RCW / Campus Ministry Information

The Restored Church Worldwide (RCW) is a global family of churches with a vision of restoring biblical Christianity and taking the gospel to all nations in this generation. The RCW is non-denominational, holding to the Bible as its doctrinal standard, and welcomes people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.

LIFE On Campus, which stands for Living in Faith Everyday, is the campus ministry sponsored by the RCW. It offers students small-group Bible discussions, devotionals, and guided Personal Bible Studies (PBS) built entirely around the Bible, so students can examine the Scriptures for themselves and grow in their relationship with God.

Much of the information below is drawn from Mike Patterson’s book, So You Want to Study the Bible?, which answers common questions students and families have about the ministry. This book is usually given to students studying the Bible or their parents.

So You Want to Study the Bible?

Everything you need to know about studying the Bible with LIFE On Campus and the Restored Church Worldwide (RCW). By Mike Patterson, D.Min.

Copyright © 2024 Mike Patterson. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® (NIV®), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

“LIFE On Campus” is a campus ministry sponsored by the Restored Church Worldwide (RCW). Depending on what college you are on, the campus ministry may use various names (ie “Christian Club,” “DREAM,” “Disciples of Jesus,” etc.). The students in RCW who form a student organization usually come up with their own club name. For the sake of consistency, we will use the club name “LIFE On Campus.” Members of the church started the campus ministry student organization to provide a fellowship for our church’s students based on the Bible. LIFE stands for Living in Faith Every Day. LIFE On Campus and the RCW are non-denominational, holding to the Bible as our doctrinal standard.

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Introduction: Personal Bible Studies

Unique to LIFE On Campus is that we offer small group Bible discussions and devotionals and do “Personal Bible Studies” (PBS). PBS is where true spiritual growth occurs. Seven guided Bible studies help students see where they are with their spiritual journey and the steps they can take to grow in their relationship with God.

Each Bible study in the PBS series is around an hour long and taught by one of our trained Bible Teachers. Students can also become Bible Teachers upon completing our “First Principles Class.” The Bible study usually has a Bible Teacher, another LIFE member taking notes, and others who want to join and know the student studying the Bible, to build friendship and discipleship.

“As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:10-12)

The test of any religious organization, faith group, or minister is whether what they teach aligns with the Bible. Even the Berean Jews made sure that Paul’s teaching matched Scripture. Each student receives notes that have all the scriptures studied. Students are encouraged to study the scriptures on their own to make sure what is being taught is from the Bible. Sadly, in today’s time, there are many religions, cults, and denominations not based on the Bible.

The PBS is done according to the student’s schedule. Some students sign up to do what we call the “Jesus Week Challenge,” where they set aside an hour a day for a week to do Bible study and complete the series. If this is decided, you must have a great plan to ensure your academics do not take a back seat. We at LIFE believe that pursuing a relationship with God should result in better academics. Please tell your Bible Teacher if you feel the studies are too much or your academic life needs more attention.

This handbook will answer frequently asked questions or concerns that may come up during the Bible studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing concerns about the student organization LIFE On Campus and the sponsoring church, the Restored Church Worldwide (RCW). This section was originally compiled from a previous discipling ministry fellowship by an unknown author at the now-defunct website UpCyberDown and has been updated by Dr. Mike Patterson.

Who Are We?

In a day and age where everything is posted online through blogs, reels, and news, access to information is more readily available than ever. Unfortunately, many are prone to believe whatever we read or see without proper research.

“The first to put forth his case seems right, until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him.” (Proverbs 18:17)

The church that supports LIFE On Campus has a polarizing history. The Restored Church Worldwide (RCW) is a global church family with a vision of restoring biblical Christianity and taking the gospel to all nations in this generation. We are a family of Christian churches whose members are committed to living their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. We read and strive to abide by the entire Bible and hold it to be inspired and inerrant. We expect every member to be a disciple of Christ as defined in his teachings. The RCW was formed when members of a group of churches called the International Christian Church (ICC) separated from the ICC, not believing they were a healthy place to worship. Therefore, we are not affiliated with the International Church of Christ (ICOC) or the International Christian Church (ICC). Legally, we are separate entities with no connection, which can be verified by looking up our non-profit status. In 2024, the RCW began with around 1,500 members when leaders of the ICC called a devotional to announce leaving the ICC because of corrupt leadership and practices that drifted from the Bible. The RCW, as of this writing, has thousands of members around the world.

The RCW was built on the revolutionary and biblical conviction that every person must first decide to become a disciple of Jesus and then be baptized. The Biblical Greek word for church is “ecclesia,” which means “the called out.” Today, we are an international family of churches rapidly spreading to all nations worldwide. We have been called out from religious mediocrity, spiritual error, atheism, and agnosticism, into a meaningful, vibrant relationship with God. Our congregations now reflect the diversity of the cities and nations where we have planted churches. Worldwide, people of all races, ages, and cultures attend our worship services weekly. These services are true celebrations, for the life of a disciple of Christ is the most joyful one we know. Truly, it is as Jesus said, “life to the full!” (John 10:10)

What Makes the RCW Unique?

Several things make us unique. First, we are committed to continually searching the Bible for truth about our lives and God’s will for us as His church. Second, we believe and expect every church member to be fully committed to living according to that truth. These convictions, as straightforward as they may seem, do not characterize the convictions of most of the religious world around us. Many of these convictions that have been lost in modern-day Christendom revolve around topics such as repentance, discipleship, baptism, and church government. They are the original convictions the early church held in the first century that are being restored today and helping so many find Jesus worldwide.

Another unique quality of our churches is the diversity found in our fellowship. Sadly, it has been observed that Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week for most Americans. Most churches only talk about diversity; we live it. We believe that any religious group that allows racial, social, or economic segregation does not reflect the unity and love of God our Father and, therefore, cannot be the true church of Jesus Christ. God’s true church comprises all kinds of people, coming together as one body to share one common love.

What Is Our Mission?

Jesus said in Luke 19:10 that he came “to seek and save what was lost.” Because of this purpose, he commanded his disciples:

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Therefore, as disciples of Jesus, our mission is to make disciples of all nations. Jesus mapped out his plan for world evangelism in Acts 1:8, when the church started in 29 AD, and the early church spread the gospel to the known world of their time. The apostle Paul writes around 60 to 62 AD that the world had been evangelized, meaning every person in the known world had heard about the church and Jesus (Colossians 1:6, 23). Our mission and motivating vision are the same as those of the early church: to evangelize the nations in our generation. College ministry is key to finding passionate student disciples who want to help carry out Jesus’ vision.

Who Attends the RCW?

We welcome all kinds of people! People of all ages, cultures, economic levels, religious backgrounds, and histories are made to feel welcome in our fellowship. Visitors often comment on the racial diversity in our membership and leadership. In a day when younger people are abandoning traditional religion, people are also impressed with the large numbers of vibrant youth and college students in our churches. Our ministries reach students at major college campuses around the country.

The Religious World Seems to Be Plagued With Sexual and Financial Scandals. How Are You Different?

The Bible clearly states that church leaders must be people of character whose lives are worthy of respect and imitation. Therefore, we have the highest expectations of integrity and purity for those serving as leaders in the RCW. Ministers leading our groups are mandated reporters who have gone through extensive sexual abuse awareness training and background checks. Our leaders are trained to work with law enforcement and to report any situation that would ever come up in this area. Feel free to inquire for more information about our policies regarding mandated reporting.

Leaders in our church do not have extravagant lifestyles. All full-time workers, including the leadership of the RCW, are paid according to a standardized salary model for reasonableness and fairness, based on the average median income of where they live. Financial administrators, not ministry staff, manage our congregational finances, which means ministers have no authority to write checks or disburse funds. Each congregation’s financial and legal affairs are under the supervision of a corporate board composed of qualified members of the local churches.

The Bible teaches that no one is beyond temptation and sin, and leaders are no exception. All full-time leaders are expected to have people of strength, character, and integrity involved in their personal lives, to whom they are consistently accountable. While our leaders are committed disciples of Jesus, we realize they are human and, like all of us, still sin. As with any member, biblical counsel and discipline are available to help leaders in their struggles. With these safeguards in place, we hope to maintain a standard of conduct that will cause our churches to reflect God’s glory.

Do Your Church and Ministry Currently Have Lawsuits Filed Against It?

California passed legislation that extended the statute of limitations, permitting people who have suffered abuse to seek justice in situations that may have gone beyond the original statute of limitations. Lawsuits were then filed against the International Church of Christ (ICOC), which we are not affiliated with, and the International Christian Church, the church we split off from and are no longer affiliated with. These lawsuits are civil, not criminal, and the allegations are that leaders failed to report sexual crimes to authorities. We stand with any victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago, and pray for healing and closure regardless of whether they are affiliated with our churches or not. The RCW does not have any lawsuits currently in motion against it.

All leadership in the RCW is held to strict mandatory reporting practices, and our staff is required to go through sexual abuse and mandated reporting training. The RCW has one of the strongest vetting systems for church membership, with each potential member going through the Personal Bible Study series, which teaches Christian ethics and morality. Sadly, throughout Christian history, predators have sought out places like churches to commit horrendous crimes, and lawsuits like this are not unique to our church or to Christianity in general. Regardless of where any ongoing litigation ends up, we pray for anyone victimized to find healing and justice.

What Is the Role of Women in the Church?

Women should be as prominent and valued in our churches as they were in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was the greatest liberator of women the world has ever seen. In a time when women were commonly regarded as inferior, he treated all the women in his life with respect and dignity. We believe that Christian women have the same mission as men, to change the world by making disciples of Christ. While Scripture instructs us not to put women in positions of authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12), they are to serve beside men in the work of the gospel (Romans 16:1-16) and to function as powerful leaders of other women (Titus 2:3-4). While some of their roles may be different from men, women are viewed by God as equals to their male counterparts (Galatians 3:28). Adherence to these scriptures has produced a powerful women’s ministry that has given our women a sense of confidence and a place of influence.

How Are the RCW and LIFE On Campus Activities Funded?

The generous giving of individual members funds the activities of the RCW. Each Christian’s duty to give is spelled out in passages such as 2 Corinthians 9:1-12, and every member is expected to contribute sacrificially to the work of the church. In most of our congregations there are two types of contributions: a weekly contribution, at which time members are encouraged to tithe, giving ten percent of their income, with each member deciding how much they give; and a special missions contribution, which primarily supplies the needs of congregations in the developing world.

The RCW has no income from investments, real estate, or “front organizations.” Members’ offerings are the sole means of funding the work of both overseas missions and domestic churches. The majority of funds go to increase the number of ministry staff or to projects directly involved in ministering to people’s needs. The financial responsibilities of church membership are clearly taught before someone becomes a member, and a financial review of how funds are spent is done annually for the entire membership. Depending on the campus, LIFE On Campus is funded by the college where student organizations receive funds; if not, monies from the RCW are used to fund events and activities.

How Do You Help the Poor and Needy?

Just as Jesus had compassion for the poor and the sick, we teach and believe that all disciples should give of themselves to serve the poor where they live. A study of the Scriptures convinced us that this is an area of God’s will that can be largely neglected in many churches. Each church in our fellowship now reaches out to its community with various projects to help those less fortunate.

What Do You Expect of Your Members?

A member is someone who has gone through the Personal Bible Studies (PBS) and decided either to get baptized or to declare their membership if they are already baptized with a biblical baptism. We expect all of our members to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds and to love their neighbors as they love themselves (Matthew 22:37). All church members are disciples of Jesus who accept his teachings as a daily standard for life; we do not believe discipleship is optional. Every disciple must seek to develop a growing, personal relationship with God and minister to the needs of those around them (Romans 12:10; 1 John 3:16).

What Time Commitment Is Involved as a Member?

The average member of our fellowship is significantly more involved in the work of the church (Ephesians 4:16) than most people in the religious world at large. Generally speaking, there are about six hours of meetings per week, and members also spend time with their Christian friends in informal fellowship outside of the regular meetings. Is this excessive? We do not believe so. Most denominations hold several meetings per week, and the Bible tells us the early Christians were willing to meet daily (Acts 2:46). Christianity is a religion of action, a lifestyle of relationship to God and others. For anyone struggling with academics, our policy is to encourage them to cut back on activities to focus on school.

What Does the Term “Being Discipled” Mean?

Jesus taught his own disciples to go into the world and make other disciples. This discipling involved older or more mature disciples teaching and training young converts to become more like Jesus. Being “discipled” simply means getting input, advice, and teaching from people we know and respect so that each one of us can become more like Jesus. It does not mean that someone else makes our decisions for us, nor does it mean blindly doing whatever we are told. Discipling is based on relationships of trust, friendship, and closeness. In our churches, we work hard to ensure that all disciples have at least one person who helps them keep a Christ-like perspective and get the encouragement needed to live a Christian life. A discipleship partner does not hold authority over the person they are discipling and is not a trained pastoral role.

How Does Being a Member Help Other Areas of Life, Such as Career and Family?

God calls disciples to do their best at whatever they do (Colossians 3:23). For example, the Bible teaches disciples to be excellent employees: honest, eager, productive, and hard-working.

What Do You Say to the Charge That You Are a Cult?

The Restored Church Worldwide is no more a cult than the church that Jesus started, as described in the Bible. The word “cult” is a prejudicial label. One of the best definitions we have found identified three traits common to cults: (1) charismatic, authoritarian leaders who require absolute devotion and dictate how members think and act; (2) mind control and manipulation, including physical or psychological isolation from family and friends; and (3) misleading recruitment tactics, such as “love bombing” and the use of front names that mask group affiliation. Let us compare these three traits to the teaching and practice of the RCW.

Charismatic, authoritarian leaders. There is no person or group of people to whom the RCW requires, or would even allow, absolute devotion. Only God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit deserve and are given that. The acknowledged human leader of the RCW is Jason Dimitry, as of 2025, reflecting the biblical conviction of having a central leader and central leadership council to lead the churches (1 Corinthians 4:15-17; Titus 1:5). While the central leader is a talented and spiritual leader, he is not infallible and is not an apostle; he has a central leadership council for accountability and a shepherding couple who disciple his life and marriage. Only God, through his inspired written word, should dictate how we think and act.

Mind control and manipulation. Mind control implies intent to cause a person to do something against their will, which is the opposite of our goal. Following God must be a decision made from the heart (Matthew 22:37), not because one has been manipulated. Included in the Bible’s teaching is God’s expectation that every disciple honors his or her parents (Ephesians 6:2). Non-Christian friendships are encouraged unless those friends tempt the disciple back into a pre-Christian lifestyle of immorality (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Misleading recruitment tactics. Deceit is a sin condemned by Jesus (Mark 7:20-23). We do not use “front names” or try to hide who we are; our campus clubs, such as LIFE On Campus, are upfront about their association with the RCW. “Love bombing” is selectively loving someone to manipulate them, which is wrong on two counts. Christianity is the religion of love, and we believe in showing love to everyone, member or non-member (Matthew 22:39).

What, then, do we say to the charge that we are a cult? If the charge is the same as that leveled against the early church, we are glad to be identified with them (Acts 28:22). But if the charge is the same as that leveled against destructive extremist groups in our day, then we say, “No!” We are nothing more than disciples of Jesus Christ attempting to restore the movement that God began in the first century.

Family Concerns

Is Your Child Involved in This Group?

It can be scary when your son or daughter starts devoting so much time to a Christian group on campus. In documentaries, you will find tragic stories of dangerous religious cults, and it must be made clear that our church stands against such extremist groups as evil. In those cults, the objective is often to estrange the member from their physical family. It is our conviction that this is totally evil and against one of the most well-known of the Ten Commandments, to honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12).

Our Personal Bible Study series teaches us to love our families. Many scriptures teach that Jesus and His Kingdom should take priority above physical family, as Christ seeks to be first in all things, and putting Christ first makes one a more loving son or daughter, not an estranged one. LIFE On Campus and the RCW strive to be the church of the Bible, meaning students should become even more loving and close to their families and even better students in their academics. If one of our members struggles with academics, our policy is to encourage them to cut back on activities to focus on school.

Why Is My Child Getting Baptized Again, or Joining a Different Church?

Sometimes, through Bible study, students decide to get baptized again or join the sponsoring church. For the most part, parents are usually encouraged by their kids’ decisions. In rare cases, some parents are devastated, and it is not the purpose of this booklet to change your doctrinal beliefs. One scripture I hold onto as a parent is this:

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

As parents, it is hard to let go and watch our kids become adults and make their own decisions. It requires faith, trust, and unconditional love even when they make choices we disagree with. It is our policy to keep an open line of communication with parents. While we believe that college students are adults responsible for their decisions, we understand the value of keeping open communication with parents who may disagree with the church’s teachings or methods.

As a minister, I am grateful for parents. The students who join our ministry would not have the love for God they do if it were not for their parents’ upbringing at some level, and I always encourage students to recognize this and be thankful. Family life has to be a top priority. Husbands and wives are called to build the best marriages possible with God at the center, and parents should rear their children in an atmosphere of love, teaching them to love God and life. One of the greatest joys of our fellowship is seeing broken, hurting marriages mended and healed through the power of Christ’s love, and children and parents reunited through the forgiveness and hope that Jesus brings.