Who are we
Footprints of Charity Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation founded in the state of Texas in May of 2010. The formation of the company was the result of a collective need to help less fortunate people all around the globe. The founding members have recently been engaged in activities to help support and participate in this type of work. The results of seeing this need first hand have brought to light the obstacles that prevent us from being effective around the world. The cost of supplies, resources, and the overhead expenses involved make this work more difficult as individuals. Collectively however, we can pool resources and solicit help from a community of concerned citizens. Our prayer is that through Footprints of Charity, we can make a huge impact on lives everywhere.
The Name
In preparing for this work, we did a lot of Bible study on how work was done during the days of Jesus and the apostles. Primarily we were interested in what Jesus did in his ministry. He stated in Luke 4:18, that his mission was to the poor and needy. Likewise, this is our target audience. He gained the trust of these people by helping them. He healed them, comforted them, had mercy on their wrong-doings, ate with the despised, loved them, and taught them. Although we lack the miraculous powers Jesus used, we can still be effective through our modern miracles of global food-sources, international travel, and medical supplies. In essence, we have the power to work miracles in people’s lives, gain their trust, and bring them the teachings of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the footprints of charity are not ours; they are Jesus’. We are just following the pattern He laid before us. Hence, our motto comes from the hymn, “Foot Steps of Jesus” which declares: “We will follow the steps of Jesus, where’er they go.”
Glorification
One thing we are very cognizant of is where the glory for this work should go. This corporation will not succeed unless God is with us as individuals. He and He alone will receive the glory for any good we are able to provide for others. The feet on the ground will all be focused on this. When thanks are offered to us, it is to be redirected to where it really belongs. In fact, we plan on not even using the Footprints of Charity name with locals in other countries. We hope to be viewed as a sort of courier for other’s benevolence through God’s grace; a FedEx of love, if you will. When someone sends you a gift and the FedEX driver delivers it to your door, do you give him the thanks for the gift? No, you call the loved one who sent the gift. Likewise, we direct all thanks and glory to the one who blesses us: God Almighty.
Mission Statement
The Footprints of Charity Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, humanitarian and educational purposes, more specifically to provide food, clean water, health services, shelter, education and spiritual guidance to those in need around the world.
Beliefs
Our goal in everything is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus called these the greatest commandments . (Matthew 22:37-40) We will perform the functions of this corporation under the guidance and direction of our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of all mankind. The basis of that is love.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Jesus came to this earth; lived a pure life free of sin; died on a cross not for anything he did, but in punishment for what we do; was buried and rose again on the third day; was taken up into Heaven. This is the good news. You can accept His sacrifice on your behalf and be free of eternal punishment. (1 Corinthians 15)
Accepting the gift: Peter’s first Gospel sermon touched the hearts of the hearers and they asked, “What shall we do?” His reply was, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Any conversions in the field, will be handled based on this example.
On Faith and Works: The Bible was meant to be taught as a whole, not in part. There seems to be a raging battle between “faith-based” beliefs and “works-based” teachings. The solution to this is simple. Teach the whole thing. The Bible is clear that we cannot “work our way to heaven”, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but it is also clear that “belief by itself is not enough” (James 2:19-20). Our take on this can be summed up in a single phrase obtained by combining these two scriptures: We are saved by grace through faith, which without works is dead.
Simplicity: The congregations we establish will be simple in design and function, to praise God and learn of His holy word through singing, prayer, and teaching. No big cathedrals or schools. No huge programs or pageants. Just simple worship with love and reverence.
