University of Tennessee, Knoxville RUF International
Join us every other week from 6-8 PM at the Black Cultural Center (weekdays vary this fall)
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What do people from Delhi, Istanbul, Krakow, Legos, Beijing, Cairo, Tehran, and Sao Paolo have in common? They and many others form the 1500 students and visiting scholars from 100 nations who have come to study and research at The University of Tennessee. What else do they have in common? They have various kinds of needs while they're here - need for friendship, need to improve their English, need to understand American culture, need for encouragement in their academic journey, and the need to know the God of grace.
RUF International at UT aims to help our international friends in 3 basic ways, by: 1) Welcoming international students and scholars 2) Exploring the Gospel with them and 3) Equipping international Christian students to be ambassadors for Christ's kingdom.
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Monthly Off Campus Events
Weekly Small Groups
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Meet Our Team
Lee Leadbetter
Lee Leadbetter and his wife, Jen, are both natives of the Knoxville area, where they met at the University of Tennessee through the ministry of RUF. Lee and Jen have 2 sons (Daniel & Phillip) and 2 daughters (Annie & Neissa). Lee spent 3 years working in youth ministry and then went on to complete an MDiv from Covenant Seminary. After a short stint with Mission to the World in Romania in 2005-2006, Lee and Jen returned to Knoxville where Lee worked as an intern for Redeemer Church while pursuing ordination. In January 2008, the Leadbetters had the opportunity to plant RUF International at UT, where Lee has continued to serve as Campus Minister.
Joshua Willing
Joshua was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. When starting at Chattanooga State Community College for mechatronic technology AAS, he also started to consistently attended Covenant Presbyterian Church. Through volunteering as a youth leader (for MS boys), learning about God's grace, the person of Jesus, the theology of adoption (he is adopted), and the importance of biblical peacemaking; he sought a Gospel-rooted college ministry. UTC RUF is where he landed and enjoyed every moment of it! He is interested in a Chaplain career in the military post-Internship. His hobbies include spikeball, ultimate frisbee, and Super Smash Bros. He also likes reading, music, movies, college sports, festivals, and being outside.