International Friendships · Church Partnership
Your church.
Their home away from home.
1.1 million international students are in America right now. Most will never be invited into an American home. Your congregation can change that, with meals, friendship, rides, and practical help.
1.1M
international students in the U.S.
58+
IFI campus partnerships
183
church partners
1,153
volunteers serving
40+
years equipping churches
Church-owned · IFI-supported
Your congregation leads. IFI equips.
This ministry belongs to your church. A volunteer leader and a small core team carry it, not IFI staff, and not your pastor alone. Your pastor champions it; IFI provides the framework, training, and ongoing support.
You don't need a missions budget or a theology degree. You need a hospitable spirit and a few people willing to open their lives.
A volunteer leader & core team
3–5 people who carry the day-to-day.
A pastor who champions it
Endorses and blesses the work.
IFI's framework & training
40+ years of know-how, at your side.
Partnership tiers
Start free. Add support when you're ready.
Every tier is church-owned. Donations to the partner tiers are suggested, never required.
Ways to serve
Nine ways your volunteers can make a difference.
Before you begin: every volunteer completes IFI's cultural sensitivity training before engaging with students.
International students near you
See the opportunity in your state.
Pick your state to see roughly how many international students study nearby, and a few of the campuses where they gather.
Select a state above to see how many international students study nearby.
Where they gather
No data available for this state.
Figures are approximate, drawn from IIE Open Doors data (opendoorsdata.org).
The journey
Six phases of church ISM.
A simple path from first prayer to sending students home. The Toolkit walks you through each phase in month-by-month detail.
SPARK
Start with calling, prayer, and the right people.
CONNECT
Understand your campus, students, and context.
WELCOME
Meet students where they already are.
ACCOMPANY
Use hospitality to create belonging.
EMPOWER
Create space for honest faith conversations.
SUSTAIN
Prepare students well for what comes next.
About IFI
40+ years equipping churches to welcome the world.
International Friendships, Inc. is a national nonprofit that has walked alongside churches and students for four decades. We don't replace your ministry; we help it flourish.
Visit ifiusa.org"I felt like I could trust these people and ask them for whatever I needed."
Ilaria · IFI student
Why ISM?
The mission field came to your doorstep.
No passport required
The nations are studying minutes from your church.
No fundraising campaign
Hospitality, not budgets, is the main ingredient.
Volunteer-led, pastor-endorsed
Owned by your people, blessed by your leadership.
Students become global leaders
Today's friendship shapes tomorrow's leaders worldwide.
Active partner locations
Churches are already welcoming students here.
Your congregation's next mission starts here.
Start with the free guide, or talk with IFI about partnering. Either way, you don't have to do this alone.