November 5, 2026
Not Just on Sunday
Lonetta McKee
Ministries & Organizations
Columbia
Restoration Movement ministries, missions, colleges and organizations.
2 organizations
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Independent Christian ChurchNext Step MinistriesNext Step Ministries leads Christ-centered youth mission trips that connect student discipleship, worship, service projects, and…Independent Christian Church · Missions
Next Step Ministries
Next Step Ministries — Organization Profile Next Step Ministries is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that leads youth mission trips where short-term missions connect with long-term community development. Since 2007, the organization has focused on helping middle school and high school…
Next Step Ministries — Organization Profile Next Step Ministries is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that leads youth mission trips where short-term missions connect with long-term community development. Since 2007, the organization has focused on helping middle school and high school students take next steps in faith through service, worship, discipleship, and responsible mission experiences. The ministry is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and serves churches and student groups through mission trip locations across the United States and Guatemala. Current trip locations include Fairbanks, Alaska; Cheyenne River, South Dakota; Columbia, South Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Knoxville, Tennessee; Boston, Massachusetts; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elliott County, Kentucky; San Augustine, Texas; and Sumpango, Guatemala. Next Step Ministries operates…
Next Step Ministries — Organization Profile
Next Step Ministries is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that leads youth mission trips where short-term missions connect with long-term community development. Since 2007, the organization has focused on helping middle school and high school students take next steps in faith through service, worship, discipleship, and responsible mission experiences.
The ministry is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and serves churches and student groups through mission trip locations across the United States and Guatemala. Current trip locations include Fairbanks, Alaska; Cheyenne River, South Dakota; Columbia, South Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Knoxville, Tennessee; Boston, Massachusetts; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Elliott County, Kentucky; San Augustine, Texas; and Sumpango, Guatemala.
Next Step Ministries operates through one-week mission trips designed for youth groups, with other groups and families also welcomed. The organization describes its model as “summer camp with service projects and missions outreach.” Each trip includes service projects selected with community partners, evening worship, teaching, group discussion, and intentional time for students to process what they are learning about faith, service, and community.
A key distinctive of Next Step Ministries is its commitment to community-led service projects tied to sustainable local initiatives. Rather than choosing projects apart from local context, Next Step works alongside community members, churches, and nonprofit partners. Project types vary by location and may include construction, home repair, wheelchair ramps, drywall, siding, flooring, outreach, and other community development work based on local needs.
The ministry also invests in programming beyond the worksite. Its Programming and Worship emphasis includes original video series, evening messages, worship, and group discussion resources. Its Stay Connected resources are designed to help students continue spiritual growth after the one-week trip ends. Next Step also offers paid summer internships in areas such as youth ministry and leadership, construction, worship and programming, missions, and media.
Churches and individuals can engage with Next Step Ministries by registering for mission trips, applying for summer staff internships, giving to support mission work, connecting with the staff team, or using the organization’s resources to help students grow beyond the trip week. Its distinct contribution is combining student discipleship, responsible short-term missions, worship, leadership development, and year-round community partnership.
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Independent Christian ChurchInternational Friendship MinistriesInternational Friendship Ministries serves international students and scholars through Christian hospitality, English practice, weekly dinners, friendship…Independent Christian Church · Missions
International Friendship Ministries
International Friendship Ministries — Organization Profile International Friendship Ministries, also known as IFM, is a Christian ministry based in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Raj Aluri, the ministry began after his own experience as an international student…
International Friendship Ministries — Organization Profile International Friendship Ministries, also known as IFM, is a Christian ministry based in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Raj Aluri, the ministry began after his own experience as an international student from India studying at the University of South Carolina. IFM seeks to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to international students through sincere friendship, service, hospitality, practical help, and connections with local Christians. The organization’s core focus is serving international students, scholars, their families, and foreign-born people by connecting them with Christian friendship, practical assistance, English practice, Bible study opportunities, and local church relationships. IFM’s giving site describes its goal as educating, encouraging, training, helping, and involving local churches in…
International Friendship Ministries — Organization Profile
International Friendship Ministries, also known as IFM, is a Christian ministry based in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Raj Aluri, the ministry began after his own experience as an international student from India studying at the University of South Carolina. IFM seeks to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to international students through sincere friendship, service, hospitality, practical help, and connections with local Christians.
The organization’s core focus is serving international students, scholars, their families, and foreign-born people by connecting them with Christian friendship, practical assistance, English practice, Bible study opportunities, and local church relationships. IFM’s giving site describes its goal as educating, encouraging, training, helping, and involving local churches in ministry to internationals, with the aim of spreading the gospel among international students, scholars, families, and foreign-born people in local communities.
IFM serves from Columbia, South Carolina, especially near the University of South Carolina campus, while its history also includes outreach to international students and scholars across a much wider geographic scope. The ministry reports that since 1981 it has reached international students and scholars from more than 150 countries who studied on more than 750 college and university campuses in 48 contiguous states and Hawaii. Its history page also notes branch ministry activity in Orlando, Florida, and Bloomington, Indiana.
The ministry operates through weekly dinners, English conversation and lessons, programs, tours, holiday events, practical help, friendship connections, and volunteer service. IFM hosts Friday night dinners during the school year, followed by classes where international students can interact with Americans and practice English. It also offers special events such as welcome banquets, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s, and Easter gatherings, along with hospitality tours to places in South Carolina and other U.S. destinations.
A distinctive part of International Friendship Ministries’ work is using Christian hospitality and local church relationships to help internationals adjust to American life while encountering the love of Christ. IFM provides practical help such as rides to stores, help moving furniture, conversational English support, and access to Bible studies or international classes in local churches for those who want to learn more about the Bible and Christianity. The ministry’s office at 610 Pickens Street is located near the University of South Carolina campus and provides a space for students and scholars to study, meet, and connect.
People can engage with IFM by giving financially, volunteering, teaching or helping with English classes, supporting weekly meals and events, serving through local churches, joining friendship and hospitality efforts, or contacting the ministry directly. Supporters can give through IFM’s online giving site, contact the office, or participate in the ministry’s ongoing work of welcoming internationals with friendship, practical service, and Christian witness.
