There’s something for everyone—but especially for families—at Foursquare Connection 2013: refreshment for the body, engagement for the soul and rejuvenation for the spirit.
Hosted at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from May 28–30, this year’s annual gathering will feature world-class speakers, a compressed schedule, dynamic worship and a special multi-generational finale. Organizers have revised the event with families in mind—starting with an extra day in the schedule just for play.
“We’ve intentionally started convention on Tuesday this year in order to give people time to come in early and enjoy the various theme parks and attractions ahead of time, so that when they come to convention they’re able to focus and enjoy what God wants to do in that time,” says Connection Manager Tammy Sevcov. “We’re really encouraging people to come in advance and take advantage of the extra day.”
In addition to offering a special room rate and discounted Walt Disney World® Resort tickets, staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort includes transportation to and from the airport. The property surrounding the resort is beautiful and lends itself to a time of refreshment. Hammocks sit aside a lake, an arcade is nestled near the pools, and there are plenty of places for kids to play.
Families can take Monday to decompress before the jam-packed conference begins. And just as the resort will refresh attendees on a physical level, the sessions will recharge them spiritually. Convention organizers emphasize that there will be uplifting worship and an atmosphere where those attending, especially weary pastors, will be refilled and recharged.
That focus isn’t just for adults. A new Kids + Youth program will feature a camp feel so young people can be refreshed. Led by the Heartland District, the program will feature activities and games, and a renewed emphasis on worship. The idea is not to just keep kids busy so that parents can attend the sessions—instead, it will be a time to minister to children of ministers, and for kids to even minister to and pray for one another.
The final session of Connection 2013 will tie the entire week together with a multi-generational service, creatively combining Foursquare’s youth with ForeRunners. Service awards will be given to those who have served as Foursquare credentialed ministers for 50 and 60 years.
Corporate Secretary Sterling Brackett, whose office coordinates the presentation of the service awards, also serves as the liaison between the central office and the various ForeRunners groups across the nation. He stresses the importance of appropriately honoring those who have served in the past and who have made it possible for our church to experience fruitfulness today and into the future.
“Those who are being honored for 50 or 60 years of service have literally given their entire lives to ministry,” Sterling says. “Our honoring them in front of the younger generation is very significant. It is important for younger generations to see appropriate honor given, and it is also vital that they see such stellar examples of kingdom faithfulness.”
The Foursquare executive leadership hopes that this generational-focused finale becomes a bonding experience spiritually. Leaders are excited about this service becoming a unique family opportunity; everyone will be together, and will also take communion together as families.
Convention organizers say that their heart and hope is that Connection 2013 will be a retreat for one’s spirit, soul and body. With engaging family as the focus, leaders hope that Foursquare ministers and staff see this year’s gathering as the one getaway they can’t afford to miss.
The Connection 2013 theme—”Engage: Learn. Live. Lead.”—is all about being a healthy leader. Healthy leaders produce healthy ministries. And healthy ministries create a healthy movement.
For more information, visit the official Connection website. Early Bird registration rates for Connection 2013 are available through Feb. 27.
