Dear Friends and Partners of IFM,
This year is a special year for IFM. We are moving forward in faith towards a long-awaited vision. We believe the time is now for this vision to become a reality.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 says: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”
Our Community Footprint
Since 1997, IFM has been on mission to connect the local Christian community to the local international community; creating opportunities to share Christ with them, leading many to a personal relationship with Christ and equipping them to impact their world. IFM is uniquely qualified and strategically positioned to bridge cultures, build friendships and transform lives.
Each year IFM impacts over 100 nations of the world, right here in Columbus. Columbus provides the ideal setting for IFM to reach internationals. Statistics indicate over 150 nations of the world have come to Columbus as a result of several large corporate headquarters: medical, banking and educational industries.
IFM is the only organization of its kind in the Tri-City area proactively reaching out to the international community and providing programming to meet their needs. IFM has an open door to Ft. Benning and long-standing relationships with IMSO and WHINSEC (representing officers, non-commissioned officers and military students from over 110 nations).
IFM’s signature program, International Friendship Partners, has a distinct calling and respected position to serve incoming internationals receiving training with IMSO and WHINSEC. Each year, International Friendship Partners connects with over 120 students from around 50 countries who come to the area by providing host families from the local Christian community with many friendship opportunities. Through the International Friendship Partner program, future leaders of the nations are being impacted for Christ.
IFM provides five other programs to internationals in addition to their signature program. These programs allow IFM to continuously aim towards their ultimate vision of sharing Christ’s unconditional love with internationals. The programs are: Ladies' Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Family Ministries, English as a Second Language and The Arts Academy. IFM serves internationals from all socio-economic levels.
The Vision
In recent years, IFM has reached capacity to serve the growing number of internationals in our area. Our current rented ministry center space does not allow us to adequately meet the needs of the men, women and children we serve. Without a larger space, we simply cannot expand our program offerings. The vision for a permanent ministry center, a home for IFM, has been in our hearts for many years. In the past two years, IFM has strengthened our foundation as we have positioned ourselves for growth. We have expanded our board, implemented a strategic plan, developed a succession plan, established a funding plan and hired development staff to assist with fundraising. We completed a current conditions assessment in 2018 and have made significant strides towards capacity building at a board and executive leadership level.
We desire the new ministry center to be the “home base” and Hospitality Center for internationals who reside in our area. The IFM Ministry Center would enable us to better serve the growing international population by providing an upscale, aesthetic, and Christ-centered atmosphere where friendships can be developed across social, cultural, political, and religious lines.
What’s Next?
In February of 2019, the IFM board voted in 100% unity to launch a capital campaign to raise $2.5 million to purchase and furnish a building (debt-free), plus establish an endowment fund. In the weeks and months ahead, you will receive detailed information about this long-awaited opportunity. As a friend and partner of IFM, we covet your prayers for this new season! We are seeing an increasing hunger in many hearts to grow spiritually. It’s because of YOUR prayers, volunteer service and financial support over the years that many are coming to know Christ and are sharing Christ when they return home. It’s an exciting time to be in the body of Christ, for such a time as this, right here in Columbus, GA.
Circle of Friends
In addition to your prayers, we ask you to continue giving your financial support to our life-impacting programs. We have several ways to give and offer monthly auto-draft for your convenience. We are counting on you, our circle of friends. In addition, please begin praying about making a one-time gift this year towards our capital campaign. We are very excited to share more with you about this special opportunity in the coming weeks and months.
Thank you for joining us. Together, we are impacting nations from our own front door!
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