Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is the campus ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America.  Although we are sent to the campus by the PCA, we welcome students from any and all walks of life. Students from a wide variety of church and religious backgrounds are involved here at University of South Carolina. We are here for the "convinced" and the "unconvinced." 

Why Reformed?

    The word "reformed" simply means that we hold to a historic and biblical understanding of Christianity.

    Though many today would claim that truth is relative or unknowable, we believe that Christianity stands upon very clear and specific truth claims. Jesus Himself said that we must believe who he claimed to be and hold to his teachings. Our ministry is set up in such a way that students are given opportunities to wrestle with the truth (through the Bible-God's word), and to see that the gospel speaks to every need and every area of life. Through exposure to truth, we hope that many will come to know the One who is truth, Jesus Christ.

    Christianity is not intended to make us better people; the gospel makes us new people. It brings new life for those who are dead in sin, and brings hope for the hopeless. We believe that those who come to see that Jesus is the truth will also see that He is life.

Why the University?

    Jesus said, "I am making all things new!" RUF was born out of a desire not to abandon the campus, nor to be lost in it. It is the goal of RUF to be a ministry "for our campus", not for ourselves. This hope is founded in the belief that the gospel can change any person and any place.

    Our leading question is not "what kind of ministry can we be?" but rather "what kind of university can this be?" Our hope is to see the campus transformed by the power and beauty of the presence of Christ. 

    The Christian faith is not something that can be lived out alone. The Christian is called to live within a community. We live life together. We face our struggles together. RUF is committed to building up and inviting people into this unique and loving community.

    The glory of the church is not her people. Her glory is her Redeemer, Christ the Lord! Because Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her, we are then delighted to gather under her care. We know that it is here that God is at work, gathering His people, and strengthening them for the work of His kingdom