Tier 3 · Guided Partner
Deep coaching for churches building lasting ISM.
Free + suggested $3,000–$5,000/yr donation
Monthly coaching, an annual site visit, and official IFI Partner Church recognition, for teams committed to the long haul.
Everything in Launch, plus…
Four more ways Guided goes deeper.
Monthly Coaching
Cohort calls (4–8 churches) or 1-on-1 with a director. You choose the format, and can switch at any time.
Annual Site Visit
An IFI director visits your campus and church, observes, and debriefs with your team for a full day of on-site coaching.
Priority Resource Access
First access to new IFI curricula, event packs, and research before they are released to the broader network.
Official IFI Partner Listing
Listed on ifipartners.org, IFI's vetted church directory, a public signal of formal partnership and a resource for students seeking community.
Monthly coaching
Two formats. You choose.
Pick the structure that fits your church. You can switch at any time.
Cohort (4–8 churches)
- Monthly 60-minute call with 4–8 peer churches + IFI facilitator
- Learn from other churches' real-world experience
- Shared accountability and encouragement
- Great for churches who thrive in community
1-on-1 with a director
- Monthly 45-minute call, just your team + IFI director
- Focused entirely on your church's context
- Direct answers to your specific challenges
- Great for churches with unique situations
Partner recognition
IFI Partner Church benefits.
- Listed on ifipartners.org
- Co-branded welcome materials
- Featured in IFI's national newsletter
- Priority placement in student referral network
- Invitation to IFI national gatherings
- "Official IFI Partner Church" designation
Common questions
Frequently asked questions.
What's the difference between cohort and 1-on-1 coaching?
The cohort format connects your team with 4–8 other churches in monthly calls; you learn from each other's experiences alongside IFI guidance. The 1-on-1 format is a direct monthly call between your volunteer leader and an IFI director, focused entirely on your church's context. You choose which fits your team best.
What does the annual site visit involve?
An IFI director visits your campus and church to observe your ministry in action, meet your team, and provide on-the-ground coaching. Site visits typically last one to two days and include a debrief session with practical next steps.
What does 'listed as an official IFI Partner Church' mean?
Guided Partner churches are listed on ifipartners.org, IFI's public directory of vetted church partners. This signals to students, families, and other churches that your ISM meets IFI's quality standards. It also connects you to a broader referral network.
Is Guided right for a church just starting out?
Guided is designed for churches ready to build a lasting, growing ministry, not necessarily one that's already large. If your team is committed to the long haul and wants deep coaching from the start, Guided is a strong fit even in year one.
Can we move from Launch to Guided later?
Yes, many churches start with Launch and move to Guided as their ministry matures. Just reach out to your IFI coordinator when you're ready. There's no penalty for upgrading, and your history with IFI carries forward.
This level of partnership changes everything.