1983
Our first mission team serves in Prato, Italy, ministering to recovering drug addicts and sharing the Gospel in the local piazzas.
Forward Edge is a 501(c)3 relief and development organization based in Vancouver, WA with international programs in eight different countries.
is to see people around the world overcome spiritual and material poverty through Jesus Christ.
is to transform the lives of children trapped in poverty through Christ-centered, holistic care.
We listen to God because we want to join His plans, not ask Him to join ours. We also listen to others (especially those we’re serving) because wisdom is found in humility and diverse counsel. Humble prayer is at the heart of every task, every meeting, every workday, and every decision.
Proverbs 3:6, John 5:19
The gospel is both word and action. You cannot have one without the other. Declaring and demonstrating the good news of Jesus Christ has always been – and will always be – at the heart of everything we do.
James 2:14-18, Romans 10:14-15
It all starts with children. They are the present and the future. Our programs equip and empower children to flourish and become gospel-centered agents of change in their families and communities for generations to come.
Matthew 19:14, Proverbs 22:6
We do things with people instead of for them. We fuel the vision and dreams of local leaders who know best how to empower their own. Our aim is to help every person pursue the good works God prepared uniquely for them.
Ephesians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Our God is relational and loves to advance His work through meaningful relationships. We serve one another, care for one another, work with one another, and dream with one another. We always prioritize people over projects because nothing else in this world will continue into eternity.
John 13:35, Colossians 3:1-2, 12-14
Many families struggle to meet their basic needs. We’re feeding children both physically and spiritually.
Providing hope and help to vulnerable children, some of whom are trapped in a form of domestic slavery called restavek.
Providing holistic care to children in the rural community of Kijabe who are especially vulnerable to being orphaned and suffer from severe poverty and malnutrition.
Families in Kosovo are still trying to rebuild their lives after war. We’re giving practical help to children and hope for a better future.
There are many in need in Nicaragua. We are reaching the next generation of boys and girls with the love of Christ.
Children in the slums of Uganda, many of whom are orphans, are given tools to build brighter futures through our Light a Candle program.
1. We believe in God the Father, who through Christ created the heavens and earth, who is perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, fully God and fully man, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in this life, making atonement for the sins of the world by His death on the cross.
3. We believe in His resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and His high-priestly intercession for His people that they may experience full salvation and His indwelling presence.
4. We believe in His personal, visible return to earth according to His promise.
5. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, sent to convict the world of sin, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower those who believe in Jesus Christ.
6. We believe that all people by nature and by choice are sinners, but that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
7. We believe that those who put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will rejoice in God’s presence for eternity, but those who refuse to put their trust in Him will be forever separated from Him.
8. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word, divinely and uniquely inspired, absolutely trustworthy, and having supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
9. We believe in the Church, the body of Christ, of which Christ Himself is the Head, and of which all regenerated people are members.
10. We believe that Christ commissioned the Church to proclaim the gospel in word and deed throughout the world, to encourage believers in the faith, and to teach and train believers in the principles of godly, fruitful living.
11. We believe God created human beings male and female in His image, and designed sexual relations to be experienced only in the context of marriage between one biological man and one biological woman. These parameters were created to help us reflect His unique characteristics and understand Christ’s devoted relationship to His Church. Only when we embrace them can we flourish under His created order (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:24; Matt. 19:1-11; 1 Cor. 6:9; Eph. 5:22-33; Heb. 13:4). This position also aligns with the cultural perspectives in our program locations, increasing unity as we serve together.
For the first 22 years of our history, we were primarily a short-term missions agency engaged in a wide range of ministry activities. In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast, Forward Edge transitioned into a full-fledged relief and development organization with ongoing field programs directed by local leaders in some of the world’s poorest countries. The majority of our short-term missionaries now serve in locations where we have ongoing children’s programs, including Cuba, Haiti, Ghana, Kenya, Kosovo, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Uganda.
This unique history has positioned us to not only understand what it takes to engage in effective, cross-cultural development, but also provide meaningful mission opportunities that strategically support ongoing programs in the field and contribute towards lasting change. We invite you to be part of God’s unique work through Forward Edge!
Forward Edge International was founded by Joseph Anfuso in 1983 through the conviction and inspiration of Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Joseph’s passion was to help each Christ-follower hear and respond to God’s call.
We are committed to transparency and to responsibly managing the support entrusted to us. Through extensive program evaluation, strategic planning, and board governance, we leverage contributions for maximum impact.
Only 15% of your gift to our programs will be set aside for administration and fundraising costs.
Our children’s programs have proven effective towards long-term, holistic transformation.
Your investment empowers credible nationals caring for their own people & community.
