We had over 20 students at Summer Conference at Laguna Beach Christian Center, May 11-16. Here’s some of what students shared below.

“I went to the 4-day seminar on Spiritual Warfare. I think of myself as an observant person, but now I’m thinking of how much is unseen that is actually happening all the time.” - Hannah

“Good friendships grew from 0 - 5!” - Soren

“Restful. Just so good to make friends with other Christians.” - Brianna

“I was always writing at seminars, which is a good sign! Justification seminar was helpful because we are all in a different place in our growth with God. That was encouraging to hear because it means I don’t need to beat myself up in comparison to others.” - Joshua

I look forward to sharing how God works with this group!

Financial Support Update:

Thank you for your steadfast financial partnership with the ministry of RUF at MTSU. If I haven’t already, I’d love to talk with you and share even more stories of how God is at work. Who doesn’t want to be encouraged?

Support RUF at MTSU

Prayer Update:

God is always at work. When we pray for his will to be done it looks like…

1) Ask God for students to be converted to life in Christ
2) Praise God for how he’s working in the tough situations for students.
3) Pray for 2-year intern, Abigail Moore, as she transitions to Murfreesboro, finds a place to live, and raises her support! Partner with Abigail!
4) Thanks for the good ministry of outgoing Student Ministry Team members and for those who applied and were accepted to the team for next year
5) Encouragement in fundraising this Summer

Personal Update:

The kids are healthy and happy! What more can I ask for? We continue our rhythm of going to the farmers market here in town Saturday mornings. We found seats for the kids to ride on our bikes with us and are rejuvenated by their proper childlike wonder at this.

In Christ,

Jacob Virtue

“I’ve been scared to give myself an opportunity to be disappointed, but not anymore.”
- Female Junior Student

As we sat outside during our 1-on-1 meeting, she then shared how life with Jesus is more exciting than trying to play it safe. “Who knows what God will do?”

In the same conversation, she shared that her father’s cancer had returned. “I got the news the day before you preached on Suffering. It was perfect timing.” We cried.

Another student, a male, pulled me aside weeks earlier after our Sunday Night Fellowship Testimony Night. 5 students shared the garbage and glory of their lives. We felt God’s care in that space together. Tears already filled his eyes, he stuttered, “I just got a text that 3 of my family members just died in a car crash. One was pregnant. It would have been the first grandchild on that side of the family. I wanted to tell you. I need a shoulder to cry on.”

While students continued to talk around the fire, laugh, and encourage those who shared their testimonies, this student and I stood to the side with shock and grief.

There were many hard stories this semester. I am reminded of one Ministry Team training. We read about and discussed inconsolable things in life. We sat with the reality that because Jesus resurrected from the grave, everything will be ok. But even so, there are hard things in life we must bear. Dear Ministry Partners, you are also bearing these inconsolable things.

I rejoice at the graduation of our seniors! We had a senior panel where they shared about God’s work in their lives in RUF at MTSU. One senior who became a Christian through the ministry of RUF shared,

“I had so many combative arguments against Christianity, and yet here I am, grateful for God using RUF to lead me to Jesus.”

Exciting News: We have an intern!

On a happier note, we have a new 2-Year Intern! Abigail Moore is an answer to prayer. She has visited Large Group and is integrating well into the group. She is graduating from North Georgia University at Dahlonega. She loves Jesus and wants others to know the joy of living a life in Christ! As a Ministry Partner, it would mean a lot to her to hear from you; just welcoming her and letting her know you are praying for her. She is also raising support. Here’s her email Abigail.Moore@ruf.org.

Summer Conference

We have over 20 students going to week 2 of Summer Conference at Laguna Beach Christian Center May 11-16. I look forward to sharing how God works with this group!

Check out the latest podcast from The Road to Missional Living

One of my ministry partners, Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, had me on their podcast. You can check it out here.

Financial Support Update:

Thank you for your steadfast financial partnering with the ministry of RUF at MTSU. If I haven’t already, I’d love to talk with you and share even more stories of how God is at work. Who doesn’t want to be encouraged?

Support RUF at MTSU

Prayer Update:

THANK YOU for prayerfully partnering with me! Your texts of encouragement and questions of how situations are progressing means so much. I am incredibly grateful for your prayers. Please keep praying for

1) conversions
2) the grace of God and his comfort for students going through hard things
3) our incoming 2-Year Intern Abigail
4) an increase of courage for RUF students to live out the kingdom of God
5) Students to be led to RUF and build community around the gospel.

Personal Update:

Kaitlyn and I continue to minister together through hospitality and vital conversations. She is incredible. I had the honor of officiating a graveside funeral for our neighbor’s daughter. We got to attend a pool birthday party for a little boy who has autism. Kaitlyn and the kids have planted a number of seeds (flowers and vegetables). We celebrated the wedding of a dear friend in Chicago.

In Christ,

Jacob Virtue

“I didn’t know the Bible could be read like this”

- Freshman student. Adam was reached by a Sophomore on the ministry team.

While he grew up going to church, he had stopped going now that he was in college. He had been wanting to find a time to meet since last semester. “When did you stop going to church?” I asked. “Towards the end of Senior year in high school.” “Did something happen during that time?” “Well, two of my close friends stopped going to church too. One of them says he doesn’t believe in God at all.” He pauses and sits with his sentence. “I think when they stopped, I lost some motivation to go myself.” “Do you think the Bible is boring?” I asked. We sipped our coffee and looked at the Bible together. God met us when we did. He’s at community group weekly. He’s back to church too.

Winter Conference saw over 500 students from 15 different RUF’s with Rev. Russ Whitfield preaching and Rev. Kevin Twit (RUF Belmont) and Rev. Marcus Nobles (RUF Alabama A&M) leading worship. MTSU brought 36 students, half of which going for their first time. Win Con is a turning point for many students spiritually, especially through breakout seminars taught by RUF Ministers and Staff covering topics like Defeater Beliefs, Justification, and Church History.

Your financial partnership enabled significant scholarships so that no one who wanted to go missed out. Thank you.

At Ministry Team, a ministry team member shared the following about Winter Conference. “I’ve had many new people to RUF share that they feel welcomed and included. But now they tell me they feel that RUF is their home.” And at Large Group last night I witnessed every student lingering, laughing, and building friendships. Would you pray that these Image-Bearers continue to lean into building a beautiful community?

Support: I am about $72,000 away from fully funding RUF at MTSU this year (December 31st). I’m inviting you to partner with me through monthly or special year-end gifts to keep reaching students with the gospel and equipping them to serve God throughout their lives.

Summer Conference registration is open for students! I try to offer big scholarships for this trip as the total cost is $460. Would you partner with me this way to ensure no student misses out?

Support RUF at MTSU

Personal Update: James Shepherd turned 1, and Flora turned 3! Jacob was invited to share with other RUFs at Christ Community Church for RUF Sunday. Jacob was privileged to pulpit fill and administer the sacraments at Redeemer Church Murfreesboro.

Prayer Update: Praise God for our Ministry Team who have been practicing hospitality well. Ask the Holy Spirit to work in students’ lives, especially about curiosity surrounding Jesus and living with him as Lord of their life. Pray for students who are kept, for whatever reason, from community. Loneliness is a continual pressure for these 20,000 undergraduates.

In Christ,

Jacob Virtue