What is RUF?
RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America and has a presence on over 140 campus nationwide. For more than 40 years ordained RUF campus ministers have been reaching students for Christ and equipping students to serve. Though receiving oversight from the PCA, individual RUF chapters are non-denominational in terms of their fellowship. Students from all denominations and backgrounds 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 Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Therefore, RUF's theology is in full agreement with orthodox Protestantism. You can read more about this here.
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 is 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 participate in 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 scripture as well as make a few close friends in the process. To see the small groups that are being offered this semester, click here.
- 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 ongoing 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 is committed to forming and transforming. That means that RUF desires to see a true body of Christians formed at New Mexico State and to see that body in turn transform the surrounding community. Living out a true sense of community is built into every activity that we do. Therefore, RUF is committed to serving the local community of both the campus and Las Cruces at large.
- 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. Fall Conference in October, Winter Retreat in February, and Summer Conference in May are all great opportunities to get involved with RUF's ministry.
RUF is a ministry of the Church. We are more than happy to contact your student and give them a personal invitation to RUF. One small request that we make of you in this area 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 that we assume that this ministry is for everyone. RUF has a "front door" to welcome all who come but also has a "back door" through which students can freely move on without any pressure or guilt. Therefore, if necessary 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 cannot. And if they need any help connecting to any of the other ministries, we would be more than happy to help in any way we could.
7. I would like to give financially to the ministry of RUF. How do I do that?
Thanks for asking! We're always building a large network of people who are eager to see the Lord's work furthered here at NMSU. Please click here.