RUF Newberry is slated to begin ministry on January 1, 2014, after TE Starkey transfers his credentials to Second Presbytery. This has been exciting not only for Newberry ARP, but also for the presbytery. It is no secret that Second Presbytery has been badly divided over Erskine-related issues for going on eight years now, but establishing RUF at Newberry has brought this presbytery together for the sake of Gospel work.

Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARP) held its summer meeting at Bonclarken only hours before the opening session of the General Synod. By far the most exciting and encouraging item on the docket was the opportunity to help start a new RUF ministry at Newberry College in South Carolina.

The Session of Newberry ARP has been working for some time to establish a work to reach the nearby college, which is bereft of any substantial evangelical witness. The session has prayerfully chosen Associate Pastor Seth Starkey of Second Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Greenville, SC, to begin this new work. A graduate of Newberry College and RTS Charlotte, Pastor Starkey has been on staff at Second Presbyterian for over three years now, first as director of Christian education and then as pastor of youth and families.

The Session of Newberry ARP offered Second Presbytery and Outreach North America (ONA), the ARP Synod’s home missions agency, an opportunity to help with this fledgling work. Second Presbytery decided to contribute to RUF Newberry in conjunction with a matching grant from ONA. With the man, the funding, and the approval of RUF secured, the work only needed Synod’s approval to initiate the ministry. On Wednesday afternoon, Synod unanimously decided to expand its committee to oversee campus ministry at Erskine into a committee to oversee campus ministry in general. With the authorization from Synod, the Committee on Campus Ministry can now oversee the creation of this new work,  pending approval of RUM and the administration of Newberry College.

When all is approved, RUF Newberry is slated to begin its ministry on January 1, 2014, after TE Starkey transfers his credentials to Second Presbytery. This has been exciting not only for Newberry ARP, but also for the presbytery. It is no secret that Second Presbytery has been badly divided over Erskine-related issues for going on eight years now, but establishing RUF at Newberry has brought this presbytery together for the sake of gospel work.

Any inquiries about RUF at Newberry may be directed to Pastor Mantel Nance.

Scott Cook is a student at Reformed Seminary in Charlotte, N.C.