http://www.au.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7304&abbr=cs_Battling Bias
Americans United Challenges ‘Faith-Based’ Job Discrimination At Federally Funded Program In Pennsylvania
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The Firm Foundation is a project of New Life Church, a charismatic congregation in nearby Canton. The organization’s belief statement reads, “This program is based on the belief that lives are changed as hearts become open to Faith. The administration, trainers, and staff have committed their lives to this belief and are examples of Jesus Christ the Lord.”
A Firm Foundation official put it succinctly, remarking, “We see ourselves as missionaries and live accordingly.”
Program staff members distribute Bibles and other religious literature to participants. Much of this material comes from Prison Fellowship, a large evangelical prison ministry run by ex-Watergate figure Charles Colson. As AU’s complaint notes, Firm Foundation also relies on Prison Fellowship for “mentors and training of mentors for the Firm Foundation program.”
In Firm Foundation’s October 2004 newsletter, Restored, the group’s director, Richard Friend, writes that he came to the organization after praying “for years to be used by God in ministry.” He goes on to say that he woke up the morning of July 14, 2004, “knowing that I had been called to Firm Foundation.”
Later, Firm Foundation President Wayne Blow and Friend met with a spiritual adviser, who provided “prophetic confirmation” that the director was to join the ministry. (Despite the prophetic nod, Friend later left the organization.)
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