By Colter Hettich, Features Editor

First Priority of America (FPA), added native Abilenian Phil Boone to its roster.

FPA, a Christian ministry organization, seeks to “raise leaders, reach the next generation and restore the nation in the name of Jesus,” said Boone, ACU director of the Centennial Campaign. And though FPA is based in Nashville, Tenn., Boon will not have to move away from Abilene.

Boone will serve as vice president of fundraising for the organization.

Born and raised in Abilene, Boone has lived all but five years of his life here. Before landing at ACU, Boone worked as president and CEO of Resources for Living, an organization designed “to empower people and organizations to excel,” according to www.rfl.com. In the late 1990s, he spent his five years away from Abilene moving and establishing Resources for Living in Austin. Boone recently helped ACU finish its $156 million Centennial Campaign, but after meeting the founder of FPA through a friend, he decided it was what he needed to do.

The 21-year-old organization has already established itself on more than 3,500 middle school and high school campuses in the states. The southeastern states have proved to be the stronghold for FPA so far, Boone said. The heaviest involvement is actually in major cities including Birmingham, Ala.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Haddiesburg, Miss.

FPA is not a para-church movement but strategy Boone said.

“It is a city-wide, local church strategy that brings together students, churches, parents and business leaders in reaching the community for Christ,” he said.

The completely student led program aims to put high school students in local leadership positions. Though the program is geared toward reaching and impacting high school students, Boone expects plenty of opportunities for university students from all of Abilene to get involved.

“For now, there’s not much traction here,” he said.

Though FPA has not reached Abilene yet, Boone expects it to hit campuses in his hometown by 2009.