ABOUT US
Mission
Forward Edge International exists to share Christ’s love with those affected by poverty, disaster and sickness in the U.S. and around the world.
Vision
Forward Edge International addresses urgent needs around the world by mobilizing volunteers to help initiate and sustain long-term projects and relationships.
Who We Are
Forward Edge International is a faith-based missions and relief organization that addresses the urgent needs of afflicted people worldwide.
What We Do
By mobilizing hundreds of volunteers each year, Forward Edge International alleviates suffering through disaster-response work, health-care projects and programs for at-risk children. Since 1983, more than 10,000 ordinary people have found extraordinary purpose through serving with Forward Edge in many parts of the U.S. and 34 nations.
What We Offer You
Forward Edge International offers churches, schools, campus fellowships and individual adults: worldwide service
opportunities, complete on-site coordination of outreaches, experienced on-site facilitators, and
practical preparatory materials, such as training manuals, devotional guides, and cultural handbooks.
More than 150 men and women from across North America serve as Forward Edge "Facilitators." These dedicated servants are
available to serve alongside your group leader(s) in a support role, making sure building materials are on site, helping
coordinate daily logistics, and providing a relational bridge between your group and your host ministry/organization. They
have experience in short-term missions and, in most cases, a familiarity with the people and place where your team
will serve.
You will benefit from our decades of experience, the trust we've built over the
years with partners around the world, the quality of our training materials, and the administrative and
logistical support we provide. We'll help carry the administrative load so you can concentrate on
teambuilding and preparing for outreach.
History
In 1982, Forward Edge founder and president, Joseph Anfuso, was in Guatemala doing research for a book
when he encountered a short-term mission team from the United States. On staff with an international
church-planting ministry, Joseph had worked closely with career missionaries, but had had no exposure to
the newly-emerging phenomenon called "short-term missions."
Joseph returned to the U.S. with a vision to mobilize ordinary Christians to "get out of the pews"
and put their faith into action. In 1983, he led the first Forward Edge team to
Florence, Italy. In 1984, there were three FEI mission teams; in 1985, five; in 1986, 11; and by 2006
approximately 75 FEI-sponsored teams were serving annually in various parts of the U.S. and
around the world.
Past Accomplishments
Over the years, FEI volunteers have been used in the U.S. and around the world in many remarkable ways.
Here are some examples.
- In the 1980s, constructed orphanages in Guatemala and Nicaragua, which today are home to hundreds of children
- In the 1990s, constructed youth centers on the Crow (Montana) and White Mountain Apache (Arizona) reservations
- Since the 1980s, provided health care to thousands in Latin America and Africa
- In 1992, distributed emergency aid to victims of Hurricane Andrew in Florida
- In 1999, rebuilt a village in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch
- In 2000, repaired the homes of widows and orphans in Kosovo following Balkan war
- In 2001, built homes for earthquake victims in El Salvador
- Following the 9/11 attacks, fed and prayed with rescue workers at Ground Zero in New York City
- In 2005, built permanent homes for tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka
- 2005 to present: repaired homes and church buildings in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama following Hurricane Katrina
|
