When I introduce new people to Forward Edge, I’ll often describe what we do this way: we help children around the world overcome poverty, discover their true worth, and pursue God’s extraordinary purpose for their lives.
I believe these three descriptors are distinct and important. Let me explain a little deeper what I mean by them.
Across the world, about 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack basic necessities like nutrition or safe drinking water. Moreover, 150 million more children were plunged into poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Haiti, children are being sold as property…in Mexico, teens search for hope through violent gangs…in Africa, AIDS orphans are abandoned in slums…and in Nicaragua, teen girls think pregnancy will put food on the table. My friend, this should not be.
Jesus taught us to always remember the poor (Gal. 2:10) and to let the children come to him (Matt. 19:14). Equipping and empowering children and families to overcome poverty is how we can demonstrate God’s great love to a world in desperate need.
Our dream is to see millions of children around the world freed from spiritual and material poverty and pursuing God’s extraordinary purpose for their lives. We believe that by equipping and empowering them, we’re investing in God’s Kingdom, both today and tomorrow.
Read how Caleb, Hannah and their parents are overcoming poverty >>
Poverty isn’t solved only by meeting external needs. While we can increase a child’s chances of flourishing by providing nutritious meals, safe drinking water, quality education and access to health care, to fully overcome poverty, change must also happen on the inside.
Internal change starts and ends with Jesus Christ. Every human being is spiritually bankrupt without him, and that’s the most important thing we teach every child we serve. Jesus is their only hope, but in him there’s more hope than one could ever need or imagine.
By Christ and for Christ, every child was beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) with immense value and purpose. Until they can truly believe this, the symptoms of internal poverty – fear, self-loathing, apathy, anger, shame, and depression – will continue to hold them back from true flourishing.
Discovering their true worth takes a long time for any child, but especially those coming from oppressive and impoverished environments. We’re committed to the long-term, consistent care of mind, body and soul that it takes to fully break the cycle of poverty for a new generation.
Over the years, children in our programs experience transformation internally and externally, ultimately getting what they need to thrive and carry the Gospel into their families and communities with great influence and opportunity.
But this looks different for each child because each child is unique. There’s no one size fits all. Think about your own children (if you have them). They are likely each gifted in different ways, and as their parent, I’m sure your desire is to help them discover and develop those unique gifts to build a fruitful life.
That’s why our programs invest deeply in each child, discipling them along the way, and helping them each discover God’s unique and extraordinary purpose for their lives.
To do this well, we must provide opportunities for them to jump the final hurdle in overcoming poverty: entering the workplace. Helping children obtain marketable skills through vocational training or university education – whatever fits best for each unique child – is an extra layer of support that sets Forward Edge apart from many other relief and development organizations serving children.
All poverty breaks God’s heart. In fact, that’s why Christ came – he became poor so that in him, we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). By joining together to help children overcome poverty, discover their true worth, and pursue God’s extraordinary purpose for their lives, we join Christ in His great work to redeem this world, for His glory and our good!
2021 has been an incredible year. At Forward Edge, our hearts swell with gratitude for all God has done. His awesome faithfulness through another difficult year has been such a blessing to witness. Children around the world are discovering their true worth and purpose and growing in intimacy with Jesus,
There is a word—or at least a series of decisions—that determine to a very great extent the story of our lives. In fact, if we fail to use this word and make those decisions, we will never experience the fullness of God’s plans for us. The word is “Yes.” One
In the heart of Kenya, where many children face the daily struggle of hunger, a simple meal can be life-changing. At Forward Edge, we’re not just filling plates—we’re filling lives with hope, strength, and opportunity. Our programs in Kenya provide nourishing meals that empower children to focus in school, grow in their faith, and dream of a brighter future. Discover how something as simple as a meal is transforming lives and bringing lasting change to communities across Kenya.
For many, carlota de limón is a nostalgic flavor of their childhood. We’re excited for this opportunity to share this recipe, which is near and dear to our Mexico program staff. In our Mexico children’s program, our two amazing cooks prepare meals 7 days a week for children. If you’ve
13 yrs. old
Entered the program: March 2023
Esther lives with her parents, four siblings, her grandmother and uncle in a three-bedroom house built with mud and roofed with thatch. They have electricity and piped water into the village once every two weeks.
Esther’s family is Christian. Her mother is a housewife and her father is a small-hold farmer who cultivates maize and rice. He barely harvests enough to provide for the family consistently, and they often go without food unless they are fortunate enough to have their neighbors share with them. Two of Esther’s siblings are not going to school due to lack of finances; but, with help from Create Hope, Esther nows goes to school every morning, and with a full stomach.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
