Two Foursquare pastors garnered recognition in national news media outlets recently for their influence in the arenas of politics and the fight against the modern-day slave trade.
David Edler, who serves with his wife, Susan, as senior pastor of Yakima Foursquare Church in Washington and is also the city’s mayor, was profiled in Charisma magazine, which noted that since becoming mayor in 2006, Edler has “been praised for building broad, bipartisan coalitions to address local issues.” Yakima has also seen a reduction in crime rates, increased investment in redevelopment and an improved public image during the pastor-politician’s tenure.
Also in the Pacific Northwest, Mike Mercer, a church missions representative with his wife, Kymra, at Beaverton Foursquare Church in Oregon, was highlighted in a USAToday.com article for his work targeting human trafficking and the sex trade industry.
“As a Christian, I can’t be satisfied knowing there are people living in such a condition,” Mercer told USAToday.com. “I’m a steward of the image of God. And every person on the face of the earth bears that image.”
Mercer began his humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the article noted. Now, having founded a non-profit called Compassion First, he is on a mission to free the enslaved and establish for them a rehabilitation and education network.
To read the Charisma article on David Edler, click here.
For USAToday.com’s feature on Mike Mercer, click here.
