What is First Foundations, Inc.?
I prefer asking questions rather than answering questions. Maybe it’s because, as a reporter, I was paid to question news sources. Later, as a journalism professor, I was paid to question students.
In Heaven, I’ll still be asking questions -- without a paycheck.
King David is one of the people I hope to interview. Of all the words the psalmist used, there are ten that have claimed my attention for a quarter of a century.
In Psalm 11:3, David asked, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Two questions, please, David: why the plural of “foundation,” and what foundations did you mean?
Until I meet David in person, here is how the Holy Spirit has answered the king’s question for me. The foundations were the primary societal foundations in David’s day, and in every place and time since then. And if those fundamental foundations fail, the "righteous” citizens in any country can do very little. In 1985, the Lord inspired me to advocate three basic, or primary, societal foundations: family -- government -- religion. If those triadic societal foundations are destroyed anywhere on this planet, can righteousness be accomplished in that place?
By 1986, four other Christians in Memphis, Tennessee, joined me in chartering a non-profit organization to research and report on the societal foundations of nuclear families, constitutional government, and biblical religion. We called it First Foundations, Inc. Our initial project was the publication of a pocket-sized edition of the U.S. Constitution which included my commentary on Psalm 11:3. More than 65,000 of these booklets have been distributed in schools, churches, and service clubs. Next came the publication of a pocket edition of the Declaration of Independence, with a commentary on our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
The FFI office was relocated to South Carolina in 1997 when I was appointed a journalism professor at North Greenville College. Our office is now located in Travelers Rest, and our Board of Directors has been expanded to ten people in four states. Officers of the 501(c)(3) corporation are Ben Davis of Greenwood, Dreugh Batson of Greenville, and Marty and Dick Jensen of Greenville. FFI is a non-membership organization with a widespread constituency.
Educational media continue to be the primary focus of First Foundations. We have given pocket Constitutions to hundreds of students at Clemson, Furman, Greenville Tech, North Greenville University, Bob Jones University, and other schools. In 2001, FFI published “Pearl Survivors”, a book of eyewitness accounts by surviving veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Proceeds from that book were donated to a scholarship fund for young relatives of Pearl survivors. We produced an audio recording of the entire text of the U. S. Constitution in 2007 and gave CD copies to social studies teachers in public schools. Our most recent publication is the 2008 2nd edition of “The Billy Pulpits” -- a book that chronicles the history of evangelists Billy Graham and Billy Sunday.
First Foundations, Inc. is unique in that we have no paid employees. I have served for 22 years as the volunteer president of FFI. Our modest annual operating budget is underwritten by tax deductible donations from the private sector. FFI neither seeks, nor accepts, public funding from any government agency. Yet, through the years, we have awarded scholarships to high school students who have been winners in our essay contests on responsible patriotism. One of the winners is a 4.0 senior at North Greenville University who plans to enter law school in the Fall.
FFI is a nonpartisan organization with supporters from a variety of political persuasions. We are also a transdenominational organization that refrains from doctrinal discourse. We do, however, engage in debate on referenda issues in the public square. FFI opposed government operated gambling - the lottery - in South Carolina. We campaigned strongly in favor of the Marriage Amendment to the South Carolina Constitution. And we sponsored Judge Roy Moore for a 2004 Ten Commandments rally in Greenville.
FFI’s public advocacy includes encouraging our fellow Americans to read and heed the Bible. We have sponsored “Bible Fest” -- a two day Bible conference -- in Memphis and Greenville. FFI challenges people to read the Bible through in a year, and we make available a plan to accomplish the reading.
The President of First Foundations, Inc. is a frequent speaker in schools, service clubs, and churches on topics of responsible patriotism. Our website is www.firstfound.us, and the email address is ffi113@bellsouth.net.
Thank you, King David, for asking a provocative question. And thank you, Lord, for giving us answers in your Word.
Link: www.firstfound.us