You don't need special skills to make a difference in the world. That's what Friends in Action International (FIA) hopes people will discover about its ministry.

"I try to instill in people that we are just normal blue-collar people trying to serve with the talents God blessed us with," said Andy Bachert, chief operations officer for the nonprofit. "I grew up thinking a missionary was someone old, retired, poor, that moved to the jungle in a faraway country and was never to be seen again. That simply isn't true."

Instead, he noted, God called him into action when Bachert was a successful 43-year-old businessman.

"I'm just a normal person who took what God blessed me with to make an impact on lives around the world," he said. "We're nothing special, and anyone can get involved."

Bachert may not see himself or others who work with FIA as special, but the organization's impact around the world proves a different point.

Formed in 1992 by a few board members of the organization New Tribes Mission (called NTM then, but now known as Ethnos360), FIA - originally called Friends of NTM - came from a need to support missionaries who were being sent as Bible teachers, evangelists and church planters.

"These men saw a need to support those going by means of construction and indigenous skills training," Bachert shared, noting the organization hopes the work of its volunteers can help missionaries focus on teaching.

The organization's goal was to build relationships with the people who are being ministered to, and in 2000, Friends of NTM changed its name to Friends in Action International and separated into its own 501(c)(3).

The business has its headquarters in Middletown, but its mailing address is in Elizabethtown, and the organization is well connected to the Elizabethtown area. It is a member of the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce and works with multiple Elizabethtown churches.

FIA supports missionaries and mission organizations in locations with limited infrastructure, using construction projects and service to bring the Gospel to people who have not heard it.

"We go to some of the hard-to-reach places with short-term volunteer teams who help construct and teach trade skills," Bachert stated. "At our warehouse in Middletown, we also provide missionaries and mission organizations our international shipping services. From packages to crates, the whole way up to sea containers, we ship worldwide those much-needed supplies for missionaries and those they serve."

Although FIA has a few missionaries stationed around the world, the organization also serves other organizations and solo missionaries that align with its mission and purpose, Bachert relayed.

Like many nonprofits, FIA is always in need of people who want to serve.

"Our volunteers can help with administrative tasks here at our headquarters. They can help pack a container or build wooden shipping crates," Bachert remarked. "We have a volunteer grounds crew that mows and landscapes, keeping our headquarters looking nice."

Volunteers can also serve on one- or two-week mission trips.

And, he emphasized, the organization will match people's skills with the work they will do on the trips.

"God didn't bless me as an evangelist or preacher, but he has skilled me in multiple trades," he said. "The work I do to contribute to projects is just as valuable as the missionaries' work sharing the Gospel. Knowing I can use construction skills to help support Gospel work is exciting! Even working here at our headquarters is all support of accelerating the Gospel work of missions. It all ties together."

FIA can also use financial support as donations are key in seeing projects to completion.

"The majority of our staff and support people are self-supported missionaries," he said, explaining that they raise support for their salary. "This keeps our overhead costs low, allowing more donations to go directly to projects."

He hopes people will take a leap of faith and consider serving with FIA.

"I like to tell people, 'Go out with us one time. That's all it will take to get hooked,'" he said. "Our volunteer return rate is approximately 90%, meaning once they go, they go again at least once if not multiple times."

For more information, visit https://fiaintl.org.