Sheri's Forward Edge experience began in 2000 when her ordinary family got a last-minute call that a missions organization needed help the following day for a weekend conference whose scheduled worship leader was unable to attend. Her family of five thought they were saying yes to a weekend, but God had additional plans. Just a few months later, David, Sheri's husband, took leave from his job for a three-week Forward Edge trip serving Kosovar widows alongside Albanian missionaries. From that point forward, broken for the broken-hearted and motivated by God through the humble servants at Forward Edge, David and Sheri began facilitating teams to different Forward Edge locations when they could. There were long dry periods of time that felt very ordinary — it seemed God was leading them to just be faithful in their ordinary lives — in the marketplace. And then there were times when God was asking for a little more. In 2005, they, along with their three kids, resigned from their jobs and ordinary lives and moved to Tiranë, Albania for a one-year assignment to serve and love this previously atheistic country and her people.
Back in the states, life continued ordinarily as they resumed day jobs (Sheri an engineer, David a surgical technologist), finished raising their kids, and facilitated Forward Edge teams. Since 2007 Sheri has worked in a local school district, most recently managing capital construction — building new schools and renovating existing ones. She is overjoyed to now be serving alongside the staff at headquarters, building for eternity instead!
Sheri is passionate to see the glory of God in people as they walk in freedom and confidence in who they were created to be, understanding His immense love for them. She is continually overwhelmed by His demonstration of His glory through the beauty of creation, whether watching the sunrise on the drive to work, kayaking with her husband on a Pacific Northwest lake, or hiking and camping in the mountains with their married kids.
What drew you to the mission of Forward Edge?
The fact that God uses ordinary people to serve him with whatever they have!
If you could have dinner with any person in history (except Jesus) who would it be and why?
I would have dinner with my grandpa who died before I fully understood the power of prayer. A farmer and rural college maintenance man, tennis champ, and traveling worship leader himself (he played the saw!), I've heard stories all my life of his dedication to prayer for his family — I'd like to thank him and continue to learn from him.
What is something about you others are often surprised to learn?
People are usually surprised that I'm an engineer and got to work in San Diego right next to the ship where the Navy dolphins trained.