Meeting regularly with a small group of other internationals and American volunteers to learn more about the Bible is one of the best ways to build deeper and meaningful friendships. These friendships can enrich your life and contribute to your sense that Columbus can be a new home for you. Most of our small groups also eat together regularly. No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary for participating in any of IFI’s weekly small group meetings.
Please notice that we have special weekly meetings for wives and moms.
We hope you will take the time to check out one of our weekly meetings. We look forward to seeing you there!
SMALL GROUPS
Leaders: Rich Mendola, Tingming (Florence) Yuan
Locations: In Person, 1520 Old Henderson Rd
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Friday, 7:00pm
Synopsis: We meet on Friday nights. We start with sharing a meal together at 7:15 p.m. It is always the best meal of the week since various people bring food. We have wonderful American volunteers and international students from several countries. After eating, we gather in small groups to read and discuss a story in the Bible. Everyone is invited to share their comments, although no one is pressured to talk. Our discussions are lively and enjoyable. Whether you have read the Bible many times or this will be the first time, everyone is welcome. Our current meeting location is The IFI office located at 1520 Old Henderson Rd but we expect to begin meeting in homes in the fall. Feel free to reach out to Rich with questions or for more information at or fill out the form at the website and your response will be forwarded to him.
Leader(s): Mike Burt
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
There is also a Zoom meeting option for joining the study. Please email Mike for details.
Meeting Times: Friday, 6:30pm
Synopsis: Mike’s group is a great opportunity for you to practice English and make new friends! Dinner will be provided at 6:30 pm. From 7:30-8:30 Mike teaches lecture style through the Bible. You will learn the culture, history and main message of the Bible. Discussion time follows after the lecture. There is also a Zoom class for children from 6:30-7:30. Please email Mike for connection details.
Leader(s): ">Charmaign Albright
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43214
Other Details: International Wives’ Bible Study
Meeting Times: To be determined
Synopsis: For wives of International students and visiting scholars, come make new friends, practice English, learn about American culture and discuss the Bible. We also do special activities around holidays. Sorry, we don’t have childcare. Contact IFI for a ride. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Leader(s): Sarah Gillette or Beth Gass.
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St Columbus OH 43214
Other Details: International Mom's Group - Childcare Provided
Meeting Times: Weekly on Friday, 9:30am – 11:00am
Synopsis: We are a group of moms and children who are like family! On Friday mornings, we visit with each and have something to eat and discuss passages from the Bible. We meet from 9:00 to 11:00 am. It’s a great time for you to practice your English, make new friends, learn Western culture, and for your child to play! Childcare, and Bibles are provided. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Leader(s): Mark and Sally Sulc, Bob Williams, Stephanie Conners
Location: ONLINE 3270 Ridgewood Drive Hilliard, OH 43026
Other Details: Transportation is provided
Meeting Times: Friday, 7:00pm
Synopsis: Our group meets for an engaging Bible discussion where everyone is encouraged to participate. We often enjoy fun activities together throughout the year. Our group has been primarily made up of Brazilians the past couple of years, but we love to include anyone who is interested. Come visit!
Leader(s): Jerry & Gwen Shellhaas
Location: Their home is located at 5791 Saffron Ave. Galloway, OH 43119
Other Details: Transportation is provided
Meeting Times: Fridays 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM (during the Covid-19 Crisis)
Synopsis: Eating delicious, homemade free food, establishing new lifelong friendships, improving your English speaking and listening skills, playing fun games together, participating in other great group activities throughout the year and discovering who God is by discussing what the Bible teaches about Him, how He has worked throughout history, how He wants us to live, who Jesus is and why He is the most important person in history and how we can spend eternity with Him in heaven: What could be better? We invite you to meet with us in our home on Friday nights at 7:00 PM. We begin with a meal and spend time socializing while we eat. TRANSPORTATION WILL BE PROVIDED if needed. At around 8:00 PM we will read some verses from the Bible and participate in a discussion about them to discover truths / lessons we can apply to our lives. At 8:45 or so, we will play games or hang out and talk some more until everyone is ready to go back home. If you would like to visit our group, send an email to or call him at 614-354-4832.
Leader(s): Russ Sermon
Location: In-person on or near campus
Other Details: Bible Conversation Club
Meeting Times: Saturday mornings, 10am - 12pm
Synopsis: The topics are from the Bible and start with the first book of the Bible. Each session begins with an exercise to get to know one another and then moves to a story from the Bible. Focus is on new vocabulary, identifying characters and themes, giving opinions and paraphrasing – all higher level language skills. Groups are lead by Americans who talk with students individually, facilitate group conversation, and learn about the God of the Bible directly FROM the Bible. No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary. Check out Bible Conversation Club here!
Leader(s): Phil Foell; Xia Shen
Location: COHatch The Gateway (1581 North High Street), or at a leader's home
Other Details: Phil & Xia's Bible Discussion Group
Meeting Times: Fridays, 7:00pm
Synopsis: Phil & Xia's Bible discussion group normally meets at COHatch the Gateway (1581 N. High St., one block south of the Ohio Union) on Fridays at 7pm. We always eat dinner together before separating into smaller groups to read and talk about a story from the Bible. Please email Xia at to get on our email and WhatsApp groups.
Leader(s): Junshou Yang
Location: Student's apartment or Panera
Other Details:
Meeting Times: Wednesday 7pm
Synopsis: We discuss the Lord's words every Wednesday 7 pm. We do a 1 hour Bible Study. We gather in a student's apartment or Panera. My email address is . We are looking for 2 or 3 more students join us.
Leader(s): David Albright
Location: David's home (he is moving, so we don't have the address yet).
Other Details: Sign up by emailing . David will provide location details. Rides provided.
Meeting Times: Saturday Mornings, 9:00 AM
Synopsis: Dinner and DISCUSSION Bible study! Discussion lead by an American, but emphasis is on students discussing what is read. A great way to practice your English, learn about the Bible, and make new friends!