IFI Peoria History

IFI Peoria was established by Jim and Paula Hanes in 2017, following their sixteen-year experience overseas in Sénégal. They saw that time overseas as God’s preparation for serving the needs of international students stateside and partnering with them to make His love known among all nations. Empathy toward foreigners moving into a new land and needing a “free and friendly space” to be welcomed was one of the guiding motivations for their desire to work with international students. Sénégal is known as the country of “Terranga,” which loosely translated into English means, “hospitality at a deep level.” Jim and Paula learned many valuable lessons from the gracious Sénégalese people on how to host and put that into practice for 9 years in the Central Illinois area serving students at both Illinois Central College and Bradley University. The Hanes left a legacy of hospitality, prayer, and encouragement, always helping others to do their best and celebrating their success, which Peoria IFI continues to strive to do today.