Refuge Martin is a fairly new student organization on the UT Martin campus.
Refuge is an uncut Bible study held in Martin every Thursday at the University of Tennessee at Martin campus. Each week the organization gets into depth teachings of faith and how to live a maximized life in Christ Jesus.
The Bible studies are told by Pastor Del, better know as Mr. Del.
This is the second year that the ministry has been around. Mr. Del is very pleased with the success and growth, not only in numbers of the members that are growing but also in the students’ spiritual walk and maturity.
Del states with much enthusiasm, “I see the students coming into a spiritual awareness that will provoke change and bring purpose and prosperity to their lives and reaching back to help others.”
Mr. Del is a rapper, song-writer and producer. He has been in the music ministry for ten years, being a former member of the Oscar winning group Three-Six Mafia. Mr. Del re-dedicated his life to Christ in 2000 and he was ordained in 2001. Also in 2001, he founded City of Refuge Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Del has dedicated his life and his ministry to the youth, specifically the Hip-Hop generation. It is his belief that if “we can reach one child, that child can reach another.”
Del speaks the Word of God and is not afraid to be controversial. His way of delivering the message has captivated and transformed many lives. He has traveled the United States using music as his tool to alter the lives of listeners.
“The Bible study has helped me get back on track with God and keep him as my focus in life. My grades have improved. I’m less stressed and everything just seems to happen in my favor. This Bible study really opens your eyes to all the wonders of the Bible and all God wants us to have and Pastor Del shows how simple it is to receive all of what God has for us. I love the simplicity, organization and the realness of it. I’m not being preached “at” I’m being preached “to.” This is an over-all warming and God fulfilled organization,” says UTM junior Marisa Franklin.
Every week Mr. Del incorporates the Refuge Bible study into his already hectic schedule.
Many people may wonder why Mr. Del drives four hours every week from Memphis to Martin and Del says, “I have always been on an assignment since the day I left the group (Three-Six Mafia). I am a man of meditation and prayer and in that time God had been dealing with me about my generation and going to colleges. So Martin was put on my heart to come to. So I did and people were blessed!”
Del does not put someone in a typical church setting and neither does he preach about religion or preach towards the person. He simply teaches the Word of God in a way that can be understood by many. He has defiantly caught the attention of the students in Martin.
“Refuge has been good to me because of the simple fact that unlike in church I don’t have to feel ashamed to sometimes say what’s on my mind. Personally I’m a very quiet person and I enjoy the Bible study because Mr. Del speaks to us on our level, but at the same time he breaks it down using the Bible. I think people should join because it’s like a family away from your family, and they always love to talk to you after Bible study. I mean you can even Facebook or call them. But seriously this Bible study is hands down the best group on this campus besides Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), ” says 23 year old UTM senior Damon Dukes.
Refuge is also a student organization at the University of Memphis campus and Mr. Del travels to many campuses to teach the word of God. In five years, Refuge will be the largest college ministry in Tennessee! The weekly meetings take place Thursdays at 7 in the UC rooms 238 A, B, & C.
