📦 This guide is part of the DIY Self-Guided toolkit. A downloadable PDF version and interactive digital experience are coming soon.
This guide is designed for the volunteer leader who has been asked (or feels called) to start a church International Student Ministry. You do not need a theology degree or international travel experience. You do need organizational skills, a hospitable spirit, and a small core team of 3–5 people who will actually follow through.
Your pastor's support opens doors. IFI's framework does the heavy lifting. Your volunteers provide the hearts and homes. This guide gets you from zero to running in 90 days.
Note on training: IFI's cultural sensitivity training is required for all volunteers before engaging with students. It needs to happen before your first student interaction. Skip it, and your church is more likely to create avoidable confusion, awkwardness, or mistrust right at the start.
Days 1–30
Build the Foundation
Goals: Establish leadership, secure pastoral buy-in, prepare for student engagement
Step 1
Appoint Your ISM Team
- Identify your volunteer ISM Point Leader
- Recruit 3–5 core team members
- Assign roles: events, volunteers, student follow-up, family match, prayer
- Schedule your first planning meeting
Step 2
Secure Pastoral Endorsement
- Present the vision to your pastor
- Request a Sunday morning announcement
- Get the ministry on the church calendar
- Confirm the church's willingness to host events
Step 3
Connect with IFI
- Contact your regional IFI representative
- Review responsibilities and expectations
- Obtain resources: volunteer cards, dinner handbook, DBS packet
- Schedule cultural sensitivity training for your team
Step 4
Connect with the University
- Contact the university's International Students Office
- Introduce your church as a volunteer hospitality partner
- Ask how volunteers can best support students
- Request involvement in orientation or welcome events
Step 5
Recruit Volunteers
- Announce on a Sunday morning
- Use a QR code to collect interested volunteers
- Hold a short orientation session
- Complete cultural sensitivity training
Step 6
Plan Your Welcome Event
- Choose a date near the start of the semester
- Select a location (church or near campus)
- Assign roles: food, rides, greeting, setup
- Create a sign-up form for students
30-Day Deliverables
- Core team formed and trained
- Pastoral endorsement secured
- IFI connection established
- University contact made
- Volunteer interest list gathered
- Welcome event scheduled
Days 31–60
Launch & Establish Rhythm
Goals: Begin meeting students, host first events, start Friendship Partner sign-ups
Step 1
Host Your Welcome Event
- Welcome new students warmly
- Gather student contact information
- Introduce upcoming monthly dinners
- Offer rides and practical help sign-ups
Step 2
Launch Monthly Dinners
- Choose a monthly dinner theme
- Assign dinner hosts and meal providers
- Use name tags and conversation starters
- Offer optional Discovery Bible Study after dinner
Step 3
Launch Family/Friendship Match
- Create student and volunteer sign-up forms
- Match based on interests and availability
- Provide guidelines to both student and volunteer
- Encourage first meeting within two weeks
Step 4
Expand Your Volunteer Team
- Share stories from the Welcome Event
- Promote airport pickup and practical help opportunities
- Offer a second volunteer training session
- Add career mentors for OPT/internship support
Step 5
Strengthen University Ties
- Send a follow-up note to the international office
- Ask how the first event impacted students
- Offer help for upcoming university needs
- Be clear you are a church-based volunteer group
60-Day Deliverables
- Welcome event completed
- First monthly dinner held
- Friendship matching underway
- Active university communication
- Volunteer team growing
Days 61–90
Deepen & Sustain
Goals: Establish patterns, strengthen relationships, plan for the semester ahead
Step 1
Host 2nd & 3rd Monthly Dinners
- Rotate hosts to expand volunteer involvement
- Try themed dinners (cultural nights, holidays)
- Share stories and photos to build momentum
- Continue optional DBS after dinner
Step 2
Deepen Friendship Matches
- Encourage partners to meet twice per month
- Provide monthly prompts for cultural exchange
- Offer support navigating cultural misunderstandings
- Connect career mentors with graduating students
Step 3
Evaluate with Your Core Team
- What's working? What needs adjustment?
- Are volunteers feeling supported?
- Are students returning and engaging?
- Share wins with the pastor and congregation
Step 4
Plan Holiday & Seasonal Events
- Thanksgiving dinner (highest impact event of the year)
- Christmas lights tour or holiday party
- New Year tradition night
- Spring welcome picnic
Step 5
Re-entry Support Planning
- Identify students graduating or leaving this year
- Commission them at a dinner or church service
- Connect to faith communities in their home country
- Stay in relationship after they leave
Step 6
Strengthen IFI Partnership
- Share outcomes with your IFI representative
- Explore moving to Launch or Guided Partner tier
- Plan next semester with IFI guidance
- Confirm training for any new volunteers
90-Day Deliverables
- Three monthly dinners completed
- Ongoing friendship matches active
- DBS sessions underway (optional)
- Core team aligned and encouraged
- University partnership strengthened
- Next semester planned