For Parents

RUF is the campus ministry of the PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) which is open to students of all backgrounds.  We exist for the convinced and the unconvinced and our purpose is to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve.  

RUF campus minister Kevin Twit has worked with students at Belmont through the ministry of RUF for 14 years.  He is an ordained minister in the PCA and the ministry is a registered 503c charity and the work is overseen by the PCA and RUF's national office in Atlanta.  (If you have questions or concerns about RUF please contact Kevin at kevintwit@comcast.net or 615 473-5826.  You can also contact the RUF national office at www.ruf.org)

Kevin and his wife Wendy have 3 children and love having students over to their house.  We are honored to be able to work with your children and take this calling very seriously. 

Over the years, there are questions that parents typically ask, so we thought we would include them in a page dedicated especially to them, with information about how we as a ministry can be a part of your student's life while away at Belmont. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any other questions not included here.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is RUF?
RUF is the official campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America and is active on over 110 campuses. 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.  To stay updated on what RUF is doing through the year, sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter.

• Large Group: 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.  You can hear Kevin's messages by subscribing to our podcast (it's free).  Just go to the itunes music store and search "RUF at Belmont"
  

• Small Groups: In any given semester, students participate in several 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. To see the small groups that are being offered this semester, click here.

• One-on-One: 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 students' time at school.

• Service: RUF desires to see a true body of Christians formed at Belmont. Living out a true sense of community is built into every activity that we do. Therefore, RUF is committed to serving in our community.
  

• Conferences: 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 Overnight in September, Winter Conference in February, and Summer Conference in May are all great opportunities to get involved with RUF's ministry.
  

5. Can you contact my student?
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. 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, the Baptist Collegiate Ministries, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc.

7. I would like to give financially to the ministry of RUF. How?
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. Click here to find out more about how you can participate in this ministry to Belmont.