TCU RUF welcomes all students to grow in their community and faith in Christ

By Isabella Tankersley, Staff Writer

Published Oct 9, 2024

TCU RUF welcomes people from all backgrounds and religions to join them for all their events.

TCU Reformed University Fellowship, or RUF, is an on-campus organization open to all students to provide a home away from home and strengthen members’ relationship with Christ.

Through various events like its Wednesday worship night, RUF aims to build meaningful bonds between its members and staff.

“RUF is a Christian campus ministry that seeks to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve others on campus and in their lives,” Amy Wood, a part-time campus staff member with RUF, said.

Wood’s role is to meet with students, plan monthly events and host Bible studies.

The organization also meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. for “Large Group” in King Family Commons. Each week, 45-50 students come for this casual worship event.

RUF starts their meeting by singing a worship song led by members of the organization. (Isabella Tankersley )

Claire Ponder, a senior finance and accounting double major has been involved in RUF since her first year at TCU; one of her favorite parts of worship night is singing in the choir.

“Singing in Large Groups is one of the ways I feel I can serve the Lord, using the gifts that He has given me to spread His word,” said Ponder. “Not only am I bonding with the people on the music team, but I am also deepening my relationship with God.”

Each meeting has worship, fellowship and a message from the RUF campus minister.

Rev. Bradford Green has filled that role at TCU since 2019 and has worked for RUF organizations for 12 years.

He said his role is “a mixture of pastor, missionary and chaplain.” He wants to be a source of comfort and familiarity for students while they are away from home.

“Bradford ultimately doesn’t take himself too seriously, resulting in a rather relatable and often funny sermon,” said Graciabelle Holm, a College of Charleston graduate and a TCU RUF intern.

Members greet each other and write name tags in preparation for worship night. — Members are invited to write name tags when attending weekly worship to make everyone feel welcome. (Isabella Tankersley)

RUF has been on TCU’s campus since 1998.

“We got to celebrate our 25th anniversary last year, which was really exciting,” Green said.

While RUF is a Presbyterian organization, its leadership said it is open to all denominations. Its membership includes people from various Christian denominations, such as Anglican and Baptist.

“We explore who Jesus is and what the Bible says about our relationships with the campus and each other,” Wood said.

Students said they joined the ministry for those same reasons.

“What keeps me coming back is the truth I hear every week and the relationships I have with the people are really meaningful,” Raleigh Robinson, a senior biology major, said.

The organization’s numbers have fluctuated over the years, currently standing at about 75 active members. Regardless of size, RUF’s goals remain the same.

“We do mostly the same things by trying to point to the same Jesus and the same good news of the gospel regardless, and I think that consistency is a strength,” Green said.