The second day of Foursquare Connection 2012 started on a solemn note of honor and respect, and concluded with a strong challenge to reclaim a passion for evangelism. In between, there were inspiring interviews, approval of corporate business, inspiring worship and more. All in all, it was a fruitful, enjoyable day under the warm Phoenix sun for the more than 3,500 registrants taking part in this year’s annual convention.
Tuesday’s morning session opened with prayer by Surekha Hulugalle, Foursquare’s national leader of the U.K. Following worship by Eric Diaz of the Hispanic ministry at The Rock (Anaheim Foursquare Church) in Southern California, Life Pacific College President Robert Flores conferred an honorary doctorate on Indonesian pastor and leader Hanny Mandey. Sterling Brackett, the denomination’s vice president of corporate affairs, chief operating officer and corporate secretary, then introduced a moving presentation that honored those Foursquare ministers who went to be with the Lord in 2011.
Next, Obed Orozco, senior pastor of Grace to the Nations (Tucson Grace Chapel Foursquare Church) in Tucson, Ariz., addressed the convention body, reminding them, “We will never have a voice with people we don’t understand, or people we don’t love.” Following the Hispanic pastor’s challenging sermon to break down racial divides within the church walls, Foursquare President Glenn Burris Jr. asked Obed to pray that God would break any places of prejudice or barriers in the Foursquare family.
Burt Smith, senior pastor of The Church of Living Water (Olympia Foursquare Church) in Olympia, Wash., introduced Leslie Keegel, Foursquare’s national leader of Sri Lanka, who shared portions of a prophecy he had recently received. “God is going to pour out His Spirit on the United States of America,” Keegel affirmed, adding that this move of God will happen in the next several years, bring recovery to the U.S., begin among Latinos and grow across the nation. Download the full transcript of his prophecy (PDF, 100KB).
President Burris then spoke briefly to the delegates about the five targets—leaders, churches, nations, people groups and resources—after which co-emcee Angie Richey conducted a Q&A session with General Supervisor Tammy Dunahoo and North American Regional Coordinator Ted Vail. The discussion included the importance of discipling leaders, the challenge of sending missionaries, and ended with Tammy’s exhortation to “let your voice be reclaimed to your city.”
After a brief recess, the first segment of the business meeting began. The president’s report, missions report, NCO report, treasurer’s report and Foursquare Financial Solutions/Foursquare Foundation report all were presented to and accepted by the convention delegates. El Clark, Foursquare’s corporate counsel, then presented three amendments to the minister’s code of ethics and five proposed bylaw changes, all of which will be discussed and voted on during the Thursday-morning business session.
A statement on immigrants was presented by Ted Vail and accepted by the convention body, and the business session concluded with an announcement by President Burris that a previously prepared statement on Israel would be tabled, due to requests for further revision.
Delegates were then free to spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the numerous exhibits in the Connection Center, including a reception hosted by Foursquare Financial Solutions. In addition, Randy Remington, senior pastor of Beaverton Foursquare Church in Beaverton, Ore., hosted a Mentoring Young Leaders session.
At 7 p.m., the evening service began with a prayer by Bill Wilson, founder of Metro Ministries, focusing on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which was followed by several powerful worship sets by songwriter and recording artist Matt Redman.
Special evening segments included a brief interview with internationally known evangelist Luis Palau, and interviews by Tammy Dunahoo with three leaders under the age of 35: Andy Opie, FMI missionary to Thailand; Tim Lee, a church planter; and recent Life Pacific College grad Rebecca Schaub, who is innovating a unique ministry called The Mobile Church.
Co-emcee Marcus Ellington also interviewed Bernie Federmann, who has pastored Lompoc Foursquare Church in Lompoc, Calif., for the past 25 years. His church consistently serves the community in such a way that the city of Lompoc heavily relies on and acknowledges the need for the church.
The keynote speaker of the evening was Chris Hodges, senior pastor of Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Ala., a prolific church planter who challenged: “Let us have a passion and a burden and a vision for the lost. Let us reclaim evangelism!” The pastor challenged the Foursquare audience that they are God’s Plan A for carrying out His work of evangelism, noting “there is no Plan B.”
Southwest District Supervisor Kimberly Dirmann and her husband, Jerry, senior pastor of The Rock in Anaheim, Calif., led the convention body in a time of prayer and ministry as the evening concluded.
Read More About Connection 2012
Day 1: Thousands Gather for Foursquare Connection 2012
Day 3: Youth and International Focus; Hundreds Gather for Conexión Hispana
Day 4: Connection 2012 Concludes With Commitment to Reclaiming Our Voice in This Generation
Final Wrap-Up: Foursquare Looks to the Future During Connection 2012
Order the Connection 2012 Experience Kit
Learn What Happened at the Global Summit
By: Beth Mead, a Foursquare credentialed minister who serves in the National Church Office
