Friends In Action International (FIA), a faith-based nonprofit organization in Middletown, recently received multiple recognitions. The organization exists to assist missionaries serving in areas of limited infrastructure by using construction projects to help them share the Gospel with unreached people groups.

The organization recently received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of nonprofits. Only one-quarter of the 1.5 million charities rated have achieved this status. The four-star rating is the highest rating offered by Charity Navigator and verifies that FIA demonstrates strong financial health and a commitment to accountability and transparency. A detailed review of financial documents, such as the organization's Form 990, audited financials, and key policies, indicated that FIA adheres to sector best practices and financially executes its mission efficiently.

In addition, FIA was listed as a 2023 top-rated organization by GreatNonProfits.org after accumulating over 60 five-star reviews from supporters. As part of the process to select the winner, volunteers, donors, and people served by nonprofits are asked to share stories of inspiration, express appreciation, and rate charity service.

FIA also received the platinum rating - the highest rating available - from GuideStar, an online watchdog site that presents mission, legitimacy, impact, financial, programming, transparency, and governance information about every IRS-registered nonprofit organization.

"Friends In Action is humbled to receive these recognitions, but any success must be shared with our faithful supporters and volunteers," said Andy Bachert, the organization's chief operating officer. Bachert was referring to the more than 50 travelers who volunteer on one of 10 projects in six remote locations - Africa, Bolivia, Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, Vanuatu, and Mexico - each year, as well as the more than 2,000 individuals on their mailing list who consistently pray or give to empower their support of frontline Gospel mission work.

Readers who would like to learn more about Friends In Action International can attend the organization's annual awareness banquet. The event will be offered at two locations. On Friday, Oct. 27, a banquet will take place at Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta, at 6 p.m. The second event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, at 5 p.m.

Attendees at both locations will enjoy a dinner buffet complete with a dessert bar. The keynote speaker each evening will be FIA's executive director, Matt Durkee, who will share stories from his eight-week visit serving the NiVan people of Vanuatu earlier this year. Guests will learn more about an upcoming Water And Sanitation Health (WASH) initiative planned by FIA to bring clean water to more than 3,500 villagers through a gravity-fed water system. In addition, missionaries James and Morgan Tumwesiigye will share how FIA has helped their work among Ugandan women through their ministry at the Milandila Family Center. The banquet will also include a show of appreciation for supporters, along with games, prizes and giveaways, and performance art by local high school students.

To purchase tickets or sponsor a table of eight people by Friday, Oct. 6, contact 717-546-0208 or FIA-USA@FIAintl.org. Online registration is available at https://fiaintl.org/banquet/. FIA has announced that $50,000 in funds are available to match any donated to the organization on the night of the banquet.

To learn more about FIA's recent achievements, search for "Friends in Action" at http://www.charitynavigator.org, http://www.greatnonprofits.org, and http://www.guidestar.org.