“The Power of One to Train” was the theme for day three of Foursquare Connection 2010, held this year in the beautiful city of Atlanta. Inspiring messages were offered during the morning sessions by Foursquare pastors James Ranger, from New Life Center in Bakersfield, Calif., and Dale Jenkins, of New Hope Worship Center in Concord, N.C. The challenge of these messages was clear and focused on the need and the process of training for effective ministry in our local churches.
One of the highlights of today’s sessions was an interview with John Maxwell and Jack Hayford, conducted by Foursquare pastor Jason Albelo of East Hill Church Family in Gresham, Ore. These world-renowned Christian “trainers” spoke of leadership principles borne out of years of studying the Bible, as well as best practices that have been field-tested in the workplace and through years of service in the local church. For the first time ever at convention, the duo even took a question submitted via Twitter.
Always helpful, the first day of workshops launched this afternoon. With over 30 options available, Foursquare pastors and leaders learned more about how to use social media, make an impact on their city, build an arts community, shape a healthy NextGen culture and much more. An additional 30 workshops will be held tomorrow.
Firsts to Connection
Foursquare Connection 2010 introduced several innovations, particularly in the delivery of the convention experience to delegates. Social networking and online media have converged to make this week’s activities widely available to people around the world—even those that could not make it to Atlanta.
A great number of viewers have participated in this year’s Connection via online video streaming. Many of those have joined the conversation about their experiences during Connection 2010 through Twitter. Thousands more have joined in the Foursquare Connection 2010 conversation on Facebook.
Another first today was the introduction of Conexión Hispana 2010, a specific convention experience offered exclusively in Spanish. Leaders from Conexión Hispana and those in the English-speaking session were connected online via Skype for portions of the morning sessions. Conexión Hispana featured general sessions, workshops, worship and fellowship by and for Foursquare Hispanic leaders.
Convention attendees braved the “hot-lanta” sun and humidity to serve the city in the first-ever Foursquare Connection Atlanta Outreach Serving Project. Three groups impacted grandparents raising their grandchildren, cared for women at the Atlanta Union Mission and held a barbecue and chess tournament for homeless men and former prisoners. Similar projects will be held tomorrow.
Finally, there was no evening service on Wednesday, in order to make way for dozens of affinity groups to meet, network and fellowship. These groups were encouraged to gather in various venues and at different times for focused meetings, casual conversations and formal receptions, and included gatherings such as Life Pacific College alumni, national leaders serving Foursquare Missions International, NextGen leaders, as well as leaders representing various ethnicities.
Wednesday was indeed a day of firsts for Foursquare’s annual convention, with several innovations in the schedule and in the program. At the end of the day, leaders of the movement celebrated their new president, scores of helpful insights on training were shared, and perhaps most important, a renewed sense of hope and unity became evident among Foursquare leaders.
Foursquare Connection 2010 continues through Thursday, June 3. Daily episodes of “Foursquare Leader Minute: Connection Edition are available online; written summaries will be posted each night, following the main evening session.
All evening and morning sessions, Power of One videos and workshops may be purchased in the Power of One Experience Kit.
