On Tuesday, June 1, Glenn C. Burris Jr. was selected as the next president of The Foursquare Church at Connection 2010, which is currently being held in Atlanta. The licensed ministers and registered delegates voted by written ballot at the annual convention as prescribed by the Foursquare bylaws.
As Glenn responded to his selection as president, Dennis Easter, senior pastor of Portland Foursquare Church in Oregon, prayed over him, encouraging Glenn to “be strong and courageous, for the Lord will be with you wherever you will go.”
Addressing the convention body, Glenn noted that the position would require partnership from the Foursquare family, and that he “can’t imagine leading into the future without you.”
He then added that the convention body should “look toward the rest of the week, committed to a mission of reaching the lost for Christ, birthed in our movement from the very beginning!” as the convention body erupted into applause.
Glenn received Christ as a child in the church his parents pastored; he was filled with the Holy Spirit and committed to a life of Christian service at a Foursquare youth camp. Following his graduation from Mount Vernon Bible College in 1975, he served as a youth pastor; he later became a senior pastor and served as a divisional superintendent.
He became the supervisor of the 10-state historic Southeast District in 1992 and served in that role until 2002, when he became the general supervisor of The Foursquare Church, a vice-presidential position. His direct oversight included the districts, churches, ministries and ministers within the U.S. He is a member of the board of directors and served as chairman from 2004-2008. Additionally, he served a brief term as president of LIFE Bible College East in Christiansburg, Va.
Glenn became interim president of The Foursquare Church September 1, 2009. In that role, he serves almost 1,900 congregations and approximately 7,000 licensed ministers in the United States. He also partners with national leaders in 143 other countries and territories. Though his office is based in Los Angeles, Glenn travels frequently, keeping in close contact with the leaders and churches he is privileged to serve.
Glenn has influenced countless leaders, and he celebrates the success of others as distinct victories to the glory of God. Glenn and his wife, Debbie, have been married since 1975. They are the parents of two adult children, Heidi Conley, whose husband is Dustin, and Joshua Burris.
Dr. Glenn C. Burris Jr. will assume his new responsibilities October 1, 2010. Please pray for him and his family, as well as the Foursquare family, as we make this critical transition in leadership.
The president-elect will address the convention body on Thursday during the 7:00 p.m. session. Those in the Atlanta-area are invited to attend the special service, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in the Centennial Ballroom. The service can also be viewed online at foursquare.org/connectlive at no charge.
