"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Crist."
TRUE FOUNDATION FULL GOSPEL BAPTIST CHURCH
THE VISION
THE PAST…..
True Foundation Baptist Church was organized under its present leader, Pastor Frederick M. Jackson, Sr. on August 14, 1991 after he served for several years as an assistant minister at New Friendship Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Benjamin Holmes.
The charter members were Frederick M. Jackson, Sr., Ester Corene Jackson (pastor's mother), Alberta Archibald, Idella Jackson, Jeannette Jackson, Candace Bell, Renee Kellom, Thelma Bonner, Walter Jackson, Jr., Betty Jackson, Marian E. Jackson, and Joan Long. These few believed that "with God all things are possible." Only God knew how boundless these possibilities would be.
Witnessing the unfolding of this temple, God blessed the church with a name that would serves as a shelter for those seeking refuge and as food for the spiritually hungry. The name "True Foundation" was derived from 1 Corinthians 3:11, which states, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." The name reflects the truth of God's Word that say's "…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The first worship service was held at the Gary Neighborhood Services Building at 21st and Washington Street, Gary, Indiana. The membership grew quickly from twelve members to fifty. True Foundation exemplified the scripture from Acts 3:44 in that "all that believed were together and had all things common." From the inception of this ministry, the common purpose of the members has been to seek the betterment of mankind through the spiritual nourishment provided by the Word of God. Pastor Jackson taught the membership the importance of not ignoring the physical aspects of God's provision, so the church organized ford drives and donated gifts to area shelters and homes.
A greater vision for the church was given to our Pastor after three months at the Gary Neighborhood Services Building. The vision was of a temple that would accommodate the church's growing ministry and a temple that would be used for the glory of God. Using the eyes of faith, Pastor Jackson began looking for that temple. God placed St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, located at 4701 Pierce Street, before the Pastor as the manifestation of the vision.
On February 21, 1992, The St Nicholas Orthodox Church board accepted an offer from the True Foundation advisory board. The church motto became "Temporarily, right now, we are at 21st an Washington, but in the spring we will be at 4701 Pierce."
In 1995, the Lord gave Pastor Jackson the directive to become a part of the Full Gospel Church Fellowship, under the leadership of the National Presiding Bishop, Paul S. Morton. The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship embraces all ministries, churches, individuals, or other constituents that acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ and Savior and Lord and who also believe in receiving all God's Word has promised to believers, including operating of spiritual gifts. The ministry underwent a name change to True Foundation Full Gospel Baptist Church. Pastor Jackson holds the position of State Bishop of Indiana.
THE PRESENT…..
The ministry is in a growth phase after being pruned by the Spirit of the Lord. Now according to Revelation 3:2, we are "strengthening the things which remain." The spiritual focus of the ministry is the development of the inner man. Since that time of spiritual pruning, Pastor Jackson has led the membership in to a dynamic study through "The Purpose Driven Life." We are here not to build a church "building" but to build lives that will stand against the wiles of the enemy.
True Foundation Church ministry is on the move for Christ. The Women's Ministry, Sisters-In-Christ, sponsors a women's conference in November. The Good Samaritan Food Drive provides food baskets for the needy. Our ministry sponsors a clothing give away for the community and have also reached out to the surrounding communities through evangelism where many souls have been saved.
THE FUTURE….
The vision pf the church is to evangelize the City of Gary and the surrounding communities. We believe in the mandate given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, and of the Son, and of The Holy Spirit."
As the Spirit of the Lord leads us, we plan to relieve the church of all debt; strengthen our evangelism and outreach ministries; continue the spiritual development of our members and establish fellowship opportunities with diverse ministries.
However our journey does not cease here. There still much to do in a world that is so spiritually deprived and burden heavy. Through Christ we will "loose the bonds of the wickedness and undo the heavy burdens; to let the oppressed go free," (Isaiah 58:6). Then, our light shall surely break forth as the morning…..and the glory of the Lord shall be our reward.