In Matthew 13, Jesus is sitting in his friend’s home, after a long day of teaching parables to the crowds. His disciples ask him about the Kingdom of Heaven, and he shares another story with them, to help them understand: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Pearls have been considered one of the most valuable gemstones for thousands of years and across cultures around the world. Jesus knew that his disciples would immediately understand the value of a pearl – and the dedication a merchant would endure to find one.
The fascinating part about pearls is that they are an object of beauty, value and worth that is hidden from plain sight. Finding a pearl requires hard work, and an investment of one’s time, resources and energy. But when you find a pearl of great value, all the sacrifice is worth it in an instant.
At Forward Edge, we have set out to find “pearls” among the nations: men and women who love Jesus, love their neighbors, and have made an incredible impact through their ministry. We seek to partner with them so that the lives of children in their communities can be transformed through Christ-centered, holistic care.
And like the merchants from Jesus’ day, we have a thorough and dedicated process to finding our Pearl Partners. The six key characteristics that every Pearl Partner needs are:
Finding leaders who fit these core characteristics requires patience, a listening ear and discernment of the Holy Spirit’s leading… but it is abundantly worth it.
We have found Pearl Partners in Oaxaca, Mexico: Victor and Lety Velasco, who feed 120 children every day through their feeding program, while equipping young people with educational tools through the Siloe School and sharing the Gospel through their ministry at Trigo y Miel.
We have found Pearl Partners in Tamale, Ghana: Jonathan and Rhoda Haruna, who have provided children with access to school, safe water, food resourcing, and critical healthcare needs while proclaiming the good news of Jesus in a predominantly Muslim community.
And by the grace of God, we’ve found many more over the years – in Nicaragua, Kenya, Uganda, Haiti, Cuba and Kosovo. Each of these treasured partners were already doing impactful and sustainable work for the Kingdom when we discovered them ourselves; but their work was already being molded and formed by the Holy Spirit and their dedication to loving God and their neighbors.
Pearls are created by oysters as a natural defense against an irritant or parasite which threatens to enter their body. In the same way, each of our Pearl Partners has experienced a moment where they rose up to defend, care for and protect children in their community who have been affected by poverty. They saw how a lack of food, clean water, healthcare and education can damage a young person’s future, and they made sacrifices to help meet their needs. They have created a ministry that is like a pearl for their community, shining brightly amongst the darkness of poverty
When Forward Edge meets a potential Pearl Partner, we undergo a strategic process that includes meeting the leaders virtually, hearing their story, and then reporting back to Forward Edge’s leadership team and board. If this process is bearing fruit, our Director of Programs will conduct a “site visit” to connect with them in their context, identify key data points and then prayerfully submit these findings to the board.
This process takes time, but has produced deep, trustworthy partnerships with leaders who align with the mission of Forward Edge. We feel incredibly grateful to have found these partners and are praying that God would lead us to even more!
Forward Edge International has sent over 1,500 mission teams over the past three decades. During that time, we’ve gathered a few tips common among those who’ve successfully raised funds for their trip. Fundraising not only helps support your trip financially, it also provides a way for your friends and family
Relationships are everything. And it’s not just those in the U.S. reaching out to other countries; it’s the entire Global Church engaging with and learning from each other. As an organization, we seek to foster and steward those vital relationships. Recently, the director of our Uganda children’s program, Bonny Lugayizi,
Ever wonder if you’re really making an impact in the life of the child you sponsor? The very fact that your child knows you chose them shows them they are special and that they matter. They know they’re important to you and also to God, you may even be an
In Zaachila, on the outskirts of Oaxaca City, Mexico, live many impoverished families who’ve traveled from distant areas in search of more opportunities and a better life…only to find themselves confronted with the same devastating and debilitating effects of poverty: hunger, joblessness, water-borne illness, lack of education, gang violence, drug
14 yrs. old
Entered the program: September 2023
Leona lives with her mother and brother in a one-bedroom apartment that they own. The family lived for many years in a rented apartment but the owner was always threatening to evict them as they couldn’t pay the rent regularly. Leona’s uncles and some cousins gathered enough money together to buy them the apartment they’re in now. Leona’s mom sleeps in the kitchen and she and her brother share the bedroom.
Leona's parents are divorced. Her dad visits sometimes and tries to bring food to help out. Leona’s mom tries to make some money sewing traditional clothing in the summer when there are tourists. She receives government assistance but it doesn’t even cover the utilities; her siblings try to help with money for food and firewood, and hand-me-down clothes for Leona and her brother.
Leona's brother, Theo, is also in the Corner Stone program.
