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. We also have special weekly meetings for wives and moms.
No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary for participating in any of IFI’s weekly small group meetings.
Steps to Connect With a Small Group
1. Take a look at the list of "Active Small Groups" and decide which would be the best fit for you. You'll also find contact information of the group leaders (click the link on their name), so you can reach out to learn more.
2. Once you have found a group to participate in, use the sign up sheet below let the group know you would like to attend a meeting. One of the group leaders will connect with you to share more information.
We hope you will take the time to check out one of our weekly meetings, and we look forward to seeing you there!
ACTIVE SMALL GROUPS - Ohio State University
Contact Leader(s): Bob Mack, Karen Mack, Paul Nordman, Peggy Nordman
Location(s): Various locations: in homes and locations within 15 minutes of campus.
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Synopsis: Our group meets on Friday evenings for food, friendship, and fun! Together, we will read a story from the Bible, discuss it, and learn how it can apply to our lives. Delicious food is served at 7:00pm and our discussion time starts at 8:00pm. All questions and comments are welcome as we learn together. Rides are provided if needed. Please contact Bob () for more information or complete the website form below. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact Leader(s): Caroline Dravillas
Locations: In Person (Various Home Locations)
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Sundays @ 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Synopsis: Fun group of young internationals, where the leaders are all OSU students or graduates. This is also a safe place to practice your English with other internationals. Dinner will be provided.
Contacts Leader(s): David & Charmaign Albright
Location: The Albright Home
Other Details: Sign up by emailing . David will provide location details. Rides provided.
Meeting Times: Friday nights, 7:00 PM
Synopsis: Dinner, Bible discussion & games at the end of discussion! 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!
Contact Leader(s): ">Faby Jara, Sarah Negron
Location(s): Various locations – in homes and buildings near the campus.
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Thursdays @ 7:00pm
Synopsis: We meet on Thursday nights. We start with sharing a meal together at 7:00 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. We meet in several locations so it is best to contact us first before coming. Feel free to reach out to Rich with questions or for more information at .
Contact Leader(s): Somita Ganguly Bucklew
Location: In-person at Various locations
Meeting Times: Saturdays @ 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Synopsis: The Yeshu Satsang is a gathering together where we learn from the life of Prabhu Yeshu. Everyone is welcome. We sing bhajan, learn from life of Prabhu Yeshu and have discussion, then eat Indian vegetarian dinner afterwards.
Contact Leader(s): Jerry & Gwen Shellhaas
Location: In-person (home of leaders) - 5791 Saffron Ave. Galloway, OH 43119
Other Details: Transportation is provided. Please submit the correct pickup information when you sign up.
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Synopsis: Our groups enjoys eating delicious, homemade, FREE food while establishing new lifelong friendships. The group also provides an opportunity to improve your English speaking and listening skills, play fun games, and participate in other great group activities throughout the year. Finally, you can discover 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, 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.
Contact Leader(s): Junshou Yang
Location(s): Various locations or Panera
Other Details:
Meeting Times: Wednesdays @ 7:00pm
Synopsis: We discuss the Lord's words every Wednesday @ 7:00pm. We do a 1 hour Bible Study. We gather in a student's apartment or Panera. My email address is . We are looking for two or three more students join us.
Contact Leader(s): Mike Burt, Jon Dudo
Location: Calvary Bible Church, 3865 N. High St, Columbus, OH 43214. There is also a Zoom meeting option for joining the study. Please email Jon for details.
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study. There is also a Zoom meeting option for joining the study. Please email Jon for details.
Meeting Times: Friday, 7:00pm
Synopsis: Mike’s group is a great opportunity for you to practice English and make new friends! Dinner will be provided at 7:00 pm. From 8:00-8:30 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. Please email Jon for connection details.
Contact Leader(s): Sara Gillette or Beth Gass.
Location: In-person @ various Child-friendly Homes
Other Details: International Mom's Group - Childcare Provided
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 9:30am – 11:00am & Mondays @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Synopsis: We meet together to support each other as moms, and to learn more about American culture, faith and parenting. By meeting with our group, you will be able to make new friendships, practice your English, read and talk about the Bible, and enjoy some other special activities. For more information and to sign up, click here.
Contact Leader(s): Mike McCabe 马迈克
Locations: In-person (home of group leader) - 4906 Northtowne Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229
Other Details: Chinese/English Bible Discussion
Meeting Time(s): Fridays @ 6:30pm
Synopsis:
We meet on Friday nights at my home, and we start with sharing a meal together (usually a home cooked Chinese one) at around 6:30 p.m. After eating, we gather to read a portion of the Bible in English and discuss it mostly in Chinese; recently we have been looking at the Gospel of Luke. Everyone is invited to share their comments, although no one is pressured to talk. Our discussions are lively and enjoyable. Feel free to reach out to me with questions or for more information at or fill out the form at the website and your response will be forwarded to me.
Contact Leader(s): Rich Mendola, Faby Jara, Sara Negron, Abby Zou
Location(s): Various locations – in homes and buildings near the campus.
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 7:00pm
Synopsis: We meet on Friday nights. We start with sharing a meal together at 7:00 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. We meet in several locations so it is best to contact us first before coming. 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.
Contact Leader(s): Russ Sermon
Location(s): 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. The 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): Sally Sulc, Bob Williams, Stephanie Conners, Dale and Sharon Thompson
Location: In-person - Vertical Church Columbus, OR 3270 Ridgewood Drive
Other Details: Transportation is provided. Please provide the correct pickup location when you sign up. We will be meeting at Vertical Church Columbus (1290 Old Henderson Road) for most Friday nights. The first Friday of the month will be at 3270. Please reach out to Sally () to confirm the location.
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 7:00pm
Synopsis: Our group meets for an engaging Bible discussion where everyone is encouraged to participate. We have a homemade dinner each week before the discussion. We also 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!
ACTIVE SMALL GROUPS - Other Campuses
Contact Group Leader(s): Mike Krajnak
Location(s): In Person - 2277 Holt Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
Other Details: Multicultural Group Study
Meeting Times: Fridays @ 3:00pm
Synopsis: We meet on Friday afternoons within walking distance of the Ohio Dominican University campus. We have a bible discussion first and then share a home cooked meal. 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 if this will be the first time, everyone is welcome.
INACTIVE SMALL GROUPS
Contact 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: This is a group for the 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 the holidays. While we don’t have childcare, we can refer you to the International Moms Group for help. Contact us for a ride. For more information and to sign up, click here.