RUF is pleased to announce the hiring of three new Area Coordinators who will transition into their new roles this January. We are excited for these men to step into these new roles.
Derek Bates – Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes
Born and raised in VA, Derek graduated from James Madison University. A few years later, Derek attended Covenant Seminary; it was there that Derek met his wife, Luda, became acquainted with RUF, and eventually graduated. Since 2008, Derek has served RUF as the campus minister at the University of Pittsburgh. Derek will oversee the RUF ministries in the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes region. The Bates, now six strong, continue to reside in Pittsburgh, which they love.
Curtis McDaniel – Georgia & Florida
Curtis graduated with a History degree in 2005 from the University of Florida. After college, he went to Covenant Theological Seminary and graduated with his M.Div in 2009. In 2008, he married Margaret, whom he had met through RUF at the University of Florida. Prior to RUF, Curtis served as an assistant and then associate pastor at a PCA church in Savannah, GA. From 2013 until the present, he has served as the RUF Campus Minister at Purdue University. They are blessed with 3 children: Anna (8), Kate (6), and Drew (3). In his free time, Curtis likes reading books, riding his bike, playing & watching sports (Go Gators!), and watching a good movie/TV show. The McDaniels are looking forward to moving back to Florida and starting this new role in RUF!
Mike Wenzler – Midwest & Mountains
Mike grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM). Lauren, originally from the Chicago area, earned her degree from the University of Kansas. Mike and Lauren married and moved to Charlotte, where he earned a Masters of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Eventually, Mike and Lauren moved back to Milwaukee and began a new RUF chapter at his alma mater, UWM; they served there for 5 years. In 2018 Mike became the RUF campus minister at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. The Wenzlers have 3 children – William (8) and Samuel (6), and Eloise (4) who are successfully dominating their free time, destroying their furniture, and blessing them with joy beyond words. Mike and Lauren enjoy spending time with friends, drinking coffee and traveling. On any given day, you may find Lauren reading, cooking, relaxing, and shopping. Likewise, Mike is constantly active; he loves biking, skiing, cars, motorcycles, and fixing anything broken. Mike is excited to continue serving with RUF as the Mountains and Midwest Area Coordinator from his home base in Fort Collins.