Meeting regularly with a small group of other internationals and American volunteers to learn more about the Bible is one of the best ways to build deeper and meaningful friendships. These friendships can enrich your life and contribute to your sense that Columbus can be a new home for you. Most of our small groups also eat together regularly. No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary for participating in any of IFI’s weekly small group meetings. Please notice that we have special weekly meetings for wives and moms.
We hope you will take the time to check out one of our weekly meetings. We look forward to seeing you there!
SMALL GROUPS
Leaders: Rich Mendola, David Albright, Kiani Li, Phil Foell, Abby Zou, and others.
Other Details: Transportation provided
Meeting Times: Friday, 7:00pm for dinner
Synopsis: Jesus is the most important person in the Bible. Learn about his life from beginning to end. Learn why his life is so amazing and important! We eat together each week. Practice your English, understand Western Culture better, understand why people believe and follow God, and evaluate why you believe what you believe. We welcome people from all backgrounds to come and ask questions.
Leader(s): Mike Burt
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
There is also a Zoom meeting option for joining the study. Please email Mike for details.
Meeting Times: Friday, 6:30pm
Synopsis: Mike’s group is a great opportunity for you to practice English and make new friends! Dinner will be provided at 6:30 pm. From 7:30-8:30 Mike teaches lecture style through the Bible. You will learn the culture, history and main message of the Bible. Discussion time follows after the lecture. There is also a Zoom class for children from 6:30-7:30. Please email Mike for connection details.
Leader(s): Charmaign Albright
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Other Details: International Wives’ Bible Study, Transportation Provided
Meeting Times: Thursday, August 25 (our first meeting for the fall) 12:30 -3:30pm
Synopsis: For wives of International students and visiting scholars, come make new friends, practice English, learn about American culture and discuss the Bible. We also do special activities around holidays. Sorry, we don’t have childcare. Contact Rebecca for a ride. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Leader(s): Laurel Marie Louk
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St Columbus OH 43214
Other Details: International Mom’s Group – Childcare & Transportation Provided
Meeting Times: Weekly on Friday, 9:45am – 11:45am
Synopsis: We are a group of moms and children who are like family! On Friday mornings, we visit with each and have something to eat at 10:00am and at 10:30am we discuss passages from the Bible. It’s a great time for you to practice your English, make new friends, learn Western culture, and for your child to play! Rides, Childcare, and Bibles are provided. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Leader(s): ">Brix Garcia
Location: Upper Arlington
Please email leaders for location and directions, transportation provided
Other Details: Bible Tea Fellowship (BTF)
Meeting Times: Friday, Potluck Dinner @ 7:00pm; Bible Study @7:45pm
Synopsis: We welcome people from every nation and focus on learning the Bible together and growing in our friendship. Our time together includes dinner, worship, bible study, prayer, fellowship, play board games, and tea! It’s a great time to get to know people, make friendships, and practice conversational English!
Leader(s): Mark and Sally Sulc, Bob Williams, Stephanie Conners
Location: 3270 Ridgewood Drive Hilliard, OH 43026
Other Details: Transportation is provided
Meeting Times: Friday, 7:00pm
Synopsis: Our group meets for dinner at 7 pm each Friday night followed by an engaging Bible discussion where everyone is encouraged to participate. We often enjoy fun activities together throughout the year. Our group has been primarily made up of Brazilians the past couple of years, but we love to include anyone who is interested. Come visit! Transportation is provided.
Leader(s): Wanda Hoerle
Location: 509 Midgard Road, Columbus, OH 43202
If you need a ride, one of the students will be glad to give you a ride. Please contact Wanda at 614-806-3899
Other Details: Chinese Home Church at the Hoerles House
Meeting Times: Fridays, 7:00p.m., eat and then study
Synopsis: We are a student-led group. We meet year-round on Friday nights at 7pm for a shared meal and then we get to know each other and discover God together by discussing what we read in the Bible. Afterwards, we hang out talking and playing a game. We really get to know each other and help one another with any problem or need we have. This is a place you will want to bring your friends!
Leader(s): ">Jerry & Gwen Shellhaas
Location: Their home located at 5791 Saffron Ave. Galloway, OH 43119
Other Details: Transportation is provided
Meeting Times: Fridays, 7:00p.m., eat and then study
Synopsis: We enjoy socializing with each other as we eat dinner together at 7 PM. At 8 PM we read a some verses from the Bible and discuss the main points of the passage. Our goal is to seek and find truth and then to apply that truth to our daily lives. As you attend from week to week, you will receive an overview of the major events recorded in the Bible. You will also learn about Jesus, the most important person in the Bible, and about who God is and what He is like, as well as about His love, plans and provisions for us. You will also have a better understanding of what many Americans believe, Western Culture and how students from other nations think and live. You will have many opportunities to practice your English and evaluate what you believe and why. Students and scholars from every nation and background are welcome to come and ask questions as we seek truth together.