Join the Midwest Team
Reaching the World Through International Students in the Midwest
From Bloomington, Indiana, IFM is discipling international students and preparing them to become gospel-shaped leaders around the world. Our vision is to multiply this proven model across key university cities in the Midwest. If you sense God leading you toward cross-cultural ministry, we invite you to explore joining the Bloomington hub and the Midwest Expansion.
The B-town Model
For over twenty years, IFM Bloomington has welcomed international students at Indiana University with practical help, deep hospitality, and clear teaching from Scripture.
- A disciple-making funnel from first contact to multiplication
- Student-led, volunteer and staff-supported ministry
- Strong partnership with local churches in Bloomington
The Bloomington “B-town” model is now the training ground and launchpad for new IFM ministries across the Midwest.
The B-Town Disciple-Making Funnel
Our ministry in Bloomington follows a clear pathway from first contact with an international student all the way to mature disciple-maker.
Meet
First contact through airport pickups, the annual furniture giveaway, winter coat shopping, and other practical helps that say, “You are welcome. You are not alone.”
Bond
Trust grows through cookouts, holiday hospitality in American homes, and social gatherings. Many students experience their first real friendship with Christians here.
Gospel Sharing
As relationships deepen, we organically transition to faith conversations and Gospel sharing, invite students into Seeker Bible studies, and welcome them to church events, always at a pace that honors trust, curiosity, and cultural sensitivity.
Nurture
International Coffee Hour, weekly Bible studies, and retreats help seekers and new believers explore Scripture, ask hard questions, and grow in their faith.
Multiply
Students begin serving and leading—organizing events, leading Bible studies, discipling others, and then carrying this DNA back to their home countries and new communities.
Why the Midwest? Why Now?
Twelve of the top forty U.S. universities hosting international students are in the Midwest. These campuses are full of future leaders from around the world, many from places where traditional missionaries cannot go.
A Strategic Mission Field
In many Midwest universities, you will find:- Large international student populations at leading universities
- Students from unreached and restricted nations
- Openness to friendship, hospitality, and honest conversation
Replicating a Proven Model
The Bloomington hub has developed a unique combination of:- Discipleship-focused ministry, not just one-time evangelism
- Student-led, volunteer and staff-supported structures
- Deep partnership with local churches for long-term care
Staff Pathway: From Interest to Launch
If you join IFM through the Bloomington hub, you enter a clear pathway that combines discernment, training, support-raising, and deployment to long-term ministry in the Midwest.
Ministry Interest Form
Share your story, ministry interests, and current situation using our short online form. This helps us determine whether to proceed with a pre-screen call and discernment conversation.
Pre-Screen Call
A brief call (10–20 minutes) to confirm basic fit, answer initial questions, and decide whether to move forward to a full discernment conversation.
Discernment Conversation
A 60–75 minute video call focused on your calling, spiritual life, cross-cultural experience, practical realities, emotional health, and openness to support-raising and relocation. This is not an interview. Its purpose is mutual discernment.
Not an interview
Submit Full Application
If both sides sense potential alignment, you will be invited to complete the full staff application, including testimony, ministry experience, doctrinal alignment, emotional health, references, and financial considerations.
Application Review, Onsite Visit (Optional), and Approval
Our team reviews your application. If helpful, we may invite you for an optional visit to Bloomington to experience IFM firsthand. Upon approval, you move forward to orientation with your potential supervisor.
Orientation Visit with Potential Supervisor (Optional)
Meet your prospective supervisor, observe ministry environments, join Coffee Hour or Bible studies, and gain clarity about expectations, team dynamics, and ministry rhythms.
One-Year New Staff & Support-raising Training (Bloomington)
Begin a structured year of preparation in Bloomington, including: Mentorship and hands-on ministry training, Cross-cultural development, Church partnership building, and Support-raising training (including the two-week “God Ask” course).
IFM may supplement first-year support so you can focus on training and ministry.
Launch Ministry in Bloomington or a New Midwest City
After completing your training year, you will either continue serving in Bloomington or help launch a new IFM ministry in another strategic Midwest location in partnership with a local church.
What We’re Looking For
The Bloomington/Midwest pathway is designed for men and women who want to invest their lives in making disciples of all nations through international students.
Green Flags
- A growing relationship with Jesus and commitment to a local church
- A heart for internationals and cross-cultural friendships
- Willingness to share the gospel clearly and graciously
- Emotional resilience and teachability
- Openness to mentoring, accountability, and team life
- Realistic willingness to raise financial support
- Affirmation from pastors or mentors about your calling and character
When We May Encourage You to Wait
- You are in a season of major emotional or spiritual crisis
- You are primarily looking for a job, not discerning a ministry calling
- You are not connected to a local church or spiritual mentors
- You are resistant to evangelism, accountability, or supervision
- Your financial or life situation makes support-raising or relocation impossible right now
In those cases, we may recommend a volunteer role, an internship, or a season of healing and preparation before stepping into full-time staff ministry.
Ready to Explore Serving with IFM Bloomington?
If you sense the Lord stirring your heart toward international student ministry and the Midwest Expansion, your next step is simple: complete the online Ministry Interest Form. We’ll review it and follow up about a conversation.
Start with the Ministry Interest Form