For Parents

Parents, We Are Here for You!

Welcome to the RUF Tyler web site. RUF is here to help you by ministering to your children during this transitional time in their lives. Over the years, there are questions that parents typically ask that we thought we would include in a page dedicated especially for you. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any other questions not included here. You may email Jeff Jordan at jjordan@ruf.org or call him at (903)570-0528.

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.

A. RUF Large Group is our most visible activity and usually the easiest way for students to get involved with 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 more details about the ministry of RUF and how they can become more involved.

B. In any given semester, students participate in small group Bible studies and Fellowship Groups. These groups are very informal in design and give students the chance to look deeper into a topic as well as build deep friendships with other students.

C. 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 close to 25-30 students a week! 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.

D. At least a few times during the year, RUF is committed to getting out of town and gathering with other Christians for student conferences.

E. If you read all of the above, you might think we're serious all the time. Not true. We try to have times throughout the semester when we hang out, go out to eat, play games, take road trips, etc. This is a part of college - making friends, talking, and enjoying each other. This also helps us with outreach, as we invite friends to do things with us.

5. Can you contact my student?

RUF is a ministry of the Church. We are more than happy to contact your student and give him or her 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 mention that YOU asked us to call. 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. 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.

7. I would like to give financially to the ministry of RUF. How do I do that?

RUF functions totally upon the gifts and contributions of friends of the ministry. Contributions to RUF are, of course, tax deductible and receipted with every donation. Just make out your donation check to "Reformed University Fellowship" and put "Jeff Jordan- Tyler, TX" in the memo line. You can mail your donation to the following address:

RUF

1700 North Brown Road Suite 104

Lawrenceville, GA 30043

When the office receives your gift, you will be mailed a receipt for your records as well as a self-addressed, postage paid envelope for any future contributions.