Information for Parents


Welcome to the RUF UConn website. Our staff would like to tell you that we are here for you as you go through this time of transition when your student goes off to college. For 25 years RUF has been sending ordained pastors to labor with students during the odd and wonderful University years. Our task in the University is the very task of the church in the world: to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with students and equip them to live in light of its reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years, there are questions that parents typically ask which we thought we would include in a page dedicated especially to parents and how we as a ministry can be a part of your student's life during college. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any other questions not included here.

1. What is RUF?

RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). For more than 25 years ordained RUF campus ministers have been ministering the gospel to students: teaching them, praying with and for them, and walking with them through the wonderful oddness of the university years. Though receiving oversight from the PCA, RUF chapters are non-denominational in terms of their fellowship. Students from all denominations are certainly 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." 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 "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.

B. 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 topic as well as make a few friends in the process.

C. 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 on going discipleship, dealing with personal issues with which the student struggles, and addressing any crisis counseling that might arise during the studentís time at school.

D. RUF UConn is committed to having our students serve in ministries that express the truth of the gospel through deeds of mercy, justice and compassion. We seek to embody the truth of the Gospel. We aim to live out a true sense of community and we build it into every activity that we do. Therefore, we help students take leadership over all kinds of opportunities to serve the campus community and the greater Storrs area. This is a great way to involve students in opportunities to discover a passion for the hurting in their own communities.

E. 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 and Summer Conference in May are both great opportunities to get involved with RUF's ministry.

5. Can you contact my student?

Because RUF is a ministry of the Church and takes the Church's commitment to students seriously, 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?

We understand that this ministry may not be a fit for everyone. Therefore, if that proves to be the case, we are more than happy to help 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. There are a number of nourishing ministries on the campus and we will do our best to help your student find one of them.