Student Stories: Thomas Cole

“My first RUF event was the annual Cookout kickoff at the start of the fall semester. I met so many people that evening, people who were interested in getting to know me.I’d forgotten what it was like to have a nice relaxing conversation with someone. Prior to RUF I struggled with lonliness, and I really didn’t know anyone around my age that I connected with.
 Then, I saw the RUF spring camping trip event pop up in my Facebook feed and felt a tug on my heart to go. I’m telling you that trip was life-changing; it was like someone had dropped a pine tree on my dying campfire. I was transformed by the people I met—people that God had brought into my life and touched my heart. As I became more plugged in, I grew stronger relationships with other students and my campus minister, Lee. Then came Summer Conference. Man, I had been on trips, but this was truly an incredible week! The Lord was moving in my heart and challenging me in ways that I never experienced before. A revival, a returning to my Lord was happening. 
Since that time up to the present, RUF has continued to be a major part of my life. I’ve started to serve more and now I’m beginning to take more of a leadership role. Some of the relationships that I have cultivated have turned into great friendships— friendships unlike any that I have never had before. Even more, my relationship with God has been made stronger. It always has always been stable and secure, but I have never felt closer to Him. I owe all of this to RUF, God’s wonderful gift to me.”

I love how God has used RUF in Thomas’s story. These events, trips, and conferences play an integral role in creating space for students to experience community❤️ I also love how you can so evidently see RUF’s mission through his story: To reach students and equip them to serve!