Guided Partnership is for churches that want a repeatable ministry rhythm: regular contact with students, a steady stream of engaged volunteers, and a church team that keeps serving after the first launch. Churches usually move here when they want steadier rhythms, clearer accountability, and help building a ministry that lasts. Your volunteer leader still leads. IFI walks alongside you every month.
Everything in Guided Partnership, Click to ExploreFull DIY ToolkitTap to open details
Your church still gets the complete set of guides, templates, and training materials, so your volunteer team has what it needs at hand.
IFI-Led TrainingTap to open details
IFI helps your team start on the same page so volunteers are trained, expectations are clear, and student engagement starts from a stronger foundation.
Annual PlanningTap to open details
Each year starts with a planning conversation that leads to a ministry calendar, goals, and concrete next steps.
Monthly CallsTap to open details
You get monthly coaching so your ministry keeps moving instead of stalling after the initial launch.
Annual Site VisitTap to open details
Your church gets outside perspective on what is happening in your actual ministry, with encouragement and practical feedback from someone who has seen this work elsewhere.
Priority AccessTap to open details
Your team stays connected to new IFI resources and updates, so you are not rebuilding each semester from scratch.
Monthly Coaching: Your Choice of Format
Guided Partners receive monthly touchpoints with IFI. The default path is a monthly cohort call with peer churches. If your church hits a specific challenge or needs deeper attention, IFI can shift you into monthly 1-on-1 coaching for that season.
Official IFI Partner Church Recognition
- Listed on ifipartners.org as an official IFI Partner Church
- Recognized in IFI national communications
- Access to IFI Partner Church designation for church use
- Included in IFI annual impact reporting
- Invited to IFI national partner gatherings
- Featured as a model for other churches in your region
Common questions
What churches ask us
How is this different from Launch Partnership?
Launch Partnership gets you started. Guided Partnership sustains and deepens you. The main additions are monthly calls (cohort or 1-on-1), an annual site visit from your regional director, and official IFI Partner Church recognition.
What does the site visit look like?
Your IFI regional director comes to observe a dinner or event, meet your volunteer team, and spend time with your leadership. It's an encouragement visit, not an evaluation. They leave with recommendations for growth, not a report card.
Do we have to have been a Launch Partner first?
Not necessarily. If your church is ready to commit at a higher level from the start, IFI can discuss Guided Partnership directly.
What does "suggested donation" mean?
IFI is a nonprofit. The suggested $3,000–$5,000 helps IFI fund regional staff, training programs, and the support it provides to partner churches. It's not a hard requirement, but it's how this work is sustained.
How long is the commitment?
There's no binding contract. Guided Partnership is an ongoing relationship reviewed annually.
Ready to apply?
Tell us about your church and your ISM journey. Your regional IFI director will follow up within a few business days.
Start Your Application Start with Launch Partner instead