About Merlin R. Carothers

Merlin Carothers is an author of several bestsellers on the subject of praising God. His books are translated into 53 languages, and there have been over 17 million copies printed. During World War II, he served as a parachutist, pilot, demolition expert, lieutenant colonel, and a personal guard of Eisenhower. Later he returned to the army as a chaplain. Since then he has become an evangelist and preacher, and shares eveyrthing that he has learned with millions in the US and around the world through Foundation of Praise, his ministry.

A primary goal of the Foundation of Praise has been to keep operating costs to an absolute minimum. While many organizations pay thousands of dollars to their presidents, this is not so with the Foundation of Praise. Merlin and his wife, Mary, receive no salary at all. They have resisted all tendencies to become a “large organization” with many employees and magnificent buildings. Since 17 million of Merlin’s books have been distributed, they could have grown in size rather than in ministry, but they have chosen to reach needy people to tell them about our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

The work of the Foundation was conducted in the garage of Merlin and Mary’s home in Escondido, California until a new church was completed in 1972. In 1976, another church was established in Escondido, and again the Foundation of Praise worked within the church. By 1980, requests for free books for prisoners, military personnel and patients had skyrocketed. Letters asking for spiritual help and prayer flooded the mail room. The Foundation moved to larger offices and attempted to keep up with the increasing number of letters and requests.

Books were stored in warehouses scattered throughout Escondido. This proved to be a disastrous temporary solution. Not only was it difficult to keep an accurate inventory, but the facilities baked in the heat and leaked water when it rained! Some books were ruined. Then in 1984, a marvelous thing happened. The Foundation was able to build a new building! It was designed so that all the work would be accomplished as quickly and economically as possible. Daily, vehicles back up to their warehouse and load books going to all parts of the United States, and throughout the world.