July 22-26 was RUF training which is held in Westminster, CO. We spent the week reflecting on the highs and lows of this past year of ministry, learning how to apply gospel-centered conversations during our 1-1 ministry, and growing in deeper understanding of the role that God has called us to.

Welcome Week started yesterday, August 19th. We will have a student event every day this week as we try to meet freshmen and help them feel comfortable in this new stage of life.

Our first Large Group will be on August 27th. Daniel will be leading us through a study of how God restores our relationships. Please pray as we and our ministry team students work to make RUF a welcoming place where new students can meet Jesus.

We have already had several freshmen reach out to us to learn more about RUF. At the moment, I have 86 freshman girls’ contacts (of course not all of them will be consistent with RUF). I’m very excited to get to know a new class of girls and see how God will work in bringing them to Him!

Olivia Kirkland is an upcoming sophomore. She is studying English and has joined our Big Events ministry team.
“Clemson RUF has been more uplifting than I ever could have imagined. Coming into freshman year, I was more than nervous. Making friends with people who knew the Lord and were committed to Him was something that I highly valued, but as I approached the fall semester, I became increasingly anxious. How long had it been since I had to make new friends without a single acquaintance, without anyone to introduce or mediate? Could I really do this whole college thing by myself?
That’s when I knew I needed to get involved in a campus ministry. A ministry that was biblically sound and full of friendly faces—a community in this new terrain called Clemson University.
It didn’t take long to find RUF. One welcome week event was all it took for me to fall in love with the ministry and the people who make it what it is. It was clear to me—God had truly brought me to these people.
The “F” in RUF might stand for “Fellowship”, but to me, it means “Family”. Going to RUF was the first time I truly experienced the Church as a community of believers, a gathering of brothers and sisters who all worshiped the same Jesus and loved the people around them. Here, it wasn’t Sunday School pretenses and tradition, but a convention of college students eager to love the Lord Almighty.
At Clemson RUF, we’re loud, silly, and way too competitive about football (go tigers!), but it’s one of the many places where God works in people and through people. He has taught me so much through our incredible campus pastor, interns, and fellow students. As I go into sophomore year, I’m no longer anxious because the Lord has given me a community to rely on. And that community is Clemson RUF, where fellowship equals family.”

I’m so happy to announce that I am already 79% funded for this year! You guys have been such a blessing to me and this ministry. My budget this year is $56,521, and by God’s grace, I only have $22,984 left to raise.

If you donated last year and would like to learn about what I’m in need of for this year, I’d love to hear from you! If you are a current donor and know of anyone else who might be interested in donating, I’d also love to hear from you!

It is through the generous hearts of Christ’s people that I can be on campus. Please help me to spread the transforming Word of God to the students at Clemson University.

• For all of the students moving back to Clemson and onto campus.

• For our first Large Group.

• For the RUF staff as we prepare to lead our own Bible studies.

• For our students to find gospel-teaching churches once they move to Clemson.

Thank you so much for the ways that you all have loved and supported me. If you have any questions, or prayer requests, or would just like to chat, please call or text me at (423)453-6249.