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In our first “People You Should Know” series, we introduce 10 unsung female heroes of Foursquare. These women are changing the way we do ministry in the U.S., from the home to the pulpit to the mission field.

Joanne Bainbridge
Missionary
Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico

In 2008, the Bainbridge family began a life-changing journey. Joanne Bainbridge, 48, has been transformed through and amazed by God’s plans for her family. As a missionary sent from Westminster Foursquare Church in California, Joanne has seized the opportunity to minister to youth, families and other Christian leaders in the region. She encourages her community by feeding the hungry, serving local pastors and hosting friends. With humility and a heart for hospitality, Joanne ministers as a true servant-leader to the people of Mexico.

Gabriella Van Breda
Co-Senior Pastor
The Gathering Place (Bellevue 2 Foursquare Church)
Bellevue, Wash.

Gabriella Van Breda, 59, has worked in good company with many excellent leaders. For eight years she served as divisional superintendent for the former Eastgate Division of Foursquare churches, and has been a Foursquare Foundation board member for the last seven years. Gabriella is an international church planter, as well as a school founder, ministry leader, wife, mom and an all-around gem. Viewing her Christian obligation as one of global responsibility, she uses her influence to train, educate and resource others. “The church needs to be so influential in the community that there would be an outcry if the church were to close its doors,” she says.

Susan Gaddis
Assisting Pastor
Father’s House (Atascadero Foursquare Church)
Atascadero, Calif.

As a pastor, author and speaker, Susan Gaddis, 61, says she works to “mentor others in life skills that translate into intentional faith.” She views faith as something that is contagious, passed on “like a baton” to our personal communities—our families, friends and co-workers. Susan directs the Ministry Training Center and intercession team at Father’s House, and additionally offers guidance to the women’s ministry. She has co-authored articles for local publications with the hope of highlighting unique community happenings and individuals. Capitalizing on social media and other digital resources, Susan works to encourage and connect.

Lyla Grimm
Senior Pastor
Centro de Vida y Esperanza (Olympia Hispanic Foursquare Church)
Lacey, Wash.

Lyla Grimm, 58, has engaged in missions from Colombia to Romania. This mother of two and grandmother of four is passionate about connecting others to Jesus, church planting, missions and leadership development. Lyla has taken her gifts of speaking, preaching and leading others and put them to work—currently serving a bilingual congregation. “The greatest challenge I have ever faced was planting this church,” she states. “Everything natural said no! However, you and I don’t walk in the natural. We walk in the supernatural.”

Lydia Ingegneri
Co-Pastor
Grace North Church (Anthem Foursquare Church)
Anthem, Ariz.

Lydia Ingegneri, 30, is a profound teacher and a powerful worship leader. This mother of four young children is known for the tremendous care she shows her family and the excellence with which she leads as pastor over the discipleship and women’s ministries. She is said to “prophesy in song” and “preach up a storm.” Additionally, Lydia serves as a conference speaker. Ever encouraging, she offers this word to others: “Saturate yourself in His presence, and seek Him with your whole heart. He will establish you, lead and guide you, mature you, and minister to you as you minister to others.”

Marjorie Kitchell
Senior Pastor
Christian Center (Boulder City Foursquare Church)
Boulder City, Nev.

Connection to the community is undoubtedly a top priority for pastor Marjorie Kitchell, 80, of Nevada—as evidenced by her initiative as a Foursquare leader. Marjorie has contributed to strong community-church ties by sponsoring a daycare center, downtown thrift store and pastor’s prayer breakfast. A major creator of opportunities for connection, Marjorie unsurprisingly describes her community as “tight-knit.” Marjorie served for several years on the Foursquare cabinet, and as a divisional superintendent in Nevada. She has pastored for 45 years.

Rae Casteel Orozco
Senior Pastor
Grace to the Nations (Tucson Grace Chapel Foursquare Church)
Tucson, Ariz.

Senior Pastor Rae Casteel Orozco, 48, has a heart for people of all backgrounds and is passionate, she says, about leading others in moving “beyond mediocrity to the fullness of God’s purposes.” In 2011, she was the second evangelical minister and the first woman to be invited to speak for the All Nations Chapel service at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York City. A powerful communicator, she has been invited to return and conduct the first ever “Week of Revival” at the U.N. The recipient of the 2011 Tucson Woman of Influence Award, Rae has a profound voice with her church, family and the global community.

Tani Parker
Lead Pastor
Destiny (Rapid City 2 Foursquare Church)
Rapid City, S.D.

“Lost people in this dark hour could not care less about our gender. They’re just looking for the light. Don’t shrink back. Shine!” This tremendous charge comes from Lead Pastor Tani Parker, 55. Tani has been turning passion into action, facilitating ministries that are bringing hope to the region. Destiny is currently in the middle of church planting, with the specific purpose of ministering to Native Americans in Eagle Butte, S.D. Passionate about restoration and freedom in Christ, Tani leads by working in the trenches, united with others in the pursuit of wholeness only God can provide.

Angie Richey
Director of College Relations
Life Pacific College (also known as LIFE Bible College)
San Dimas, Calif.

Angie Richey, 38, is the director of college relations and an adjunct faculty member at Life Pacific College (also known as LIFE Bible College). Angie is energized by partnering with others and has a mind for strategic team building. She says that she is “passionate about people finding breakthrough in their lives.” Angie is known for her integral role in kick-starting LPC’s master’s program, a longtime dream of the school’s leadership. Also a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFTI), assistant director of Emmaus Road Christian Counseling and co-pastor of The Gathering (Santa Clarita South Foursquare Simple Church), Angie is dedicated to equipping solid Christian leaders.

Jessica Schulze
Co-Pastor
New Life Family Center (Marysville Foursquare Church)
Marysville, Ohio

Jessica Schulze, 32, is a dynamic leader who has worked hard to lead her community well. In addition to pastoring her Marysville church, Jessica currently serves as chief executive and director for The Hope Center, a ministry of the Marysville Area Ministerial Association. This young leader serves as divisional superintendent for the Southwest Ohio Division and is most proud of her role as mom. “I would love to encourage women in our Foursquare family to embrace the freedom that Scripture, our heritage, our current leadership and our Lord Jesus have so generously bestowed on us,” she says.

is a freelance writer living in Long Beach, Calif.
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