The FORO concept is simple, and its impact is powerful. The word itself is Spanish for “forum.” LCMS International Mission uses FOROs to facilitate networking, start conversations and focus our resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come. Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. They need relationships. They need support networks. They need people like you to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them and stand with them. FOROs help provide that relationship.

Simply put, a FORO is an opportunity to plug into mission to extend the kingdom of God in a particular place. A FORO allows participants the opportunity to support a particular mission with prayer, short-term teams, vocational skills and funding. Each FORO is made up of five basic components: (1) mission education, (2) worship, (3) cultural outing, (4) ministry reporting and (5) budget discussion. These components are not unique to a particular region or culture, but they are intentionally cross-cultural to allow as many to participate as possible in all LCMS world regions.

Once or twice a year, missionaries gather with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools and partner churches. They sit down together, and they talk. They talk about spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran church and showing mercy. They talk about what’s happening on the ground. About the needs of the people they serve. About what’s working — and what’s not. The missionaries speak, and the partners listen. Then, everyone has a chance to respond.

The FORO model isn’t a top-down model. It’s not about one group making decisions for another. It’s truly collaborative. It’s mutual listening, mutual learning and mutual support. It’s about aligning around a common strategy, one that comes not from an office thousands of miles away, but from the wisdom and experience of our experts: the missionaries, who are living the mission every single day.

FORO partners bring their resources to the table — not just financial, though that’s part of it — including their human resources and knowledge. For example, at a FORO, an accountant might offer ideas on financial decisions, a nurse might offer insight on how to support health education, or someone from a congregation may simply bring encouragement and a willingness to help in any way they can.

When all these gifts come together around one shared mission, something beautiful happens. There’s unity. There’s strength. There’s sustainability. And God-willing, there will be a community of believers gathered around the gifts of God, forgiven and strengthened by the Lord for generations upon generations. That’s at the heart of a FORO.

A FORO is about transparency and commitment built on trust. And it’s deeply Lutheran. It’s about walking together for the sake of the Gospel.

So, if you’ve ever asked yourself, “How can I really make a difference in the mission field?” — this might be your answer. Not by going alone, but by joining in partnership through a FORO. By becoming part of the ongoing conversation. By standing alongside our missionaries and supporting them — not just in theory, but in practice.

Spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches and showing mercy are not isolated tasks — they are interconnected and provide direction in the mission Christ has given in Matthew 28 so that all may hear and know and believe in their Savior. In the end, that’s what a FORO is all about.

This mission is not only the work of missionaries but the baptismal calling of the entire church. As Luther reminds us in his Small Catechism, we are ALL called to fear, love and trust in God above all things and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Whether through prayer, financial support or direct participation in mission work, each of us has a role to play in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to people all over the world.