From their desks in The Foursquare Church’s central office in Los Angeles, members of the Foursquare family faithfully serve pastors and churches across the nation and around the world. These eight people highlighted have served for years, even decades, whether it’s helping churches with legal issues, property transactions or even historical research. They do this because they believe in empowering local churches to reach their communities and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their names may be familiar to church staff, perhaps from an email or call or even a personal encounter. Now, get to know these people ready to serve you, and learn what they most enjoy about providing crucial support to leaders on the field.
April Torres
Administrative Specialist
Office of the Corporate Secretary
April appreciates how her role as a co-pastor and pastor’s spouse prepared her for service with Foursquare’s central office in Los Angeles, where she has worked for 18 years. In addition to processing numerous state and federal tax documents, she assists churches with charters, anniversaries and other matters. April most enjoys the opportunity to interact with pastors and staff members, saying that letting them know she can help resolve their concerns is fulfilling. “I want our ministers to know that I understand the heart and dedication of pastoral families,” April says. “I commend your work, creativity and service. Your church stands because you stand.”
El Clark
General Legal Counsel
A pastor for eight years prior to law school, El practiced as a trial attorney before joining the central office. Despite his pending retirement, El plans to continue working part time with the legal department and stay engaged with Foursquare missions. Through the years, he has helped numerous missionaries prepare wills, powers of attorney and other documents before their deployment. He warns that the challenges of modern-day culture mean ministry’s business and legal sides are too vital to minimize. “Never assume it doesn’t matter,” El says. “Ask questions early and often. It is cheaper (and easier) to prevent legal problems than it is to solve them.”
Kathy Sutton
Office of the Corporate Secretary
Kathy provides churches with real estate escrow services and assists with administrative matters for weekly executive committee meetings. She especially enjoys helping congregations with property issues, citing the example of a church that had signed a lease-option agreement. As the lease neared its end, Kathy read the fine print and ultimately helped the church avoid losing all the money it had invested in the property. “It may seem like there is a lot of red tape to get things accomplished, but there are good reasons for what we do,” Kathy says. “The people who work here want the best for our churches. It is an honor to serve them.”
Linda Metzler
Assistant Manager
Insurance Department
Helping congregations with insurance and administrative details, as well as encouraging them in their ministries, is what Linda enjoys most about her job. God prepared her for it years ago, as she learned the insurance industry and served her church as a volunteer and Bible school teacher. Many landlords of properties where churches meet are very picky, says Linda, explaining that she helps churches process needed paperwork so they can carry on ministry activities. “We really care about what is happening on the field in each of our churches,” Linda says. “Don’t give up on God. He isn’t going to give up on you.”
Jorge Sandoval
Document Management Assistant
Foursquare Archives
Jorge plays a key role in maintaining the legacy of The Foursquare Church and founder Aimee Semple McPherson, including digitizing records to preserve denominational history. A 16-year veteran of the central office staff, Jorge assists researchers and authors who have written biographies of Sister Aimee and instructs users of FileHold, a full-text, searchable system that facilitates accurate church research. His department also maintains Aimee’s former parsonage, the two-story-home-turned-museum next to Angelus Temple. The attraction greets several thousand visitors annually. “I like the people I work with and being able to be part of the Great Commission on a daily basis,” Jorge says.
Lisa Penberthy
Director of Operations
National Church Office
After growing up in Foursquare, Lisa wanted to serve the denomination. At Life Pacific College, her inquiry about an internship with the Southern California District led to a job offer. After six years and two district offices, in 2003 she joined NCO. Lately, Lisa has overseen the update of The Handbook for the Operation of Foursquare Churches, and is currently updating the Child and Youth Protection Manual. She loves helping churches minister more effectively, a task she understands as co-pastor of Hope Chapel Alta Loma (Alta Loma Foursquare Church) in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. “As a local church pastor, it’s easy to get caught up in the small things,” Lisa says. “Keep your eyes on the harvest.”
Cheryl Vincent
Missionary Care Coordinator
Cheryl has more than 30 years of service as a Foursquare missionary, in pastoral ministry and as executive administrator to the board of directors. Missionary Care Coordinator since 2008, she provides care for missionaries through communicating with them and administering to their needs once they are deployed—through such steps as crisis management, debriefing and spiritual coaching. Cheryl calls connecting relationally with missionaries the best part of her job. “The biggest privilege for me is when I have seen missionaries take it seriously to consider expanding their ministry portfolio by discipling and mentoring the nationals who will one day take their place,” Cheryl says.
Paulette McCammon
Financial Administrator
Paulette knows the call of God on her life. A veteran of more than 11 years of service with Foursquare, she has always loved the accounting field—and especially how she is able to use that experience to serve in her present capacity: “What I like best about my job is working with numbers and serving God’s people.” Paulette feels that she has served pastors and missionaries well when funds disbursed by her office enable them to carry out their ministries. Her message to these ministers: “Do not lose heart. Your work does not go unseen, because you are touching many lives for Jesus.”
By: Ken Walker, an award-winning freelance writer in Huntington, W.Va.
