Dear Friends,
God is at work. He is good, He is kind, and He holds His people in His loving hands. We believe these truths even when we don’t understand His plan. In moments of uncertainty, we rest in the knowledge that God is sovereign. The coronavirus exists because of the brokenness of this world, yet sickness and decay never have the final word. We can face each day with tremendous hope because of what Jesus has done and what He promises to do.
Right now, we feel the tension of navigating how to love our neighbor by social distancing while following our call to vocational ministry on the college campus.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve made a number of difficult decisions about how to carry forward our ministry in light of COVID-19, and we wanted to share those decisions with our larger RUF family.
MINISTRY DECISIONS
At the beginning of March, we canceled all international RUF spring break trips, as well as domestic trips to Washington state and New York City. Shortly thereafter, we canceled all remaining domestic spring break trips. In addition to concerns about exposure to the virus, we based these decisions on the ripple effect of existing and future travel restrictions, and our desire to love our neighbors well.
As of March 16, we’ve made decisions related to in-person ministry until April 5 and will continue to adapt as we receive new information.
At this time, we are limiting certain avenues of vocational interaction across the organization. These decisions were made collaboratively with National Staff and Area Coordinators.
- We suspended all in-person group ministry activities and RUF-related travel until April 5.
- We asked our ministry staff to use their discretion about planned one-to-one interactions and to follow social distancing practices.
- No decisions have been made yet about Summer Conference. Registration and planning will continue at this time.
- Our RUF National Office shifted to a remote working environment. All services and support provided by the National Office will continue without interruption.
As RUF continues to navigate this situation, I covet your prayers. These are unprecedented circumstances, and we are all doing our best to love our ministry staff, students, and neighbors well.
STILL REACHING STUDENTS
Many members of our staff have already come up with ways to pursue ministry intentionally as campuses close. They are working to maintain connections with students who have returned home. Others are helping displaced international students who don’t have anywhere to go. Unique challenges are facing each campus.
The truth is, we don’t know what God is going to do with this situation. We do know that He is bigger than COVID-19 and that His power is not limited by our limitations. I am hopeful and eager to see the amazing ways God will be at work in the coming weeks and months in the ministry you support. We are grateful for your prayers and your ongoing partnership with RUF as we seek to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve.
In His providence,
Will W. Huss, Jr. National Coordinator