IFES CORE MISSION
Equipping Students to Lead, Serve, and Grow in Christ.
The Bible speaks frequently about how important it is for believers to worship and serve together, both for our own growth as Christians and because God is glorified by our fellowship and unity.
As Jesus teaches, “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) That is to say, part of our witness to the world is our unity and fellowship.
God created us to live, work, and serve together. We challenge, teach, and mentor one another, sharing knowledge and resources to grow as believers and deepen the impact of our ministry. This has been a fundamental understanding of IFES since it was founded in 1947 and continues to guide our vision as we look to reach the next generation of students with the gospel.
“I had my eyes opened massively to the wider IFES world.”
– Survey response from a European movement
HEARING FROM STUDENT MINISTRIES
Earlier this year, we conducted a broad survey on the state of our fellowship. The results included direct responses from leaders about the support they need to thrive in their mission and how IFES has helped their movements to thrive in the previous year.
We heard back from 122 movements, from the most well-established ministries to those on the very first steps of being pioneered. This gave us a clear image of the needs national movements are facing across the board.
A common need was training opportunities for staff and student leaders to supplement what the national movements were able to offer – from building organizational principles to growing in faith and theology.
Additionally, movements frequently requested for IFES to invest in projects that facilitate them building relationships and ministry networks within their regions and across the fellowship globally. They want to share the successes and struggles they all face, so that they may collaborate more effectively to develop resources and strategies to serve new generations of students.
Throughout the survey responses, there was a clear understanding that together they’d be able to deepen the impact of their ministry more than working on their own.
“IFES helped connect us to other East Asian countries who shared their encouragement and support…. Even to allow [our staff] to take an internship in [a fellow movement] and receive theological training. All these helps to shape the foundation of the pioneering work here.”
– Survey response from an East Asia movement
PARTNERING TOGETHER
Our Thriving Together vision is the statement of our commitment to build a fellowship unified in heart and a shared mission and to facilitate those growing relationships across our global network.
It is a recognition that our calling to reach students all over the world will only flourish when we serve and support one another in growing community.
In 2025, IFES will support and serve movements with programs that seek to deepen the impact of their ministry by responding to the following needs:
Holistic Training
“[We could use help] training for staff to enable them to train and equip students.”
– Survey response from the EPSA region
IFES will provide opportunities to develop practical and theological skills that many movements do not have the opportunity to offer on their own because of a variety reasons.
The programs we offer are built on a principle that leadership development should reach all aspects of a person’s life, highlighting how their faith interacts with academic, professional, and personal matters.
Networks Across Borders
“I think the more opportunities staff get to interact with each other face to face, the more partnerships will be birthed.”
– Survey response from the Caribbean region
Many national movements have only a few staff who support student groups across their country, and many leaders serve in contexts where Christian community is challenging.
As such, events hosted by IFES next year with participants from multiple countries will provide special opportunities for them to develop ministry networks for strengthening relationships and growing collaboration among movements.
Contextualized Resources
“Materials not only translated into Spanish, but also created in Spanish and the Latin context [would be a support for the movement].”
– Survey response from the Latin America region
IFES will work alongside local leaders to create contextualized resources in areas such as Scripture Engagement, Indigenous Support Development to meet their specific needs.
Because our fellowship is so diverse, we will provide robust resources and online courses that develop foundational principles and practices to guide movements as they develop programs that meet their context.
Will you give a gift to help IFES thrive together in the coming year?
Your support to our core mission is a crucial part of building community and strengthening student ministry all over the world.
