Howard University
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Welcome to RUF at Howard! We are a ministry that is celebrating and joining the rich Christian legacy of HBCUs; connected to the local, global and ancient church; sharing and showing the words and work of Jesus; a place that is about the truth and feels like family; honest about every student's spiritual hunger; and confident that God is at work on Howard's campus.
Why RUF?
"RUF changed my whole outlook on faith, grace, and even ministry."
"RUF played a MAJOR role in getting me out of my depression and closer to God . . . "
All over the country, God is using RUF to transform the lives of college students, and he is doing this on the campus of Howard University through the RUF chapter. Will you join us?
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Meet Our Team
Cyril Chavis, Jr.
Rev. Cyril Chavis, Jr. is from Virginia Beach, VA. During his first year at the University of Virginia, Cyril recognized that he was a sinner who was rebelling against a God who has a glorious design for his life. Cyril recognized his desperate need and gave his life to Jesus Christ, experiencing the life transforming grace of God. Soon afterwards, he sensed an inward call to ministry and immediately pursued the training necessary to sharpen his ministerial gifting. After being licensed to preach in Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. Dr. Shelton Murphy, becoming a church planting resident at Portico Church, and graduating from UVA with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, Cyril began his formal training, pursuing a Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. During his seminary training, he became a ministry intern under Rev. Elbert McGowan. After graduating seminary in 2017 and leading RUF at Jackson State for four years, Cyril and his wife, Jenell, moved to DC to start an RUF at Howard University. When Cyril is not at work in ministry, you can find him hanging out with Jenell, goofing off with his kids (Aria, Elise, and Kyrie), or laughing way too hard with friends and family!
Latasha Allston
Latasha has been on the campus of Jackson State University since the beginning of its RUF ministry! She is from San Francisco, California, and was a student at JSU from 2008-2012! While at Jackson State, she was an active participant of RUF, Dance Ensemble, as well as the Track & Field Team. She graduated in 2012 and started working as a ministry intern with RUF. Shortly after coming on staff with RUF, she began working towards completing a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy at Reformed Theological Seminary. After graduating from RTS in 2017, she has now come on as full-time staff. In 2021, Tasha became a licensed professional counselor (LPC). And in the summer of 2022, after 10 YEARS AT JSU, Tasha joined the staff of RUF at Howard. Tasha's focus area is outreach, discipleship, and fostering community among our students. When she is not spending time with our RUF ladies, you can find her learning new recipes, dancing, working out, and sitting in the sun!!
Chris Reed
Chris grew up in the "Windy-City", Chicago, IL. After graduating from high school, he attended Lewis University where he received a bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications. While leading in a ministry at Lewis, Chris recognized God's call to pastoral ministry. Shortly after Chris graduated, he traveled a few miles north to Deerfield, IL to study at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in pursuit of his MDiv. He graduated from Trinity and was approved for ordination in the Potomac Presbytery in fall '22. Chris is excited to be a part of what God is doing through RUF at Howard.
