Nearly 3,000 Foursquare pastors, leaders and church members from 41 nations around the world gathered for Foursquare Connection 2010, themed “The Power of One,” held in Atlanta this week.
During the May 31-June 3 event, held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, attendees heard from dozens of speakers and teachers on the “Power of One,” under the topics of “Reach, Train, Send.” Speakers included Francis Chan, John Maxwell, Harold Helms, Dale Jenkins, Jack Hayford and many more. Amena Brown presented a dramatic spoken word performance, and American Idol Hollywood finalist Jim Ranger sang for the crowd before his father, James Ranger, spoke on Wednesday morning.
A variety of worship styles ushered in the presence of the Lord during each session: Tommy Walker and Jacob Park, worship leaders at Christian Assembly, a Foursquare church in the Los Angeles; Jeff Chandler from the Southeast District; Aaron Keyes, worship pastor at Grace Fellowship Church, in Snellville, Ga., and worship leader at Catalyst events; and Dean and Karen Heath, who pastor Synergy Foursquare Church in Tulsa, Okla.
This year, each session premiered inspirational Power of One video presentations, which spotlighted people in the Foursquare family making a difference in their churches, their communities and throughout the world. Those featured included Mario Barahona, who was mentored by Raymundo Diaz at Angelus Temple Hispanic; Elaine Chi, who serves the Chinese community; Paul and Karen Yuschak and their daughters, who serve the inner-city of New Jersey; and Mary Bennett, who provides a home and love to orphans in Linefork, Ky.
On Tuesday, a business session was held for the majority of the day, followed by an evening session where Glenn C. Burris Jr. was elected as the new president of The Foursquare Church. The sixth president, who will take office on October 1, told the convention body that he “can’t imagine leading into the future without you.”
On Thursday night, Glenn and his wife, Debbie, were anointed with oil and prayed for by former Foursquare President Jack Hayford, surrounded by the board of directors, district supervisors and the global council. After a special time of praying over and anointing the president-elect into his position of leadership, Glenn addressed the convention audience. Speaking on the story of Gideon, he noted: “God has a journey, a journey that we will discover together.”
Wednesday looked quite different this year—during the afternoon, the Foursquare family came together to serve the city of Atlanta in practical ways. Then, in lieu of an evening session, attendees were given a Connection Time—a night to be with the Foursquare family through receptions and special meetings.
All evening and morning sessions were aired live on the Internet this year, bringing together hundreds of people who were unable to attend the full convention in Atlanta. Even those who were unable to be there in person were able to stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, Flickr photos and daily Foursquare Leader Minute video updates.
Daily wrap-ups, which include highlights from all four days, may be read online. In addition, a complete Power of One Experience Kit is available to those who attended Connection 2010, as well as those who were unable to attend. The kit, which includes all morning and evening sessions, all 60 workshops, the Power of One videos, books from speakers and a CD from Tommy Walker, is $199. All Learning Tracks may also be added for an additional $99. The kits are available for purchase online.
Connection 2011 is scheduled to be held in Columbus, Ohio, May 30-June 2. Details are forthcoming; check foursquareconnection.org for speakers, schedule and hotel information.
To read the daily convention wrap-ups, click below.
Day One: The Power of One to Reach
Day Two: The Power of One to Reach and Train
Day Three: The Power of One to Train
Day Four: The Power of One to Send
Overview: The Power of One to Reach, Train and Send
