About Us
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International Friendship Ministries, Inc., reaches out to internationals in the Valley area to serve them, to enrich their lives, to meet their varied needs, and to help many find a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Vision
International Friendship Ministries provides an opportunity for the community to come together serving and honoring the different cultures in our area. With an emphasis on hospitality and genuine concern, IFM builds bridges between the internationals and the local community, to serve them and to provide them with opportunities for spiritual growth and personal enrichment.
Slogan
"Serving Internationals with the Love of Christ"
Presentation
Click here to download a PDF version of our PowerPoint presentation. This will give you extra information about IFM and the lives we touch daily.
Facilities
Our office is located at 3404 University Ave. Columbus, GA 31907. Our IFM Friendship Café is located next door inside Albright's Florist at 3400 University Ave.
What we Do
We offer a full spectrum of services and programs of interest to the internationals of our area.
The activities of the International Friendship Ministries encourages many ethnic groups to work together in social, educational and multi-cultural activities.
We serve as a welcome center for new internationals coming to this area.
International Friendship Ministries is open to internationals of every ethnic group, race and religion.
Staff
Ron Collins, President
Carole Collins, Vice-President
Erin Fourhman, Administrative Assistant
Bert Arnold, Ministry Development Director
Giovanna Gonzalez, Family Outreach Ministries and Public Relations Director
Anne Stumhofer, Director of Friendship Café
Hannah Fourhman, Director of Youth Ministries and Discipleship
Joy Boan, Director of English as a Second Language, Beallwood
Leslie Turner, Financial Secretary
Board of Directors
We are pleased to have the following people as part of our Board of Directors.
Hal Averett
Steve Boatner
Steve Butler
Carole Collins
Ron Collins
Mirta Fortin
Sarah George
John Hargrove
Cedric Hill
Olga Salgado
Elizabeth Thornton
IFM Core Values
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Biblical Foundations
Because God is the source of all the wisdom, His Word is to be the guidelines for all our decisions, demonstrated by our steadfast referral to the scriptures for guidance regarding direction, policy, staffing, goals and finances. (Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5, Psalms 119: 130)
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International Outreach
Because God loves all people of the world, we love the people from every culture, ethnic group, and nation, demonstrated by personally and corporately focusing our time, attention, and resources towards people. (Matthew 28:19-20, acts 1:8)
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Unity in Diversity
Because God united us in the essentials, we celebrate diversity in the nonessentials. Demonstrated by maintaining a shared loyalty to our mission and core beliefs, we encourage and enjoy a diversity of spiritual gifts, and cultural, racial, social and spiritual backgrounds. (John 17, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, Romans 15:5-6)
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Focus on Friendship
Because God accepts us and wants us to be whole, we freely extend our hand of friendship to everyone. Demonstrated by an atmosphere of sincere friendship in our programs, classes and activities, we model God’s hand of love extended. (Romans 12:13, Proverbs 17:17)
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Evangelism and Discipleship
Because God desires for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth, we seek to share the Good News with others. Demonstrated by personally and corporately establishing bridges of friendship to share Christ with those internationals who are interested, and then to help them grow spiritually and serve others. (John 3:16, Matthew 28:129-20, Acts 1:8, Luke 4:18-29)
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Education and Enrichment
Because God cares about the total person, we care about every facet of the international’s life. Demonstrated by our providing opportunities for internationals to further their education, learn English, acquire new skills and take classes in a variety of subjects including the arts. (Colossians 2:30 & James 1:5)
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Acts of Mercy
Because God cares for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed, we seek to provide practical, loving assistance to them. Demonstrated by providing nutritional services, language and cultural adjustment, appropriate referrals, medical, dental and counseling teams, food, clothing, and furniture distribution. (Luke 10:30-37)
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Kingdom Focused
Because God’s Kingdom is one, we seek to connect the Christian community in the Valley area in ministering to the internationals who live among us. (John 17:11 & 21)
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