Bright Blue Rose

Joe Anfuso is the founder and president of Forward Edge International (FEI), a relief and missions organization dedicated to mobilizing ordinary people to share God's love in practical ways in the U.S. and around the world. Forward Edge specializes in disaster response work, providing health care in poor communities, and addressing the needs of at-risk children. Since 1983, Forward Edge has sent more than 10,000 volunteers from across America to many parts of the U.S. and 34 foreign countries. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Joe graduated from Rutgers College in 1970 with a BA degree in English Literature. After college, he spent four years meandering the globe-riding a motorcycle across Europe, working on a ship across the Pacific, and traveling overland to India and Nepal where he spent one-and-a-half years. In 1974, Joe returned to the States and soon thereafter committed his life to Jesus Christ. He has been a follower of Jesus ever since. Joe spends much of his time traveling to the various locations where Forward Edge has ongoing projects, including Nicaragua, Mexico, Kenya, and the Gulf Coast where more than 1,500 Forward Edge volunteers have helped hundreds of victims of Hurricane Katrina return to their homes. On February 26, 2007, Joe and his wife, Karen, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They have three grown children-Heather, Ryan and Katelyn Grace--and one grandchild, Audrey Sophia Baker.