Ministry Report From Gavin Breeden

Order of Service

• Ministry Report and Presentation — Gavin Breeden (RUF Campus Minister at the University of Pittsburgh)
• Question and Answer Session
• Pastoral Prayer

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Sermon Title: Ministry Report From Gavin Breeden

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

I. The Nature of Campus Ministry at the University of Pittsburgh

A. Gavin Breeden serves with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), the campus ministry of the PCA, now in his eighth year of campus ministry B. Previously served at North Point Church (2011–2015) and RUF at Tennessee Tech (seven years) before moving to Pittsburgh in July 2022 C. The guiding passage for ministry is the parable of the growing seed — the minister scatters the Word and God mysteriously gives the growth (Mark 4:26-29)

II. The Unique Challenges of Ministry at the University of Pittsburgh

A. Pitt is a highly secular campus of approximately 20,000 undergraduates with few active campus ministries

1. The largest campus ministry is the Roman Catholic campus ministry, with roughly 100 students
2. Gathering students requires intensive tabling, free food distribution, and personal outreach — a good day yields five new contacts B. The campus culture is marked by individualism and academic intensity; students commonly eat lunch alone C. Pitt's Cathedral of Learning symbolizes a culture where learning is treated with almost religious devotion

III. The Three Avenues of Weekly Ministry

A. Large Group Bible Study — Thursdays at 9:00 PM, featuring worship, prayer, and a 25–30 minute Bible teaching

1. Fall semester series: Conversations with Jesus through the Gospel of John — including Jesus and Nicodemus, the woman at the well (John 4), Jesus and Pilate (John 18), and Jesus and Thomas after the resurrection
2. Spring semester series: the Book of Ecclesiastes — examining how lasting satisfaction is found only in Jesus B. Small Group Bible Studies — four or five groups meeting weekly
3. Fall small group on evangelism, addressing the difficulty of sharing faith in a secular environment
4. Spring small group on questions God asks in Scripture — including Genesis 3 (Where are you?), Matthew 16 (Who do you say that I am?), and Jonah 4 (Do you do well to be angry?)
5. Students must complete two training tracks and an apprentice semester before leading a small group C. One-on-One Meetings — intentional pastoral and evangelistic conversations with individual students

IV. Community Life and Student Formation

A. Outreach and fellowship events — Freshman Fiesta, Wings and Swings, Bob Ross painting night, RUF Lunch in the cafeteria, holiday parties, and Thanksgiving Around the World B. Service opportunities — Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service; spring break mission trip to the Yakima Reservation in Washington state, partnering with Sacred Road Ministries and Hope Fellowship Church (PCA) C. Conferences — Fall Conference at Ligonier, PA (near the home of Ligonier Ministries); Summer Conference in Panama City Beach, FL (18 hours of driving each way, 32 students attended) D. Bible Training Conferences each semester equip students to read Scripture and lead small groups

V. RUF's Relationship to the Local Church

A. RUF is explicitly not a church — it does not administer sacraments, have membership, or serve the full range of ages B. RUF is described as a "food truck" — it provides a partial experience of Christian community; the local church is the "restaurant" offering the full experience C. Students are actively encouraged to connect with City Reformed Presbyterian Church and Grace and Peace Church, both PCA congregations in Pittsburgh D. Women in the ministry participate in a mentoring program at City Reformed Presbyterian Church

VI. Stories of God's Work in Students' Lives

A. Michaela (freshman) — a difficult first meeting led Breeden to expect she would not return; she persisted, opened up about anxiety and depression after a large group talk on the subject, became one of the most committed students, completed small group leader training, and joined the spring break mission trip B. Michaela (senior, now graduated) — had been on the verge of leaving RUF and the faith; chose to wait and give the new minister a chance; found her faith strengthened and renewed through the year C. Sarah (super-senior, engineering) — postponed her career to serve as an RUF intern at Boston University for two years D. Amy — Vietnamese-American student from a Buddhist background; came to faith at RUF at Pitt, was baptized, joined the local PCA church, and has since moved on to graduate studies E. Ron — a sharp young man who left the faith at age 13; has been meeting regularly with Breeden to discuss his objections; seems genuinely open and has agreed to read recommended books before departing for two years with the Peace Corps

VII. Prayer Requests

A. The summer season — reflection, support team visits, and preparation for the coming school year B. Teddy and Ron — two students not yet in Christ whom the Lord appears to be drawing toward faith C. Conversions and deeper connection of believing students to local churches D. Fundraising — a goal of 20 new monthly donors and $20,000 in special giving this summer, trusting that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)