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With its very name, Foursquare Connection, our movement’s annual gathering, emphasizes the importance of family ties and history—elements that can be celebrated even more this year because of the Southern California location.

A large attendance is expected for Foursquare Connection 2015, to be hosted at the Anaheim Convention Center, May 25–28, because of its proximity to many Foursquare churches and high interest in the reorganization changes to be discussed and voted on as part of the movement’s ongoing Reimagine process.

Those registering for the event—centered on the theme “Sent,” drawing from Jesus’ words in John 20:21: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (NKJV)—will not only have the opportunity to establish and renew friendships with other Foursquare leaders from across the country, but also to draw on the rich history of The Foursquare Church and congregations in the region.

Though there will be plenty of teaching, encouragement and fellowship, attendees are being encouraged to make time to visit some of Foursquare’s historical roots and centers of present-day ministry in the area, to take fresh vision home with them. While some will want to extend their trip to incorporate visits on their own time, special tours are being offered on Tuesday afternoon, May 26.

Charter buses will be available to take attendees who register for the opportunity into Los Angeles, where they will have the options of being shown around the Foursquare Heritage Center, the historic Angelus Temple and Foursquare’s central office.

“People really find it enriching to experience Foursquare’s spiritual roots,” says Stacy Knapp, a member of the human resources team at the central office, who has led tours and is helping organize the Connection visits. “For some people it’s a bit of a pilgrimage, to see where Foursquare began, and know that it continues through them to this day.”

Visit Foursquare’s spiritual roots with Connection 2015 tours in Los Angeles.

At the Heritage Center, visitors will get to step inside Foursquare founder Aimee Semple McPherson’s home, which has been restored with original furniture, photographs, props, personal artifacts and other memorabilia. The parsonage is on the campus of another tour option—Angelus Temple, the first Foursquare church.

Just across the street, conventioneers will be shown around Foursquare’s central office. With around 100 staff occupying several of the building’s eight floors—the rest are leased to other businesses—the site is home to the president’s office, the National Church Office, including financial, legal and communication teams, and Foursquare Missions International.

Official tours will also be available at two other important Foursquare ministry centers. Life Pacific College (also called LIFE Bible College), which has been equipping Foursquare students for ministry since 1923, will welcome visitors to its campus in San Dimas. Foursquare Missions Press will also open the doors of its ministry headquarters at The Cornerstone (Anaheim East Foursquare Church) in Anaheim. Since 1981, the free evangelistic literature group has produced almost 200 million tracts, booklets and books sent to more than 100 countries. Tours will be available in English and Spanish, with refreshments and visitor “swag bags” available.

Another significant Foursquare site within reach of the convention venue for independent visiting is Sister Aimee’s private retreat, a 1929 Moorish-style castle perched above Lake Elsinore. The venue is offering tours free of charge for Connection visitors.

Wednesday afternoon, May 27, of Connection will also be free of scheduled business, to allow attendees to fellowship with others or explore the area on their own. Among Foursquare churches in the area known nationally and internationally for their ministries are The Cornerstone (Anaheim East Foursquare Church) and The Rock (Anaheim Foursquare Church), both in Anaheim, and The Church On The Way (Van Nuys Foursquare Church) in Van Nuys.

Life Pacific College also will welcome visitors to its San Dimas campus during Connection 2015 tours.

Other points of Christian interest around are the home of TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), in Costa Mesa, and Christ Cathedral (formerly the Crystal Cathedral) in Garden Grove.

The area’s numerous general attractions include Disneyland Park, Downtown Disney, baseball’s Angel Stadium of Anaheim, and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Registered Connection 2015 attendees can even procure a discount for Disneyland Park tickets by purchasing through our Disney portal before May 24.

Connection 2015 begins at 12:30 p.m. on Memorial Day—Monday, May 25—and concludes on Thursday, May 28, by 1 p.m. Keynote speakers include General Supervisor and Vice President of U.S. Operations Tammy Dunahoo, and Jerry Dirmann, founder and senior pastor of The Rock (Anaheim Foursquare Church). Also speaking will be outreach movement founder Miles McPherson, and human rights activist and author Bob Goff.

Registration for Connection 2015 is now open online and by phone, for $239 through May 22. Spouse or guest rates are $199. ForeRunners registration is $99, with Kids + Youth program registration available for $50 each.

Special accommodation rates are available at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel and four other hotels, all within walking distance of the convention center. Rates range from $99 to $115 per night.

For more information and to register, visit the Foursquare Connection 2015 website.

is a freelance writer living in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
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