Students of all religions are welcome at Rutgers. As a public university, Rutgers is dedicated to supporting an inclusive community, where freedom of religious expression is protected and encouraged. Our campus is home to students of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and many other faiths and traditions. Rutgers supports an open forum for religious life through:
- more than 40 student organizations dedicated to religious and religious-cultural interests
- more than 25 recognized chaplaincies serving students’ spiritual needs
- a Multifaith Council that promotes an inclusive atmosphere for the pursuit of intellectual and spiritual truths
Download our Multifaith Council brochure here.
The Multifaith Council exists to promote and enhance Rutgers University’s mission of educating the whole person. The Multifaith Council seeks to create an atmosphere in which groups and individuals affiliated with the University are engaged in the active pursuit of intellectual and spiritual truths.
Registration for 2023-2024 Academic Year is open. Please have all information submitted by July 1, 2023.
Interfaith Prayer/Meditation Rooms on Campus
The Interfaith Youth Core, a non-profit aimed at interfaith cooperation and collaboration on college campuses has championed the creation of interfaith prayer/meditation spaces to accommodate student’s needs. They say, “Embracing religious diversity on campus means accommodating the spiritual needs of students not only through staffing and programming, but also through architectural spaces that accommodate a variety of religious, spiritual, and ethical practices. Interfaith spaces are a visible symbol of an institution’s commitment to welcoming religious diversity, and whether large or small can provide support to diverse students. Interfaith spaces communicate inclusivity, support of a religiously diverse student population, and foster a campus’s commitment to pluralism. In addition, these spaces bring together religiously diverse students and value the spiritual practices of the student population. Finally, by being inclusive of non-religious students, the space can create an opportunity for students who do not identify with a particular tradition to find opportunities to gather and reflect.
Locations:
- Busch Campus:
- Busch Student Center 177
- Library of Science and Medicine, Room 301B
- Paul Robeson Cultural Center, in front of computer lab
- Pharmacy Building, Meditation Room across from room 111
- College Ave Campus
- Archibald S. Alexander Library, Room 343
- Douglass Campus:
- Douglass Student Center, Room 108E
- Busch Student Center 177
- Downtown, New Brunswick Campus
- Mason Gross School of Arts and Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy), Civic Square Building, Room 2222
- Livingston Campus
- James Dickson Carr Library, Room 011
- Livingston Student Center (includes ablution station)
Chaplaincy and Affiliated Congregations
Affiliated Congregations — is a place of worship in the New Brunswick/Piscataway area. These places of worship do not have staff on campus serving in a Chaplain role, but rather wish to promote their services to the Rutgers community.
- All Nations Mission Church
All Nations Mission Church
Contact: Brian Kim
100 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901- Christ Community
Christ Community Church
christcommunitynj.com
Contact: Dennis Cahill
1347 Stelton Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854- First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens
First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens
Contact: Keenan Thomas
727 Franklin Blvd, Suite 3
Somerset, NJ 08873- Grace Community Chapel of NJ
Grace Community Chapel of NJ
Contact: Timothy Joo
Website: http://www.gccnj.org
260 Elm Ave
Teaneck, NJ 07666- Gracepoint Church
Gracepoint
Contact: Joe Song
Website: https://www.gracepointonline.org/new-brunswick-nj
Mailing Address: 1297 Centennial Ave. Ste 5-164
Piscataway, NJ 08854- Greenhouse Church
Greenhouse Church
Contact: David Suh
Website: http://greenhousechurch.us
572 Ryders Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816- Jehovah’s Witnesses Campus Ministry
Jehovah’s Witnesses Campus Ministry
Website: jw.org
Contact: Sean Shields
119 Selbey Ct
Somerset, NJ 08873- New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene
New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene
Contact: Chris Buss
Website: http://newbeginningsedison.org
80 Jefferson Blvd.
Edison, NJ 08817- New Brunswick Friends (Quaker) Meeting
New Brunswick Friends (Quaker) Meeting
Contact: Laura Cisar
Website: https://www.newbrunswickfriends.org/
109 Nichol Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901- Oasis Church
Oasis Church
Website: oasis-church-nj.com
Contact:David Butler
14 Beverly Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854- Pray Over Us
Website: https://www.prayoverus.com
Contact: Paul Ireifej
The world's first social network for prayer. Post a prayer request and other members can pray for you. We generate a custom-made and unique prayer for each request posted. You just click a button and send the prayer. We also hold live online rosary prayer sessions on a regular basis with our unique interface that presents all prompts so no knowledge or preparation is required.
- Second Reformed Church
College Ave Community Church
Website: secondreformednb.org
Contact: Rev. Douglass Shepler
100 College Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901- The Tabernacle Church
The Tabernacle Church
Website: thetabernacle.com
Contact: Dan Knight
1253 New Market Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills
Website: uucsh.org
Contact: Christopher Buja
123 East Cliff Street
Somerville, NJ 08876- Zion Hill Baptist Church
Zion Hill Baptist Church
Contact: Michell
522 Greenbrook Road
North Plainfield, NJ 07063
Chaplaincies
A member of the Religious Life Council and registered with the Off-Campus Living &Community Partnerships. Recognized chaplaincies have staff on campus serving in a chaplain role along with student representatives appointed to enhance representation of the religious diversity on campus.
- Alpha Omega
Alpha Omega
Website: facebook.com/hope4nj
Contact: Pedro Delgado
Alpha Omega serves as the Campus Ministry of the Central Jersey Church of Christ — a non-denominational church and fellowship of believers who love God and each other. We believe that the Bible is the word of God and is a marvelous guide for daily living. We appreciate the forgiveness that comes through Jesus Christ and are eager to share the blessings he provides.- Athletes in Action
Athletes in Action
Contact: Tyler Stowell
Website: http://athletesinaction.org
AIA exists to be a spiritual resource to the athletes, coaches, staff & families of the RU athletic department. We would love to serve you by connecting you to like minded people on campus as well as a local church in the area.- Canterbury House: The Episcopal Church at Rutgers
Canterbury House: The Episcopal Church at Rutgers
http://episcopal.rutgers.edu
Contact: Scott Russell- Catholic Center
Catholic Center
Website: https://rutgerscatholic.org
Contact: Patrick Reilly
We’re a down-to-earth, relevant, fun-loving, God-centered, welcoming group on campus who genuinely want to grow in their faith! We’re an active student group at Rutgers University, the Catholic Student Association, who meet every week. We also have a TON of awesome activities, and frankly have more fun than good, honest people should be allowed to have! From intramurals to socials to service trips to life-changing retreats, there’s something for everyone here at the Catholic Center!- Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University
Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University
http://www.cilru.org
Contact: Atiya Aftab- Chabad House Jewish Student Center at Rutgers
Chabad House Jewish Student Center at Rutgers
Contact: Rabbi Baruch Goodman
Chabad Jewish Student Center at Rutgers is a home away from home for thousands of Jewish students, a campus place to meet new friends, a warm and exciting place to celebrate Jewish holidays, a happening Jewish nightclub with live entertainment and good food, a center to experience the fun and spirituality of Judaism, a weekend social spot to have home-cooked Friday Night Shabbat Dinners, no experience necessary, with over 500 fellow Jewish students every week!- Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
Website: rutgerschialpha.com
Contact: Brian Adams- Cornerstone: Chinese Christian Church in Somerset
Cornerstone: Chinese Christian Church in Somerset
Website: cornerstoneministry.info
Contact: Jeff Whisman
Cornerstone is a ministry of the Chinese Christian Church in Somerset designed to meet the spiritual needs of university students and their peers. We are an independent, evangelical Christian church in central New Jersey made up of culturally diverse members. We worship God, exemplify biblical truth, foster Christian fellowship, proclaim the gospel, and equip disciples for community service and missionary endeavors.- Cru
Cru
Website: rutgerscru.com
Contact: Tommy Waters
Cru is an international ministry that desires to be a caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus.- Grace Community Chapel of NJ
Grace Community Chapel of NJ
http://www.gccnj.org
Contact: Timothy Joo- Campus Light College Church
Campus Light College Church
Contact: Jonathan Kim
Website: https://www.gracepointonline.org/new-brunswick-nj
Mailing Address: 1297 Centennial Ave. Ste 5-164
Piscataway, NJ 08854Mission:
Campus Light Church is a church for college students located on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. We are a recognized chaplaincy and an affiliated congregation of Rutgers University. If you are a college student looking to grow in your faith or investigate Christianity, we invite you to join us. Please check our website for service times and locations! - Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR)
Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR)
Website: ihf-njny.org
Contact: Surendra Parampalli
To share among seekers spirituality as a genuine science based on reason, logic and ancient wisdom literatures of the world and India in particular.
- Hindu Chaplaincy
Hindu Chaplaincy
Website: hindustudentcouncil.orgContact: Dipal Pandya
The Hindu Chaplaincy at Rutgers is here to provide students and others within the academic community with a safe space to connect and build meaningful relationships with Parmatma (God) building a strong foundation for the trials and tribulations that Life holds ahead based on Vedic Dharma. Learn about Hindu heritage and culture by engaging in rich discussions, while also raising awareness about a timeless tradition and culture. The Chaplaincy aims to offer spiritual guidance to empower the community through knowledge and practice of the eternal wisdom of Hindu teachings to help tackle modern issues. Dipal Pandya, the Hindu Chaplain, can relate with the young adults as he has studied in the US School system from 7th grade to college and then moved to India to tread on the path of spiritual enlightenment. He runs an Ashram in Matawan, NJ and is on campus to offer his services.
- International Friends at Rutgers
International Friends at Rutgers
Contact: David Mannon
International Friends at Rutgers is a Christian campus ministry promoting friendships between international students and residents of the United States. We are focused on helping students make the adjustment to American culture and experience an accurate perception of the US and its people. Our mission is to befriend every international student at Rutgers, allow them to experience the love of Jesus Christ and equip them to serve Christ.- InterVarsity Multi-Ethnic Christian Fellowship
InterVarsity Multi-Ethnic Christian Fellowship
http://ruivmef.weebly.com
Contact: Kevin Calkins- Jewish Xperience
Jewish Xperience
Website: Rutgersjx.com
Contact: Meir Goldberg
To empower and educate Jewish students at Rutgers and to create a community where students can come together to celebrate their Jewish heritage through impactful programs, shabbatons, trips to Israel, etc.- Jireh, Rutgers Korean Campus Ministry
Jireh, Rutgers Korean Campus Ministry
Contact: Heejun Shim- Oasis Church
Oasis Church
Website: Oasis-Church-NJ.com
Contact: Dave Butler
We are a Christian fellowship of students from all backgrounds looking to develop a fun, welcoming environment in which Christians and non-Christians alike can grow closer to God and each other as we serve our community and strengthen our faith through acts of mercy. Oasis Sunday worship experiences are at 100 College Ave @ 10am (all age groups) and 12 Noon. The later gathering called ROC is student led. Come meet new friends!- Orthodox Christian Campus Ministries
Orthodox Christian Campus Ministries
Website: occm.rutgers.edu
Contact: Fr. John Rizkalla
The Orthodox Christian Campus Ministries is the official national campus organization of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the United States of America. This organization connects students in an atmosphere that promotes Christian unity and support. The Orthodox Christian Campus Ministry also focuses on guiding a person’s wellbeing, including their mind, body, spirit, and purpose. Each chapter encourages students to maintain a life of peace and success.- R8
R8
Website: http://ec.rccc.org/ministries/r8-college-ministry/
Contact: Andrew Yuen
We are Rutgers students gathering in God’s love and truth. In here, we support and encourage each other. In here, we read the bible together and seek the meaning of life. In here, we learn about the truth and experience the love of Jesus Christ. In here, we enjoy delicious home cooking. We sincerely invite you to join us, to grow and to achieve your American dream together!- Ratio Christi at Rutgers
Ratio Christi at Rutgers
Website: ratiochristi.org
Contact: Vasilios Avramidis
Ratio Christi at Rutgers aims to strengthen the faith of Christian students and faculty by equipping them to give reasons and evidence for their beliefs, to offer skeptics answers to their objections to the truth claims of Christianity, and to host campus wide events featuring Christian thinkers (apologists, scientists, and philosophers) in lectures and forums. Our goal is to represent the intellectual viability of the Christian worldview.- Rutgers Buddhist Community
Rutgers Buddhist Community
Contact: Kurt Spellmeyer- Rutgers Hillel
Rutgers Hillel
Website: RutgersHillel.org
Contact: Rabbi Esther Reed
Rutgers Hillel’s mission is to provide opportunities for every Jewish student at Rutgers University’s New Brunswick campus to deepen their connection to Jewish identity and Jewish community. Hillel embraces this mission by helping students find a balance in being distinctively Jewish and universally human by encouraging them to pursue tzedek (social justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world) and Jewish learning, and to support Israel and global Jewish peoplehood.- Rutgers Protestant Campus Ministry
Rutgers Protestant Campus Ministry
Contact: Rev. Kirk Johnson- Wesley Fellowship at Rutgers
The Well - United Methodist Chaplaincy at Rutgers
Contact: Skitch Matson
A Christ-centered, radically inclusive and justie seeking campus ministry at Rutgers University.- Young Life
Young Life
Website: https://rutgersylcollege.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx
Contact: Luke WaltermireYoung Life at Rutgers is a community of people all about becoming friends, having fun, living a life of adventure, and talking about things that really matter. We believe that great friendships and relationships are essential to flourish in college. Want to check out what we’re doing? We have a big event every other Tuesday night in the College Ave Student Center at 9:04PM! Sometimes it’s a “Club” meeting with live music, sometimes it’s a Trivia Night, sometimes it’s a Friendsgiving, and sometimes it’s something we haven’t even invented yet! Want more info? Follow us on Instagram @rutgers_yl or text the word @rutgersyl to the phone number 81010 to get texts every time we do something! Everyone is welcome!
Faith-Based Organizations
For a complete list of current faith-based organizations at Rutgers - New Brunswick, visit here.
