Donate
Pay Trip Fees
My Account
About Us
About Us

Financials

Our Team

Employment

Blog

Facebook-f Instagram Vimeo
Our Mission is to transform the lives of children trapped in poverty through Christ-centered, holistic care.

Our Vision is to see people around the world overcome spiritual and material poverty through Jesus Christ.
Programs
Cuba

Ghana

Haiti

Kenya

Kosovo

Mexico

Nicaragua

Uganda
Go to serve at one of our programs.
Mission Teams

Give to help children living in poverty.
Donate
Sponsor a Child
Mission Trips
Get Involved
Mission Teams

Global Prayer Team

Sell a Home, Save a Child

Planned Giving

Employer Matching

Corporate Partners

Stock & Crypto
Be the lifeline a child needs.
Sponsor a Child

Join our community of monthly givers.
Join the Verge

Cart 0

Forward Edge Blog

Child Sponsorship

Mission Trips

Resources

Stories

A Strong Cord Built with Chavannes

This November, Forward Edge International celebrated 40 years of fruitful ministry at our annual Worth & Purpose Benefit for Children. As part of the celebration, Forward Edge’s Program Directors were invited to attend from around the world. As preparations and accommodations were being made, I learned that our Haitian Program Director – Chavannes Jeune – needed a home to stay in during his time in the Pacific Northwest. My wife and I offered up our home as a place to stay, thinking it would be a great chance to serve… but what I wasn’t expecting was how much we would be served in return.

Embodying Faith in Action

After picking up Chavannes, and his son Vladimir at the airport, I immediately noticed what a kind, humble and gracious demeanor Chavannes displayed to everyone he encountered. My daughter, Noa, is 2 years old, and (like any toddler) can be energetic and rambunctious at times and wanted to play with Chavannes again and again.

As a Program Director and ministry leader in Haiti, Chavannes has an incredible amount of responsibility on his shoulders; I wouldn’t blame him at all if he ignored our daughter’s requests or shut himself up in his room to rest. And yet, every time Chavannes interacted with Noa, he would smile, sing out her name and play with her. They quickly formed a special bond, as I witnessed Chavannes’ love for supporting children – including my own – firsthand.

A Testimony of Faithfulness

As the week went by, I got to spend time with Chavannes, asking him about his testimony and how he came to be such an incredibly impactful leader in Haiti. With sincerest humility, Chavannes shared his story of how God rescued him from a motorcycle accident when he was young; with gratitude to God’s faithfulness, from that moment forward he committed to preaching the Gospel on every continent, while serving the people of Haiti, day after day.

And for the past 40 years that’s exactly what Chavannes has done. He has preached the Gospel in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. He has worked with churches, non-profits, governments and foreign leaders to help support the Haitian people with tools and resources for their physical, educational and spiritual flourishing. Despite danger and turmoil in his nation, especially over recent years, he has remained faithful to Jesus, to serving his Haitian neighbors, and to supporting children by leading Forward Edge’s Haiti Program.

God’s Global Family

As I listened to Chavannes share stories, pausing from time to time to translate his thoughts from Haitian-Creole to English, I couldn’t help but think about the book of Acts, and how Jesus’ followers grew into an eclectic, diverse global family. Chavannes and I are from different generations, nations, languages, and cultures. On paper, there’s nothing about our lives that would make us destined to become friends. And yet, because of the bond of Jesus, we are now friends, teammates and brothers in Christ.

The Sunday after Forward Edge’s Worth & Purpose Benefit, Chavannes joined us at our church’s gathering, and prayed a blessing over our community in Haitian-Creole, while Vladimir translated into English. Our church family was deeply encouraged and blessed by Chavannes and Vladimir and continue to pray for them as they seek to love their neighbors, just like we do, a few thousand miles away.

A Strong Cord

These types of friendships and partnerships are what make Forward Edge International so unique. Whether you’re making friends in another country while on a mission team, supporting a student through child sponsorship, or hosting a Program Director, everything Forward Edge strives to do is centered on our core value of Trusted Relationships.

As Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” These trusted relationships built around Christ are like a strong cord, unified for the purpose of bringing glory to God and increasing our effectiveness in transforming the lives of children trapped in poverty through Christ-centered, holistic care. I am grateful for Chavanne’s presence in my life, the strong cord that’s been built between us, and the beautiful things that God is doing through Forward Edge.

Jacob Nagy

Jake is the Programs & Operations Assistant at Forward Edge International and a pastor of Kainos Church in Portland, OR. He loves traveling, football (and futbol), being a dad and helping others experience God in new ways.

Bible Story

Whose Bible?

It started with a simple nudge—a last-minute feeling that I was forgetting something important. Rushing through the airport, I couldn’t shake the urge to buy a Bible. I didn’t know why, or who it was for, but I trusted the feeling. A week later, in a small village in Ghana, that Bible found its way into the hands of Talata, a girl who had never heard of Jesus. This is the story of how God’s quiet whispers and a small act of obedience became part of something much bigger than we could have imagined.

stories from the field

Learning to Smile

Many of us have seen profile photos of children in sponsorship programs; they are often solemn, sad and sometimes down-right angry looking. I know I have thought at times, “Wow, that poor child must be so unhappy!” But then I come across a video from the same organization in which

child sponsorship

Nubia’s Story: The Power of Love

Love has a way of radically transforming lives. At Forward Edge, we place our focus on helping children trapped in poverty reach their full, God-given potential (Ephesians 2:10) by meeting their basic needs (food, safe water, health care) and empowering them with quality education, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. This

child sponsorship

Am I Making a Difference?

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

forward_edge

Connecting the global church through vulnerable children’s programs, community development, and short-term mission trips

Child sponsorship doesn’t just transform a child

Child sponsorship doesn’t just transform a child’s life—it transforms the sponsor’s heart. It’s an invitation to see through God’s eyes and live as His hands and feet. Through this journey of faith, we discover the beauty of being used by Him to make a lasting difference.

"We are a family who loves seeing what God is doing around the world and joining Him as we are able. Often in our phase of life, we are not able to physically go. We help through prayer and funding. With all that God has blessed us with, who am I to say "Sorry God, I'm tapped out"? The $38 sponsorship comes up to about $1.25 a day. What can we do in our day-to-day that costs $1.25? I can hardly think of anything. Maybe a soda at Costco? But in general, we would hardly bend at the waist to pick that much up off the ground. Every one of God's children in need deserves love. So it is our great honor to be able to join God in what He is doing and wants to do in Ghana."
-Toben, child sponsor

Have you opened your Forward Edge calendar yet? 🌍✨ Each month tells a story of hope—answered prayers, new challenges, and the lives being transformed. This month, we’re celebrating two incredible milestones: the birthdays of our programs in Uganda and Mexico! 🎉💖

If you don’t have your calendar yet, you can get one next year by giving any amount at forwardedge.org/donate. Every page is a reminder of the impact we are making together. 🙏💫

Jane Wathagana’s story is one of hope and determ

Jane Wathagana’s story is one of hope and determination. Growing up as one of 12 children in Kijabe, Kenya, life was challenging. Her single mother, Mama Beth, worked hard to provide for her family, and those experiences shaped Jane’s heart for serving others.

At 20, Jane moved to Nairobi with a dream to build a better future. Through hard work, she established a successful tour company. But for Jane, her greatest passion wasn’t business—it was helping others.

In 2006, when Mama Beth could no longer lead the children’s ministry, Jane stepped up. Today, as the Director of our Kenya Children’s Program, she leads efforts to provide over 1,000 meals to children every week. For these kids, it’s not just about the food—it’s about giving them hope, opportunity and the chance for a better future!

Jane believes deeply in the power of education to change lives. One of her favorite quotes is from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Every day, she works to ensure children have the tools and opportunities they need to grow and succeed.

Jane’s commitment to serving others is an inspiration. Her leadership is creating a brighter future for children in Kenya, and we’re honored to have her as part of the Forward Edge family.

This month, we celebrate 15 years of God’s incre

This month, we celebrate 15 years of God’s incredible work through Trigo y Miel in Oaxaca, Mexico! 🌾

What started as a dream has grown into a lifeline for children, families, and entire communities. Led by Victor and Lety, who are like family to the 100+ children they serve, Trigo y Miel is a place of hope and transformation. Every child is known by name, every need met with love, and every moment filled with care. 💕

Through nourishing meals, clean water, church services, and education, Trigo y Miel offers both physical and spiritual care. Visitors often leave with their hearts forever touched by the joy, faith, and love they encounter.

We’re grateful for every prayer, supporter, and story that has made this possible. Here’s to 15 years of transformation—and to all that’s ahead!

Load More… Follow us on Instagram

Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Ka wula (hello), my name is Wunintira Rahanatu

Ghana
10 yrs. old

10-09-2014

Entered the program: March 2023

Wunintira lives with her parents and three siblings in a mud house with a thatch roof. The family has no access to electricity or potable water. Residents draw water from the village dam until it dries up; then, the women and girls of the community have to walk long distances to find other sources. Wunintira’s village is very poor and lacks many resources.

Wunintira’s family is Muslim. Her father is unemployed and her mother periodically sells rice to help with the household income. They live on less than a dollar a day and usually have one meal a day. Before Create Hope, providing for Wunintira’s school fees and supplies was an added hardship. She requires ongoing healthcare; as she has suffered with seizures since birth.