Evangelical Student Organizations Student Organizations in Santa Ana, CA

Reformed University Fellowship is a student-led campus ministry organization serving the University of Southern California community in Los Angeles, California, with a mission to reach college students through authentic relationships and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Operating since 1973 when it was founded at the University of Southern Mississippi, RUF has grown into a national movement with ministries on campuses across the United States, internationally, and globally. The organization is distinguished by its commitment to five core values: being gospel-driven, connected to the local church, pastoral in approach, full of lived graciousness, and celebratory in spirit. RUF believes that college represents a critical season when students explore beliefs, make significant decisions, and experience life-changing moments. The ministry invites students into genuine community regardless of their spiritual background or experience level. Whether students arrive with questions about faith, skepticism about Christianity, or a desire to grow spiritually, RUF welcomes them into a space of grace and honest conversation about God's redemptive work. The organization's vision centers on preparing college students to become servant-leaders in their churches, workplaces, families, and communities after graduation. At the USC location in Los Angeles, RUF creates a countercultural community of hope within an sprawling urban environment, providing meaningful connection and spiritual formation during formative college years. The ministry emphasizes that students need not have everything figured out to participate—only a genuine openness to exploring grace and experiencing authentic Christian community.

Christian Challenge is a vibrant student organization at the University of Southern California in Monterey Park, CA that exists to transform how students understand and experience faith during their college years. More than just a campus group, Christian Challenge functions as a spiritual family committed to walking alongside students as they develop meaningful relationships with Jesus and with one another. Founded on the principle that identity is rooted in Jesus, Christian Challenge brings together students from across the USC campus to explore faith in authentic, relational ways. The organization recognizes that college represents a pivotal season when students are actively shaping their values, perspectives, and life direction. Christian Challenge intentionally invests in students during this formative time, providing mentorship, community, and spiritual guidance. The heart of Christian Challenge's approach is creating tight-knit communities where students experience genuine belonging. Through LIFE Groups, students engage in Bible exploration, intercessory prayer, spontaneous fellowship, and mutual encouragement. These small group experiences create spaces where students can ask questions, process their faith journeys, and develop lasting friendships rooted in shared spiritual commitment. Christian Challenge's leadership team, including staff members who came on board in 2010 and have deep roots in the Monterey Park and Oklahoma communities, brings personal conviction and lived experience to their ministry. The organization's statement of faith emphasizes unity in essential Christian beliefs while respecting diverse perspectives on non-essential matters, demonstrating a commitment to charity and acceptance. The organization's vision extends beyond individual spiritual growth to multiplication—developing disciples who will help others encounter Jesus. Christian Challenge welcomes students at every stage of their faith journey, from those exploring Christianity for the first time to those seeking deeper discipleship. As a family united in following Jesus and obeying God's commands, Christian Challenge provides the community, teaching, and relationships that help students thrive spiritually and personally throughout their college experience.

InterVarsity Bruin Christian Fellowship represents a vibrant extension of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA, an evangelical and interdenominational campus ministry with deep historical roots. The organization traces its heritage back to a British university student movement in the 1870s, with the American chapter established in 1938 at the University of Michigan. Since InterVarsity's incorporation in 1941, thousands of students have become thoughtful representatives of God's kingdom and moved into leadership roles across churches, organizations, corporations, and agencies worldwide. At UCLA in Los Angeles, California, the Bruin Christian Fellowship embodies this legacy by creating an authentic community of witnesses dedicated to bringing God's love to every corner of campus. We are a multi-ethnic community of students unified in seeking the full life that Jesus offers, regardless of background or prior faith experience. Our approach emphasizes genuine relationship-building and personal spiritual growth through intentional small group communities. What distinguishes InterVarsity Bruin Christian Fellowship is our commitment to challenging one another to put faith into action while studying the life of Jesus and the purposes of God together. We recognize that growing spiritually while managing student responsibilities can feel overwhelming, which is why we've designed our community to support and encourage one another through this journey. Whether through intimate Bible studies, corporate worship gatherings, or transformative conferences with other InterVarsity chapters across Los Angeles, we create multiple entry points for students to connect, belong, and grow. Our vision extends beyond campus activities—we're intentionally cultivating the next generation of faithful leaders who will carry their convictions into their careers and communities long after graduation.

Bruin In Christ Alone Ministry represents a vibrant faith community rooted at the University of California - Los Angeles, dedicated to fostering spiritual transformation and gospel-centered discipleship in the Los Angeles area. As a student-led organization, the ministry brings together believers united by a shared passion for worshiping God and demonstrating Christ's love in practical, meaningful ways. At its core, this Los Angeles-based ministry is driven by a compelling vision that encompasses three essential movements: evangelism, establishment, and equipping. The community recognizes that authentic spiritual growth requires a holistic approach—beginning with the invitation to know Christ, continuing through the development of mature faith and Christlike character, and culminating in the empowerment of believers to become leaders and disciple-makers in their own right. What distinguishes Bruin In Christ Alone Ministry is its commitment to building generations of disciples rather than simply counting conversions. The organization invests deeply in the spiritual formation of its members, emphasizing devotion to God's Word, the power of prayer, and the importance of Christian community. These foundational elements work together to transform individuals from the inside out, creating authentic disciples who reflect Christ's character in their daily lives. The ministry's vision extends far beyond the UCLA campus and Los Angeles itself. Members are encouraged to see their faith as a launching point for global impact, with a desire to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into all nations. Through training committed disciples and challenging their faith, Bruin In Christ Alone Ministry cultivates leaders who understand their role in God's redemptive work throughout the world. Serving the Los Angeles community with authenticity and purpose, this organization represents a new generation of believers committed to making Christ's transformative love known to everyone they encounter.

Reformed University Fellowship at UCLA serves as a vibrant student organization rooted in Los Angeles, CA, dedicated to introducing college students to the transformative hope of Jesus Christ. As part of a national campus ministry movement founded in 1973, RUF brings decades of experience in discipling young leaders during their most formative years. The UCLA chapter welcomes all students—regardless of their current beliefs or doubts—to explore authentic Christian faith through genuine relationships and serious engagement with Scripture. The heart of RUF's mission centers on creating spaces where students can experience genuine community while studying God's Word together. The organization believes that college represents a critical season when students are making life-defining decisions and exploring their deepest beliefs. Through intentional gatherings and small group connections, RUF provides pastoral care and mentorship that helps students discover their significance within God's redemptive story. The ministry values gospel-centered teaching, connection to local churches, and the development of next-generation leaders who will sustain and strengthen the church for decades to come. What distinguishes RUF at UCLA is its commitment to lived graciousness, celebration, and authentic discipleship. The organization operates with the conviction that God is actively renewing all things and invites students into that redemptive work. Staff members like Campus Minister Matthew Trexler and Campus Staff members bring personal investment and pastoral presence to student life. The ministry extends beyond campus gatherings to include connection with the broader RUF family, which operates on college campuses across the United States and internationally. For UCLA students in Los Angeles seeking a faith community that takes Scripture seriously, values genuine relationships, and prepares them for faithful living beyond graduation, Reformed University Fellowship offers a welcoming home grounded in biblical truth and pastoral care.