“Do not despise the day of small things for God rejoices to see the work began”—Zechariah 4:10
It all started in 1971 in Hattiesburg, MS, at the University of Southern Mississippi. Pastor Mark Lowry began gathering with college students in small groups, opening up the Scripture, ministering the gospel, and teaching the theological distinctions of the reformed faith. It may not have seemed like much then, but God had big plans. Forty-six years later, the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) is on more than 140 campuses nationwide. From coast to coast, students are being introduced to the doctrines of grace and the Lordship of Christ. Many are learning for the first time how God’s Word impacts every area of life as they are equipped to be life-long servants of the church and the world.
Since our beginning, Cornerstone has partnered with RUF in their mission to bring the message of the gospel to college campuses. Within our presbytery, there are six RUF ministries that we support as a church:
· Vanderbilt University – Rev. Richie Sessions
· Belmont University – Kevin Twit
· Middle Tennessee State University – Matt Alexander
· Western Kentucky University – Ross Lockwood
· Austin Peay State University – Rev. Austin Royal
· Tennessee Tech University – Rev. Gavin Breeden
Today for worship, we’re taking time to highlight the ministry of RUF. To help us do that, I’ve asked Rev. Gavin Breeden from Tennessee Tech. University to bring God’s Word to us. Gavin grew up down the street in Martin, TN and attended college at UT-Martin where he studied Philosophy. While at UT-Martin, Gavin got involved with RUF where he met Shalaine, a cross country/track star from Henderson, KY. They married in June 2006 and soon thereafter moved to Charlotte, NC for Gavin to attend seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary where he was awarded a Masters of Divinity degree in 2011. After graduation, Gavin accepted a call to be an Assistant Pastor at Northpointe Presbyterian Church in Meridian, MS. In July 2015, the Campus Ministry Committee of the Nashville Presbytery extended a call to Gavin to become our next campus minister at Tennessee Tech. Gavin and Shalaine have three precious children: Addie Pearl (born March 2011), Miles (born May 2013), and Stella (born November 2015).
I get the privilege, along with Ruler Elder Steve Green, to serve on the campus ministry committee of the Nashville Presbytery. We can tell you first hand that Gavin is doing an excellent job serving the truth of God’s Word to the students at Tennessee Tech. Please take time after the service to welcome Gavin to Cornerstone and give close attention to the message he’s come to deliver from Luke 8:26-39.