IFI continues to grow and thrive on the RIT campus. We have been asking you to pray that IFI will be recognized as an official student group on the RIT campus and are happy to report that this prayer has been answered. As an RIT student group, IFI now has access to campus spaces and limited funding for student events. Christine Maali Amiri (c.maaliamiri@ifiusa.org) and Mason Pell (m.pell@ifiusa.org) are both working with international students on the RIT campus.
On Friday, October 20, Ridgeland Community Church hosted an informational meeting and fundraiser for IFI. We had a great meal together (catered by Mission BBQ) with about 65 people in attendance, including about a dozen members of Grace Church PCA.
The meeting was led by Peter and Hannah Putz, who have been with IFI Rochester from the beginning. We heard a brief history of IFI in Rochester from our very own Dave Beinetti. A young man who grew up in Canada/India/Dubai told us how he experienced a much-needed sense of belonging from the IFI Christian community after his travels in multiple countries. A young woman from the Republic of the Congo provided a very inspiring story about the joy she experienced as she shared her faith with her roommates at RIT. Rich Mendola, the nationwide director of IFI, pointed out four important principles in the ministry of IFI.
It is Biblical - starting with Abraham, God has been raising up people from within cultures to carry His message.
It is strategic – the ministry of IFI has the potential to impact future leaders all over the world, including the children and advisors of presidents, premiers, and prime ministers.
It is economical – missionaries to a new country typically require more than two years of language and cultural training and frequently take four or more years to have an impact on arrival. Students returning to their homes can have an immediate impact.
It is effective – students who come to faith in Jesus Christ and those who have their faith strengthened and renewed return home to start Bible studies and home churches, even in countries where Christian missionaries are not even allowed.
There will be opportunities during the coming year to host international students for dinners at home, especially during Thanksgiving, over Christmas break, spring break, and Easter, when many IFI students cannot return home. Please contact Paul Craig (call him at 585.305.5557, email at pac8612@gmail.com, or just stop him after service on Sunday) if you would be willing to be added to a list of potential host families who can be contacted when these opportunities arise.
Please pray for the international students that IFI serves and for Christine and Mason as they minister to these students.
If you would like to receive regular updates about IFI, to volunteer with IFI, or to support the ministry of IFI at RIT, please contact Christine Maali Amiri at c.maaliamiri@ifiusa.org. Please talk with Dave Beinitti (dbeinetti@gmail.com) or Paul Craig (paul.craig@rit.edu) to learn more about IFI at RIT. You can also learn more from their website (https://rit.ifiusa.org/).