Based on reviews from dozens of FIA volunteers, donors, and aid recipients, Friends In Action International (FIA) has been named a 2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits, an organization that allows people to rate more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofit organizations.
Headquartered in Middletown, FIA supports mission work in areas of limited infrastructure worldwide by using construction projects and other practical service to speed the message of the Gospel to people who have never heard about Jesus Christ.
FIA executive director Tim Johnston said that FIA's efforts have included providing clean water to more than 1,000 refugees of terrorism in West Africa, COVID-19 relief aid in remote areas of Bolivia, rebuilding efforts to the Rama Cay people of Nicaragua, cyclone relief to the NiVan villagers of Vanuatu, and life-skills training and educational support in Papua New Guinea and Moldova. FIA has created opportunities for more than 215,000 people to hear the Gospel.
Readers who would like to learn more about Friends In Action can participate in one of the events FIA is hosting this fall to raise awareness and funds for Christian mission outreaches.
To better adhere to CDC guidelines for social distancing, FIA will host two mission banquets this year. The first will take place on Friday, Oct. 30, at Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 E. Park Drive, Harrisburg. An identical banquet will be offered at Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta, on Friday, Nov. 6. At both locations, doors will open at 5:30 p.m. A served buffet dinner will feature beef tips, lemon herb chicken, and assorted desserts. The evening's program will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
The banquets will include a show of appreciation for volunteers, donors, and sponsors, as well as videos from the NiVan, Wewak, and Rama Cay people groups and testimonies from the field. Attendees will hear stories from the Messiah College student engineering team and students involved in The Collaboratory, a center for project-based learning at Messiah College. Skits, games, prizes and giveaways, auctioned items, and information kiosks will also be part of the events.
To purchase tickets or sponsor a table of eight people, readers may contact 717-546-0208 or fia-usa@fiaintl.org by Friday, Oct. 16. Online registration is available at http://www.fiaintl.org/banquet. FIA has announced that $20,000 in funds are available to match any donated to the organization's Where Needed Most outreach during the celebration.
FIA will also host a "Trinkets That Transform" yard sale at its headquarters, 3950 E. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees may also browse "Flea Market Flip" style projects, which were created by artisans who repurposed leftovers from mission construction projects into usable new pieces. Hot dogs, baked goods, and beverages will also be available for purchase. All proceeds will go toward the acquisition of a skid steer to assist in loading trucks and supplies for infrastructure projects. Further information is available by contacting Paul Brosey at 717-629-7328 or paulbrosey@fiaintl.org. In the case of rain, the sale will be held inside the warehouse located on the property.
In addition to GreatNonprofits' recognition, FIA has received a platinum rating from GuideStar, known as the highest level of transparency offered to nonprofits. To learn more about FIA, readers may visit http://www.fiaintl.org.
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