Russ Sermon, Director of English as a Second Language & The Apprenticeship Program – 

Rebecca Sermon, Director of the Wives’ Group – Rebecca@ifiusa.org

Russ has an AA from Century College in White Bear Lake, MN; a BA in Cross-Cultural Communications from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN; and a MA in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from University of Maryland–Baltimore County in December 2002.

Russ has been working with university and international students for over 27 years.  He has worked with students at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; the University of Washington, Seattle; Virginia Tech; American University; George Mason University; the University of Maryland–Baltimore County; and the University of Maryland–College Park.  He lived in Cornwall, England for a year as a Bible teacher, traveled to Chile to work with university students, and spent 3 weeks in China as a TESOL teacher.

Rebecca graduated from Knox College with a BA in European Studies.  Shortly after graduating, she went to Russia to teach English and Biblical ethics.  She worked in Russia & Russian-speaking Central Asia for almost 7 years.  She is a gifted teacher and loves learning about and meeting people from other lands.

Russ married his lovely wife Rebecca in July 2004.  Together, they lived in Kazakhstan where he was a TESOL teacher.  They began working with IFI in December 2007.

Russ leads a weekly investigative Bible study.  He also leads the English Conversation Club, which provides opportunity for international students to practice their English and make American friends. Russ also is the director of the Apprenticeship Program, a one year program to prepare young men and women to be ISM workers, especially at new university locations.

Rebecca leads the IFI Wives Group, a social and investigative Bible study group for wives of students and visiting scholars.  She also supplies hospitality to the many international students who visit our home.

Ways to Give to Russ & Rebecca’s Ministry

1. EASY GIVING: Give automatically through your bank account.
   (click image below to learn how)
2. Use your bank’s ONLINE BILL PAY or mail a check to:
   

   International Friendships, Inc.
   PO Box 82416
   Columbus, OH 43202-0416

   Please write “RUSS & REBECCA SERMON” on the check memo line or in the memo or account field in your online bill payer.

3. Credit Card online (see form on this page)