Looking for a Church in Reno?
Are you new to Reno and the USA? Finding a church in Reno can be a difficult for many new to this country. American churchestend to have a style that focuses on size, very large gatherings, and lots of English slang.
International students and workers here in Reno have many choices of church communities to check out. One option is an international church, like International Jesus Fellowship.
International students and workers here in Reno have many choices of church communities to check out. One option is an international church, like International Jesus Fellowship.
FaithGrowing together in our faith in Jesus as fellow internationals
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Meals togetherEnjoying meals together is a spiritual activity we do regularly
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Meet UpsActivities, socials, and coffee tea times, all lead to growing community and friendship
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Finding International Friends
In the Book of Acts in the Bible, the first church learned together the teachings of Jesus and early leaders, and had meals together, praying, and caring for the needs in their friends group.
This is what true friendship can look like. Sharing common fellowship of faith in Jesus. It leads to living out care and compassion for others too.
This is what true friendship can look like. Sharing common fellowship of faith in Jesus. It leads to living out care and compassion for others too.
Small groupsOne-on-one and in small groups seeking to make disciples of Jesus
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Activities togetherHiking, socials, meals and outdoor activities with a purpose
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Fellowship gatheringExploring the Bible, prayer, and caring for each other
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Our Story
In 2005, a group of both international and American Christians on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, began meeting as friends and reading the Bible and doing life together. Over time, this included an international house, with regular meals, sports and football outreach, and a weekly evening Bible discussion, designed to know God more.
In those early days, many in this small group were from Korea, Japan, and African countries. Many of these friendships continue to this day, and some members have even gotten married, had kids, and stay connected on social media, even if they live in another part of the world.
In those early days, many in this small group were from Korea, Japan, and African countries. Many of these friendships continue to this day, and some members have even gotten married, had kids, and stay connected on social media, even if they live in another part of the world.
A Reno Church Group for International Students and Recent Immigrants
We are a small church group that seek to grow in friendship with God, and with each other. We do life together, and seek to obey Jesus in his life giving words. When international students come to UNR, TMCC and work in the Reno area, we desire to be a place to grow in faith and relationships. We are a church group of friends, and seek to work together with other churches in the Reno area to help care for the international resident in our area.
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Following Jesus in America
Following Jesus in America can be quite a challenge. This country, with all of its benefits of opportunity, freedom and fame, also has darkness of materialism, busy living, and shallow relationships. It is a land of big houses, but lonely streets, and plenty of brokenness withing homes and the family.
If you are new to the USA, one way to grow in your faith with Jesus is to join a group of fellow international residents, sharing each other’s common burdents and struggles, while praying and obeying Jesus.
If you are new to the USA, one way to grow in your faith with Jesus is to join a group of fellow international residents, sharing each other’s common burdents and struggles, while praying and obeying Jesus.
One International Student’s Story
J, from Brazil, grew up in a Christian home in his country, going to church every week. However, during his studies at UNR, he became overwhelmed with the demands of homework, research, and school pressures. He tried different churches, but found it difficult to connect with the mostly American congregations, and the long distance of travel, since he was without a car. He eventually stopped going to any church and started to feel lonely, and dry in his relationship with God.
One time, out of a desperate search on social media, he saw a photo and mention of an international small group. He contacted the person that posted it, and met him. Then later, checking out the group, he later found friends, grew in relationship, and even became a leader. Today, he is married and serving God back in his home in Brazil.
There are many other similar stories like that, of international friends looking for community that is focussed on faith in Jesus, learns the Bible together, and cares for one another.
One time, out of a desperate search on social media, he saw a photo and mention of an international small group. He contacted the person that posted it, and met him. Then later, checking out the group, he later found friends, grew in relationship, and even became a leader. Today, he is married and serving God back in his home in Brazil.
There are many other similar stories like that, of international friends looking for community that is focussed on faith in Jesus, learns the Bible together, and cares for one another.
What IJF Looks Like
Weekly large group gathering
Our weekly gathering meets in a house. Simple, comfortable and like home. Each week, we have a meal together. We discuss our week, challenges and answers to prayer. Then in a small group, we read, discuss and apply the next story from the Bible. Followed by dessert and friendship together. While English is the main language we share in common and use most of the time, we encourage language-specific groups and friends meets, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Hindi, Tamil, Bangali, Spanish and more.
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Small groups
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Our Ministry Approach
The Bible is full of beautiful stories. And our lives are stories. Rather than long, complicated speeches and sermons, our discipling happens through discovery bible study approach. You do not have to know a lot, or talk a lot. We read short, simple sections of scripture, along with a short group discussion and applying it to our life. We want what we learn to improve our life, and lead us to obey God in everything.
Occasionally, personal stories (called testimonies), and vision casting stories and videos are used, to encourage us as a group. We are lead by internationals, rather than only American “volunteers”.
Occasionally, personal stories (called testimonies), and vision casting stories and videos are used, to encourage us as a group. We are lead by internationals, rather than only American “volunteers”.
Our VisionWe desire to see the nations in Reno, and around the world, hear about Jesus, and live a life following him (Matthew 28:18-21). We want to practice simple, relational methods of learning and doing life together, so all of us can multiply and reach our friends. We would rather see many small groups or small churches reaching the nations here in Reno, rather than only one or two very large churches. The church in Acts were small, family-based, and often met in homes or marketplace areas. We seek to do the same.
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Social Activities
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Throughout the year, we have some social activities we do to build relationships and community. We are called to do life together, and that includes enjoying fellowship of one another through the many events and places our region has. Some of these activities include:
- Monthly hiking
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MealsMost of our gatherings have full meals. We believe a meal can be a spiritual experience, that God wants us to do life together with. When we gather around a dinner table, there is something special that happens as we build friendship, while enjoying food.
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Prayer
Prayer is essential. A movement to reach the nations in the Reno area must include prayer. It is common for us to pray for individuals after our bible stories, and sometimes fast and desperately seek God for answers to prayer. God wants to miraculously answer prayer, if we simply have faith to seek him.
Opening the BibleThe Bible is God’s love letter to people. It contains the full gospel, and shows how much we need Him. It also has helpful advice for life too. Rather than focusing on famous modern speakers, or professional preaching, most of our weekly and small group gatherings are based on reading and discussing the Bible.
We do this through Bible Study Fellowship and African Student Fellowship as well. |
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Leadership Opportunities
Much of the work of IJF is done by international members of our fellowship, rather than relying only on outside American volunteers from other churches. We are self-led, but seek to cooperate with other churches in the area on vision and outreach, such as caring for the poor and city-wide prayer. Whether it is simply working together to prepare and cook each week’s meal, or offering Airport rides for fellow members, we desire to be led by all of us. This includes discovery bible study. Rather than one or two religious people leading groups, God wants all to lead in some way, as long as they are growing in Him.
Bible Study
Between one-on-one meetups, training, and discovery bible study in small groups, our primary leadership opportunities revolve around discipleship.
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New Arrival Outreach
Household items, apartment setup assistance, and airport pickups. Coordinating and assisting with our outreach to newly arriving visiting scholars, and refugees, allows us to serve fellow internationals in our city. Obeying God by loving the nations that live here. |
Social Activities
We build community and friendship through hikes, outdoor activities and meals together. These activities need leaders to initiate, plan and invite our fellowship. |
Are You Learning About God
While IJF is primarily for those who trust in Jesus for forgiveness as their King, we welcome you if you are not quite sure, or are from another religious background. We have groups for beginners and those not ready, as well as experienced and leaders. You do not have to know anything about the Bible, and you do not have to be ready yet to believe and follow. Just a desire to learn and experience what it may look like.
An International Church in Reno
When looking for an international church in Reno, IJF can help you get connected and grow in your faith. We have many members who are interns at local companies, on OPT and work visas, as well as international students too. If you are looking for an international church during your stay in Reno, consider International Jesus Fellowship. Or we can also give you recommendations for a type of church or denomination that you prefer.
We have special groups to do life together, and grow in faith. These include:
We have special groups to do life together, and grow in faith. These include:
- TMCC campus group
- UNR home fellowship
- Japanese Jesus Fellowship
- Korean Group
- Chinese
- Married
- Graduate Students
- Visiting Scholars
- Leaders group
- Seekers / Beginner
- South Asian / Indian
- Arabic language group
- Life on Mission
- And occasionally more during the year
