| |
About Foursquare
We are honored
to be part of a denominational covering called the International
Church of the Foursquare Gospel. This denominational association
provides authority, resources and fellowship to Life Bridge Church.
Here is some information and history about Foursquare. For more
information visit their website at
www.foursquare.org.
The Name
"Foursquare"
is a Biblical term used of the tabernacle in the Book of Exodus, of
the Temple of the Lord in Ezekiel 40:47, and of Heaven, as described
in the Book of the Revelation. The term "Foursquare Gospel" was
given in the inspiration of revival to the denomination's founder,
Aimee Semple McPherson,
during an evangelistic campaign in Oakland, California, in 1922. It
represents that which is equally balanced on all sides, established
and enduring. Such confidence in the power of the Gospel is also
expressed by the verse, Hebrews 13:8, displayed in Foursquare
churches proclaiming, "Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday and
Today and Forever." The Foursquare
symbols stand for Jesus Christ as:
The
Savior
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him . . ."
- Isaiah 53:5 (Titus 2:14, Is. 55:7, Heb. 7:25, Is. 1:18)
The
Baptizer with the Holy Spirit
"For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit . . . you shall receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth." - Acts 1:5,8 (Jn. 14:16-17, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:17, Acts
10:44-46, 1 Cor. 3:16)
The
Healer
"He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. . ."
- Matthew 8:17 (Mk. 16:17-18, Mt. 9:5-6, Acts 4:29-30)
The
Soon-Coming King
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout . .
. the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (Titus 2:12-13, Mt. 24:36-44, Heb. 9:28,
Lk. 19:13, Lk. 12:35-37.)
The Founder
The early 20th century evangelist, Aimee Semple McPherson,
was a pioneer of women in religion. Having experienced a profound
religious conversion at age seventeen, Aimee began preaching across
the United States and later, the world. In 1918, she established her
base in Los Angeles, California, where in 1923, the 5,300 seat
Angelus Temple was dedicated and became the center of her revival,
healing and benevolent ministries. She was the first woman to
receive a FCC radio license and was a pioneer religious broadcaster.
Her sermons were the first to incorporate the contemporary
communications of that day into her preaching of the Gospel. From
Angelus Temple she performed an extensive social ministry, providing
hot meals for more than 1.5 million people during the Great
Depression. She summarized her message into four major points known
as "The Foursquare Gospel," and founded a denomination called The
International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
Aimee once
wrote:
"You don't
need to be an orator. What God wants is plain people with the Good
News in their hearts who are willing to go and tell it to others.
The love of winning souls for Jesus Christ sets a fire burning in
one's bones. Soul winning is the most important thing in the
world. All I have is on the altar for the Lord, and while I have
my life and strength, I will put my whole being into the carrying
out of this Great Commission."
Aimee McPherson,
went to be with the Lord, September 27, 1944, while conducting a
revival service in Oakland, California. Memorial services were held
on her birthday, October 9th, at Angelus Temple.
From its beginning at Angelus Temple, the International Church of
the Foursquare Gospel has now grown to include more than 38,000
churches worldwide.
There are currently more than 5 million members in 141 countries
around the globe.
Current Leadership
President Glenn Burris Jr. graduated from Mount Vernon Bible College in 1976. He served as youth pastor in Concord, N.C., for a year and, in 1977, became a senior pastor in Macon, Ga. He later pastored the Foursquare church in Cornelius, N.C., and has served as a divisional superintendent, a member of the cabinet, and a member of the board of directors where he currently serves on the Building Committee, Bylaw Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Governance Committee, and the Pastoral Formation, Education, and Nurture Committee.
In 1992, Glenn was appointed district supervisor of the Southeast District; in 2002, he was appointed general supervisor of the U.S. national church. In September 2008, Glenn began leading The Foursquare Church as interim president for a 13-month term. He was then appointed president by the convention voting body, and began serving a five year term on Oct. 1, 2010. His passions are planting churches and caring for pastors.
|
|