Recent Comments ARCHIVE - Love writes a letter to Hate - 19 things I want RUF to be about - Time to Start - Casa Hogar 2 - Casa Hogar 2 - Casa Hogar 1 - End of the Semester Report - A poem by Nicole Rowlette - Mexico - Poem by Anthony Plopper - My Poem - Patty Griffin Rocks My House - End of the Decade - The Gospel by Tim Keller - Sex by Marva Dawn - The Interviews - Becky Robertson - The Interviews - Katie Willis - The Interviews - Ian Puffenberger - The Interviews - The Moyni - The Interviews - Chris Schaefer		The Interviews -Matt Howell 6/17/09 I remember meeting Matt Howell on my first day on campus, with Russ and Jason. He was - funny and maybe enthusiastic. Earnest. He could jump out of the gym. Wow. But no jump shot. He played his WAMP cd for me and then performed the I'm Not A Clown song for me live. I have no words for this, but I've never personally witnessed a stage presence that could surpass Matt's. Matt once asked a girl to be his friend. That was awesome. He yells at people. He will prank call you. He's also the new RUF Campus minister at Appalachian State and married to the renowned Kathryn Drinkard - Howell. He loves Jesus and will do a wonderful job. I miss him and am glad to be in his company. He loved our family well, and he loves Jesus and the Bible and the church. 1. How did you first get involved with RUF? Basically, a friend of a friend knew that Doug was coming to OU to begin RUF. I had no idea what RUF was, but I was committed to attending at least every Christian organization once [insert courtesy laugh]. So....this friend of a friend introduced us to Doug, and then he left OU a few days later to do grad school up in Tulsa, as if he was simply playing his part in the grand design to connect me and my friends to RUF and once he did, he split. 2. What was/is your favorite part about RUF? The community. I developed my deepest friendships through the ministry of RUF. I am five years out of college and I still keep up and meet with the guys that I got to know there. The reason that this is able to happen is that the soil of RUF naturally cultivates strong roots and deep connections. Doug weekly preached the gospel - and part of the gospel is the affirmation that we are messy, sinful, broken and in need of Jesus. It is at this place of weakness and brokenness that deep conversations are able to had and friendships able to be made. 3. How would you describe your RUF to people interested in coming? I would say that they need to check it out. RUF is pretty unique in that it doesn't seek to create an insulated Christian culture but rather seeks to create a counter culture directly in the context of the university. This means that Christians and non-Christians are welcome, that everyone of all types and stripes can come and bring their wounds, their doubts, their fears, their excitement - and because the gospel is for both the convinced and the unconvinced - RUF trusts that God will use the preached word to convict, convert and transform people. 4. What traditions did you have at RUF that meant the most to you? Lots...1) 151 Seconds - Doug spills his wisdom off the cuff on any given topic for, well, 151 seconds, 2) Not-A-Date - I took Kim on a Not-a-Date once. We may have gone to Taco Bell...I can't remember. 3) The social events - one that stands out is going to the roller skating place in 80s garb. I remember getting mean looks from the local high schoolers. 5. How did God use RUF in your life? God used RUF to liberate me from a deeply embedded legalism. I was convinced that spiritual activity correlated to spiritual maturity. I believed that Christians who were "strong" or were the "studs", were those that were involved in everything and that held a rigorous schedule of spiritual discipline. And because I did not understand that the Christian life operates on grace just like our entrance into the Christian life does, I was burnt out, guilt-ridden and guilt-driven. God powerfully rescued me from the spiritual rat race, gave me a new sense of wonder and awe at the gospel of grace, and transformed my motivational structure where I now desire to please my Father with good works, as opposed to trying to appease my God with following rules. 6. What did RUF teach you about Jesus and the church? RUF taught me that Jesus lived and died for people who betrayed Him. Who would in their right mind lay down their life for their enemies? It is mind-boggling. As Doug used to pound into our heads, we 'just barely understand the gospel.' I will always remember this. This communicates to me that the simple gospel message that "Jesus died for sinners" runs deeper and wider than we will ever be able to grasp. A final note: Doug is a minister and teaching elder in our church denomination but he is also a missionary to the campus of OU. I am so very grateful for his ministry because God used it so profoundly in my life. Name: (optional) 6/21/09 1:47 pm Clint: I like donuts.