Restored Church Raleigh Faces Allegations of Aggressive Campus Proselytizing at N.C. State (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Restored Church Raleigh, a non-denominational Christian group, has become a notable presence on North Carolina State University’s campus. The church, composed of young and passionate evangelists, has been actively recruiting students since August by approaching them in high-traffic areas with the question, “Do you want to join a Bible study?” This approach has drawn attention due to the group’s aggressive proselytizing tactics, which are reminiscent of a broader religious movement known for similar methods in the 1990s.

By 2000, at least 39 colleges and universities reportedly banned the ministry for soliciting or harassing students, including Meredith College in Raleigh and Queens University in Charlotte. Restored Church Raleigh, while not directly linked to those past incidents, has sparked concern among some students and parents due to its methods. Former members at N.C. State have described the church as targeting vulnerable first-year students, pressuring them to be baptized and isolating them from friends and family. One former attendee likened the experience to feeling “cult-like.”

In September, two students and a parent filed complaints with local police, according to documents obtained by The Assembly through a public records request. The university, N.C. State, acknowledged awareness of the church but did not provide further comment. The ministry, which was part of the International Christian Church during its campus activities in August and September, split into Restored Church Raleigh in October, with many of the same individuals continuing their efforts at the university.

Restored Church Raleigh holds its Sunday services at N.C. State, often in the student union, where members cheer when lead evangelist Ashton Hughes begins his sermons. The church records and posts these sermons online, and members occasionally respond with “amen” or “c’mon bro.” Hughes, 26, identifies as a “hollaback preacher,” encouraging energetic participation from the audience. His wife, Kara Hughes, also 26, is involved in the ministry.

The church does not have its own building, relying on campus spaces for its activities. Brayden Wilkins, an N.C. State first-year student and former attendee, described the group as preying on students who are unfamiliar with the Bible and the expectations of the church. He warned that involvement could be mentally and financially dangerous. The church’s approach has raised questions about its methods and the impact on students, though it has not provided public comment on these concerns.

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