International Friendships

Campus Ministry Teams - IFI works to serve, teach, and mentor an increasing number of international students, scholars, and their families out of love for Jesus. Funds appropriated for Campus Ministry are used to facilitate these activities in order to see God's love extended globally in partnership with spiritually vibrant international students. During the year the campus ministry staff, in collaboration with volunteers and churches, organized social, cultural, and spiritual activities that served approximately 5000 international students and scholars on 42 university campuses in the U.S.

Partnering with Churches and Volunteers - IFI works with churches to help them fulfill their desire to love the stranger and impact the world by providing a means for them to practice Biblical hospitality. IFI has over 145 church partners and 1,240 active volunteers. IFI staff members work closely with volunteers from local churches to provide various services that address the social, cultural, and spiritual interests and needs of international students and scholars. The objectives for engaging churches and volunteers are: 1) train them in fulfilling God's command to love the strangers among us in practical ways short-term and 2) serve as a bridge between people interested in impacting people in other countries and their opportunity to impact people from others countries while they are here locally.

Services to International Students and Scholars - IFI staff and volunteers conduct English Conversation Clubs and provide conversation partners to help international students and scholars and their spouses improve their English speaking and listening skills and help them navigate the complexities of American language and culture. IFI also provides internships for recently graduated, spiritually vibrant international students during their OPT year. IFI finds housing and/or employment for some of these student leaders involved in internships, and takes internationals to conferences about following Jesus to encourage their spiritual growth and develop deeper friendships.