Beyond Borders got its official start in 1993 as a spin-off of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE). EAPE was founded by Dr. Tony Campolo, a sociologist and well-known Christian speaker and author. Tony is known widely for his passionate call for Christians to take seriously Christ's demand that we seek justice for the poor, liberation for people who are oppressed, and abandon our society's idolatrous love of money.
Under Tony's leadership, EAPE had been working in Haiti since the late '70's, first supporting an orphanage in the north of Haiti and then several schools and literacy training centers in the south of Haiti. Along with the work in Haiti, EAPE also supported work in the neighboring Dominican Republic and a variety of ministries for youth and children in inner city Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.

In 1991, the EAPE staff in Haiti established an office in Port-au-Prince and began forming a local advisory board to help guide EAPE's work in the country. The members of this advisory board were well-respected Haitian leaders and several expatriates who had decades of experience serving in Haiti. Under the guidance of this advisory board, the EAPE staff in Haiti proposed that EAPE create an independent organization in Haiti that would oversee the work of EAPE. This organization would seek legal recognition as a Haitian foundation with several advisory board members becoming the board of directors.

During this same period, Tony and the EAPE board had been engaged in a discernment process for the future direction of EAPE. By the fall of 1992 they had concluded that EAPE's various ministries should develop more autonomy from EAPE. They asked the director of each ministry to come up for a plan for either merging their work with another organization or creating their own board and non-profit organization.

In December 1992, Tony and the EAPE board approved a proposal from David Diggs and John Engle, their staff in Haiti, for the creation of two organizations, one based in Haiti and the other in the U.S. The organization in Haiti would take over responsibility for EAPE's work there and continue to refine and further its mission of promoting education for Haiti's people. The organization in the U.S. would take responsibility not only for raising funds for the work in Haiti, but would also seek to amplify Tony's call to wealthy Christians to leave behind their pursuit of money, power, and status and instead make justice their ambition.

In the spring of 1993, Beyond Borders was legally constituted as a non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Several key supporters of EAPE's work in Haiti formed its first board. And three former EAPE staff members formed its staff. Meanwhile, the several members of EAPE's advisory board in Haiti formed the board of directors for the new organization in Haiti, which came to be called Fondasyon Limyè Lavi--The Light for Life Foundation.

Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi became partners in mission, working together for justice and peace by promoting education in Haiti and challenging privileged Christians outside Haiti to reexamine their priorities and join the struggle for justice for the world's poor and dispossessed.

From the beginning, both Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi decided to adopt a non-hierarchical organizational structure. Decisions were made by consensus. Priority was given to creating a working environment that allowed staff members to pursue their individual callings with passion. Although this decision met some initial skepticism, we are more convinced than ever that this was the right decision. We now vigorously promote participatory leadership and more open organizational structures among our partners in Haiti and abroad.

Our work both in Haiti and abroad has grown both in its quality and in its size. Initially our focus in Haiti was on directly funding literacy centers for children and adults. We have worked to improve the quality of education provided in these centers by promoting teacher training and more participatory program management, planning, and evaluation. More recently we have sought to increase our impact by sharing what we have been learning with other institutions and leaders in Haiti. We are providing training and leadership development to a growing number of teachers, literacy instructors, community organizers & church leaders. We are also participating in a national children's rights campaign that seeks the elimination of child slavery and exploitation in Haiti.

Beyond Borders also continues to expand its reach and effectiveness among its constituents in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. We are collaborating with a growing number of ministries and organizations that share our mission. We are developing an initiative that challenges children and youth to live more justly and with greater awareness of their privileges and responsibilities.

Beyond Borders financial support comes from a broad base of individuals and families. Over 900 supporters provided nearly $500,000 during fiscal year 2001. We are grateful for our supporters, knowing that many show their solidarity with the poor not only by what they give, but also by how they live their lives.

We are also grateful for the ministry of Tony Campolo and EAPE. They continue to be a great financial and moral support to Beyond Borders as we strive to remain faithful to the vision of EAPE.

>>Learn more about Tony Campolo, EAPE, and other Ministries in the EAPE family.