Firm Foundations

THE CALL: 2024-2025    |    3 MINUTE READ
DENNIS JOHNSON, MISSIONARY EMERITUS

One Sunday, my pastor preached on the parable of the two houses that were built: one on the rock; one on the sand. We know the parable—the house without a firm foundation did not stand when the wind and rain descended on it. But the one built on the firm rock foundation stood through the storm. I remember singing that chorus, “The wise man built his house upon the rock,” when I was growing up.

Foundations are interesting things. In my growing up years, and then through all our years on the mission field, and even still today, I have built a lot of buildings and structures. It used to frustrate me that so much time, energy, and materials had to be used for the building’s foundation, something that is rarely seen or thought of once the building is completed.

The Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, on the left and Dennis and Twana Johnson with their granddaughters on a missions trip in Spain: Lily (top), and Dennis and Twana Johnson with both Lily and Evie (bottom).

However, if one skimps on the foundation, the whole building will be at risk. For builders and engineers who have experience or have studied construction, a foundation has three functions:

1. To anchor the mass of the building
2. To dispense and spread out load uniformly
3. To provide even lateral stability

In other words, the foundation bears the weight of and stabilizes the building.

One of the things that has always been important to my wife, Twana, and me has been to endeavor to build strong foundations in our personal lives, to influence the building of strong foundations in our children’s lives, and now to see the same thing built into the lives of our grandchildren.

Foundations are very important when you think about building anything, whether in buildings or people. Twana and I were blessed to grow up in families who had those “Firm Foundations” we used to sing about.

Here is portion of that hymn:

“How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

There it is—that foundation that anchors, sustains, and holds us.

Recently we took two of our grandchildren on a missions trip to Spain. Our prayer was and is that the experience of going to Spain and being involved in the ministry there would help them build upon their spiritual foundations.

One of the amazing things we were able to experience in Barcelona was to see and have a tour of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. This cathedral has been under construction for 142 years.

• Building started in 1882 and was designed by Francisco de Paula de Villar. Because of technical differences over cost and materials, he was replaced by another up-and-coming architect, Antoni Gaudi, in 1883.
• Gaudi drew the plans and oversaw the project until his death in a trolley accident in 1926.
• The structure is highlighted by six enormous towers.
• There are four towers that represent Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and they are each 443 feet high.
• The fifth tower represents Mary, the mother of Jesus, and it stands 520 feet high.
• The sixth tower represents Jesus Christ, and its height will be 565 feet. This tower is still under construction.
• The Sagrada Família is the largest and tallest cathedral in the world. 

So, what about its foundation? It is built upon a series of concrete pillars that go down into the ground over 65 feet. Now that is a firm foundation.

We stood in awe of this massive structure looking at it from the outside, but it was even more impressive from the inside, with thousands of stained-glass windows no matter which direction we looked. What could have happened if a firm foundation had not been constructed for this massive building? Certainly disaster!

So, what about us? You. Me. Our children. Our grandchildren. Or how about World Gospel Mission? Its employees. Its missionaries. Its outreach. Are we striving to be grounded upon the firm foundation that is offered us through Jesus Christ?

That great hymn “Firm Foundation” ends with this verse:

“That soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 3:11 (NKJV)

ACTION STEP

PRAY: Like Dennis and Twana, God has likely given you someone to care for. Are you laying a firm foundation for them that is anchored in God and His Word? Begin praying for those God has entrusted to you, that a foundation will begin to form in their lives—one that never shakes.

Missionary Bio: Dennis Johnson and his wife, Twana, served with WGM for over 40 years. They served in Bolivia, Mexico, and at WGM headquarters in many roles, including rural church planting, evangelism, dorm parents, teachers, school nurse, field leader, region directors, and the VP of International Ministries. They now live in Marion, IN, and are active in ministries in the community, their church, and around the world!