One of the most exciting programs over the last few years at RTS Charlotte is the Institute for Reformed Campus Ministry (IRCM). The IRCM is designed to equip our students for the challenges that are unique to campus ministry–and there are many. The college campus is one of the most critical battle grounds in our world today, and we are please to play a role in sending well-trained men and women to labor there.
The IRCM involves a specialized degree emphasis in campus ministry, as well as the IRCM Fellowship (a community of folks headed to campus ministry), IRCM events and lunches, and more. You can read more about it here.
While the IRCM serves a number of different campus ministries, it is no surprise that Reformed University Fellowship has become one of our biggest constituencies. Many RTS Charlotte alumni have become RUF pastors or staff over the years, and we look forward to that trend continuing in the future.
For that reason, I am pleased that this installment of the Where Are They Now? alumni series is focused on Chris Horne, class of 2012 and RUF pastor at ASU in Boone, NC. For other installments in the series, see here.
1. What are you currently doing?
I am the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus minister at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
2. Why did you originally come to RTS Charlotte?
I struggled with whether ministry and seminary were for me after interning with RUF after college. My wife was the one who really encouraged me that God was calling us to it. We chose RTS because it had a solid reputation, we knew several alums who recommended it and there was a generous scholarship for those who had worked with RUF. It really wasn’t a difficult decision for us.
3. Is there one thing that you learned at RTS that has come back to you as you have ministered to others? A phrase, encouragement or advice?
Most of the phrases that come to mind are from Dr. Bob Cara. “We want to be as balanced as the Bible is balanced” is one that has really stuck with me. RTS really stressed that everything we do in ministry is based on God’s revelation in scripture and in the person & work of Jesus. Those two realities undergird all of life. Also, Dr Kelly smiling as he told us how beautiful Jesus is.
4. What do you enjoy most about your current ministry?
Watching God work in the hearts of students. The four years of college are some of the most formative in a person’s life and I get a front row seat for what God is doing. Bringing the spiritually dead to life. Healing wounds from family, abuse and personal sin. Strengthening students to love God and His church. Sending them out into the world to serve. I get to see the Holy Spirit do miracles every day.
5. What has been a struggle in your ministry?
Losing perspective. Day in and day out can feel like sitting under a fluorescent light in a library basement (probably because that’s what I’m doing right now) as you wade through peoples’ lives and struggle to balance devotion to Jesus, family and students. The good news is that God is at work regardless of how I feel at the moment.
6. If you could give any encouragement to a current student in seminary, what would it be?
God cares deeply about the ministry of preparation you are currently in. He will bring fruit from it.
Enjoy what you are studying. The living God is the subject! Love your local church and fight for opportunities to serve there. Don’t take yourself so seriously.