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Welcome to the virtual home of International Friendship Evangelism! We are very happy to have you stop by. We hope the moments you spend at this site provide rest for your soul, engages your mind, and renews your spirit.
To learn more about our organization, please read below and follow the links.
Who We Are | Our Approach | Our Objectives | Our Methodology
International Friendship Evangelism is a service oriented organization primarily aimed at international students, scholars, and business people from around the world. It is a Christian effort following the example of the Apostle Paul to identify with today's cultures and to present Christ without compromise but also without cultural prejudice. IFE is committed to the Apostle's calling to serve one another through love.
"Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
The purpose underlying the ministry of International Friendship Evangelism, Inc. is to enter into, in some measure, the burden of the Apostle Paul which was to identify with cultures of mankind in order to present Christ without compromise or cultural prejudice.
Moreover, in IFE we are committed to the Apostle's exhortation to serve one another through love.
When international students approach the shores of America, they are often concerned as to how they will be received by Americans and others in this country. Upon arrival at their university, many experience problems in adjustment. Although the day by day adjustments are easily made, often there arise deeper problems such as loneliness that require remedies difficult to find.
At such a time, Internationals sincerely appreciate friends who can really identify with their need of understanding and love. Only in rare cases can this need be met in a satisfying way by fellow students or faculty.
- To contact as
many Internationals as possible on the campus of Syracuse University,
on other campuses, and in the places where they live and work.
- To befriend these
students by ministering to their felt needs through activities such
as friendship meals, picnics, and practical help.
- To communicate
the love of Christ to internationals as they are exposed to the deeds
and words of committed and concerned Christians in Bible studies, discussion
groups, and practical living.
- To follow up all
Internationals with whom we have had contact here and, upon their return
to their countries, to put those who have confessed Christ or have shown
an interest in Him in touch with Christians in their areas.
- In areas where there are no evangelical Christian churches, to start Christ-centered, Bible-based, and Spirit-led churches patterned along New Testament principles. "And they were continually devoted to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers." (Acts 2:42)
The methodology of IFE is based on I Cor. 9:16 - 22. In verse 22, Paul says, "I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." In this verse we have all of the ingredients of Christian communication that are necessary to cater to the needs of the total man. They are: Love, Compassion, Identification, Friendship, Trust/Confidence and Communication.
- Love: "Through
love serve one another." (Gal. 5:13) It is Christ's love that motivates
us to serve beyond self. Every human being wants to be loved. The meaning
of genuine or Christ-like love includes doing our very best for others
regardless of color, creed, sex or nationality, for the Scripture says,
"the love of Christ constraineth us." (II Cor. 5:14)
- Compassion:
Compassion is the by-product of genuine love. Compassion compels us
to minister to the felt needs of others without any "strings attached".
When we have Christ-like compassion, it gives us great joy to serve
others at any cost.
- Identification:
Identification is the by-product of compassion. It enables us to accept
people as they are and, without any reservation, to be at one with them.
The Scripture says that the Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion
when he saw people in need.
- Friendship:
When we identif y ourselves with people who are in need and accept them
as they are, people will recognize that we are their friends. In other
words, when we give ourselves in the service of others and learn "to
scratch where it itches", sooner or later people will recognize the
fact that we care. Eventually they will accept us as their friends.
- Trust or Confidence:
Once people accept us as their friends, they also trust us. Once we
have their trust or confidence, suspicion and prejudice can be replaced
by understanding and non-threatening relationships.
- Communication: Trust and confidence then lead to communication. People are now ready to listen to what you have to say even if it does not agree with what they may believe.
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