Life Pacific College announced today that President Dan Stewart is transitioning from his current responsibility to the role of college professor and interim lead pastor of Sonrise—the Simi Valley Foursquare Church—a post he has been serving for three months. The announcement from chairman Dennis Easter, on behalf of the Life Pacific Board of Trustees, is in full partnership with The Foursquare Church Board of Directors.
In a letter being sent to Life Pacific alumni, Dan shared his heart about the humbling experience it has been leading the Foursquare Bible college founded in 1923: “There is great responsibility in this office, for there are few things more important than training the next generation of pastors and leaders for the harvest.” Dan began teaching at Life Pacific 20 years ago and became president in 2003.
Pastor Jack Hayford, president of The Foursquare Church and himself a former Life Pacific president from 1977-1982, spent significant time with students and faculty last Wednesday during a chapel service. “This meaning-filled moment is tender, triumphant and timely,” said Pastor Jack to chapel attendees. “It is tender because of the enormous gratitude we feel for Dan’s ministry. It is triumphant because of the fruit we’ve seen from Dan’s leadership at Life Pacific. It is timely because the Life Pacific Board of Trustees’ sense of comfort with Dan’s decision. Now, with five months before the start of the next semester, the college’s board has time to study the future while leaning on the grace of God for His wisdom.”
Continuing in his affirmation, Pastor Jack said, “Dan and Connie are such proven pastors. I, along with the International Board, rejoice with them in their anticipation regarding this transition. We receive their proposal, we commend their achievement, we warmly accept their transitioning and we support their vision.”
Dan’s transition comes in the midst of considerable opportunities on the horizon for Life Pacific. At the start of the new year, the Foursquare NextGen Summit ’07 generated tremendous interest in the college, including hundreds attending a field trip to visit the San Dimas campus and dozens of applications received that same day. With 741 students at the Summit acknowledging a call to ministry, Life Pacific is a strategic link in that pursuit. “Dan’s leadership and partnership during the Summit was without question a milestone moment in the seed-planting for the future of Life Pacific,” said Glenn Burris Jr., vice president of national church operations and general supervisor of The Foursquare Church.
The Life Pacific Board of Trustees will begin next week the search process for naming a new college president. Dan will conclude his role as president at the end of the current semester and will continue to be available as the Trustees may request his assistance during transition. “My greatest joy is the local church and being a professor at the college,” said Dan. “With the blessing of our denominational leaders and the college’s Board of Trustees, I will be transitioning to these roles, knowing there will be great fruit in this new season for me and Connie.”
