University of Alabama
Join us every Wednesday of the Spring 2023 Semester at 8 PM in Russell Hall Auditorium 159
Contact
As a ministry of Jesus Christ, RUF exists in step with the local church to see the flourishing of life at The University of Alabama through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, the breaking down of barriers among campus groups, and grace based community that seeks God together in order to serve the campus and Tuscaloosa for the Glory of God. If you are a student or would like to connect us to a student, reach out to us by email. Roll Tide!!
Connect
Students involved in RUF are connected to a few main churches, feel free to check them out. They are:
Listen to our podcast!
Interested in what we listen to? Check out the RUF Bama Set List and Indelible Grace
Dating Article by former RUF Midsouth Coordinator, Les Newsom
Meet Our Team
Stewart Swain
Stewart was born in Ohio but grew up in Glen Ellyn, IL, a small suburb 30 minutes west of Chicago. After graduating from Glenbard West High School Stewart moved to Texas and attended SMU. He was never looking for Jesus or a Campus Ministry until RUF found him at the end of a confusing, fun, and difficult freshman year. Through a long process of ups and downs after his sophomore year Stewart received the good news of the gospel. The life changing message of being able to know God through Jesus began to renovate his whole life and even made him consider entering into vocational ministry. Upon graduation from SMU in 2010 with a BBA in Marketing and a minor in Spanish he moved to Winston-Salem, NC to work for RUF at Wake Forest University. These years at Wake made him consider a more permanent calling so in June of 2012 he moved back to Dallas, TX to begin a Masters in Divinity at Redeemer Seminary and to continue working for RUF at SMU. During his last year in seminary Stewart worked as an accountant for a contract furniture design company. Stewart graduated from Redeemer in May of 2015 and has been the Campus Minister at The University of Alabama since June 2015. Stewart loves the energy of Alabama, the diversity of people on campus, and anything sports and people related.
Stewart’s wife - Mary Cannon - is from Nashville. She became a Christian in college and was involved in RUF as a student at Ole Miss. She holds her bachelors and masters degrees in Accounting and currently works for PriceWaterhouse Coopers. She is very excited to minister to college girls.
Stewart is currently finishing his 8th year working as the Campus Minister for RUF at Bama
Elle Shuford
Elle is from Watkinsville, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Advertising and Communication Studies. During her years in RUF as a student, she came to know the beauty and grace of Jesus. After graduation, Elle spent two years as an RUF Intern at the University of Florida. Her time as an Intern in Gainesville was so impactful, and the Lord used it to call her into the Campus Staff position at the University of Alabama. Elle enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing games, going on walks, singing, and creating Spotify playlists. She can’t wait to head to Tuscaloosa and see how God works!
Sam Johnson
Sam is currently at the University of Alabama serving as an RUF Intern. Sam grew up in Memphis, TN where he attended Independent Presbyterian Church through his entire childhood. He stayed in Memphis until college where he attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville to pursue a degree in Communications. Sam enjoys running, playing soccer, and getting food with people because he believes it is the best time to get to know someone. Sam is currently planning on attending seminary after the Internship with hopes of achieving a Masters in Divinity. Please be praying for his time at the University of Alabama!
Mary Claire Sides
Mary Claire was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where she went to Highland Park High School. She continued on to attend the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. During her time at Texas, Mary Claire came to know the Lord at the beginning of her junior year and RUF quickly became a place where she asked questions, shared concerns, cried, laughed and most importantly, felt the love of Jesus through the staff and other students. Some of her favorite memories of RUF at Texas include time with her small group, prayer nights, early leadership team meetings, and all the conferences. Mary Claire can’t wait to move to Tuscaloosa to begin coffee hangs, Bible studies, large groups and so much more!