November 3, 2026
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International Student Ministry
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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.
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Independent Christian ChurchCrossroads International Student MinistriesCrossroads International Student Ministries equips churches and campus ministries to welcome, serve, and disciple international students…Independent Christian Church · Missions
Crossroads International Student Ministries
Crossroads International Student Ministries — Organization Profile Crossroads International Student Ministries (CISM) is a Christian ministry focused on international students and visiting scholars studying at colleges and universities in the United States. Its mission is to mobilize the church in…
Crossroads International Student Ministries — Organization Profile Crossroads International Student Ministries (CISM) is a Christian ministry focused on international students and visiting scholars studying at colleges and universities in the United States. Its mission is to mobilize the church in sharing Jesus’ love by serving and discipling international students coming to universities in the USA. The ministry helps churches, campus ministries, Bible colleges, seminaries, families, volunteers, and ministry leaders recognize the opportunity for global outreach on American campuses. CISM is based in Kearney, Nebraska, and its work serves university communities across the United States. The ministry emphasizes that more than one million international students and visiting scholars come to U.S. campuses from more than 220 countries, including countries where access…
Crossroads International Student Ministries — Organization Profile
Crossroads International Student Ministries (CISM) is a Christian ministry focused on international students and visiting scholars studying at colleges and universities in the United States. Its mission is to mobilize the church in sharing Jesus’ love by serving and discipling international students coming to universities in the USA. The ministry helps churches, campus ministries, Bible colleges, seminaries, families, volunteers, and ministry leaders recognize the opportunity for global outreach on American campuses.
CISM is based in Kearney, Nebraska, and its work serves university communities across the United States. The ministry emphasizes that more than one million international students and visiting scholars come to U.S. campuses from more than 220 countries, including countries where access to the gospel may be restricted. CISM’s work is designed to help local Christians welcome these students through friendship, hospitality, Bible study, cultural exchange, and discipleship.
The organization’s vision is to help establish 30 new international student ministries by 2030 on colleges and universities in the United States. Its stated objectives are to awaken, mobilize, equip, and network churches and leaders. This includes casting vision for international student outreach, helping churches identify ministry opportunities, recruiting workers, training leaders, and connecting paid staff and volunteers for encouragement, support, and resource sharing.
CISM’s ministry model includes consultation, conferences, retreats, training, campus connection, hospitality, and resource development. The organization offers to meet with universities, local congregations, and ministry leaders in person or by Zoom to dream, converse, and strategize about international student ministry. CISM also participates in national gatherings such as the International Conference on Missions and other campus ministry and mission-related conferences.
The ministry also helps international students connect with American students, families, and campus groups. Its materials describe opportunities for students to practice conversational English, share meals, learn about American culture, participate in holiday gatherings, meet other international students, and explore the Bible and Christianity in an understandable setting. CISM’s resources include materials such as Welcoming International Students Home, International Friends Journal, American Friend Handbook, No Passport Needed, and links to partner resources for discipleship and English-language outreach.
People can engage with Crossroads International Student Ministries by praying, giving financially, subscribing to updates, inviting CISM to consult with a church or university, attending or hosting training, serving international students through hospitality, joining retreats or conferences, using ministry resources, or contacting the ministry about getting involved. Donations may be made online, through PayPal Giving Fund, through Zeffy, or by check mailed to the Kearney, Nebraska post office box.
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Independent Christian ChurchChina Outreach MinistriesChina Outreach Ministries serves Chinese students and scholars at American universities through hospitality, practical support, Bible…Independent Christian Church · Missions
China Outreach Ministries
China Outreach Ministries — Organization Profile China Outreach Ministries (COM) is a Christian mission organization focused on international student ministry among Chinese students, scholars, researchers, and professionals studying or working in American university settings. The organization describes its mission as…
China Outreach Ministries — Organization Profile China Outreach Ministries (COM) is a Christian mission organization focused on international student ministry among Chinese students, scholars, researchers, and professionals studying or working in American university settings. The organization describes its mission as “Giving Christ to China’s Future Leaders” by sharing Christ’s love and truth, developing caring relationships, leading people to faith, discipling new believers, and preparing them to become multiplying Christian leaders. COM is based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and serves in university communities across the United States. Its listed campus locations include university communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,…
China Outreach Ministries — Organization Profile
China Outreach Ministries (COM) is a Christian mission organization focused on international student ministry among Chinese students, scholars, researchers, and professionals studying or working in American university settings. The organization describes its mission as “Giving Christ to China’s Future Leaders” by sharing Christ’s love and truth, developing caring relationships, leading people to faith, discipling new believers, and preparing them to become multiplying Christian leaders.
COM is based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and serves in university communities across the United States. Its listed campus locations include university communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Through these campus communities, COM serves Chinese students and scholars who are temporarily living in North America for study, research, or professional development.
The organization’s work centers on hospitality, friendship, practical service, Bible studies, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. COM staff and volunteers help Chinese students and scholars adapt to life in America through social activities, transportation, cultural orientation, conversational English, trips, fellowship groups, and other forms of practical support. As relationships develop, staff and volunteers also share Christian teaching and invite students into Bible study and discipleship.
COM’s approach is relational and campus-based. The organization places campus workers in university communities where Chinese students and scholars are present, while administrative and leadership staff support recruitment, training, finances, communication, and ministry development. COM also works with local churches and other ministries when possible, helping new believers grow in Christian faith and prepare to live as followers of Jesus in their families, communities, and professions.
The ministry also provides tools for people involved in Chinese student ministry. Its resource materials include articles, Bible studies, recipes, skits, evangelism tools, and other downloadable resources created or compiled by COM staff. COM also publishes IMPACT magazine three times per year, sharing testimonies, campus ministry updates, planned giving information, and ministry news for prayer and partner engagement.
People can engage with China Outreach Ministries by praying, giving financially, volunteering, exploring staff opportunities, hosting or befriending Chinese students and scholars, using COM ministry resources, or receiving COM news and IMPACT magazine. Those interested in volunteering or staff roles can contact the organization directly, while donors may give online, by phone, or by mail to the Mechanicsburg office.
