Foursquare Connection 2017 kicked off last night in Washington, D.C., back at the U.S. capital for the first time since 2006.
With a nod to the history-rich location, the four-day event opened with prayer, led by First Nations Pastor Ken Pretty-on-Top. The prayer-focused event will also include time for daily morning prayer before the morning sessions begin, and prayer walks through the city using a specially made Prayer Passport.
The opening session was followed by a special prayer and worship concert with Elevation Worship. Junior and senior high students were welcomed to the special concert, while Foursquare pastors, chaplains and national leaders led the group through a time of focused prayer.
The theme for this year’s convention, “Commissioned by Jesus,” focuses on Jesus as our Savior and is the first of four years that will focus on Christ’s four-fold ministry, which also includes His being Baptizer, Healer and King.
In welcoming both the D.C. and Connection Live audience, President Glenn Burris Jr. said that this week God is going to “resurrect something in us, something like the day of Pentecost … as we become recipients and welcome to His ministry in a fresh new way.”
Matthew Barnett, who pastors Angelus Temple, the church started by Foursquare founder Aimee Semple McPherson, brought an encouraging word to pastors about continuing through difficult times of ministry. Matthew recently took on the near-impossible task of running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days in order to raise money for the expanding Los Angeles-based Dream Center.
“When you’re commissioned by God, sometimes He calls you to do what doesn’t make sense to you. Keep the faith,” Matthew said in encouragement to fellow Foursquare leaders.
This week, Foursquare Connection attendees will hear from many speakers under the theme “Commissioned by Jesus.” In addition to Matthew Barnett, main session speakers are:
- Author and D.C.-based Pastor Mark Batterson
- District Supervisor Peter Bonanno
- Co-authors David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
- North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago Professor Soong-Chan Rah
- World Impact CEO Efrem Smith
- Salvation Army Social Justice Director Danielle Strickland
- FMI Director Ted Vail
Worship will be led by Elevation Worship again on Tuesday, followed by Foursquare’s own Kyle and Lisa Cooper on Wednesday and Thursday.
For the first time ever, Conexión Hispana will be a two-day event, taking place in the main ballroom. The first session starts Tuesday at 2 p.m. Also for the first time, both Conexión sessions will be available to watch from home through Connection Live, where thousands more are expected to join in the week’s festivities.
Off-stage events include Training Sessions led by main stage speakers, an international reception where attendees can connect with our global Foursquare family, Multiethnic Connections and, of course, business sessions where numerous important items will be discussed and voted on.
The jam-packed four-day event is due to host more than 3,000 registered attendees, including more than 300 children and students. Those not on-site can watch Foursquare Connection Live online, including tonight’s session, which will air at 5:50 p.m. Live streaming of the main sessions, plus backstage interviews and session highlights, will be available to view on the Connection Live website through Sunday, June 4.
Sessions can also be purchased as digital downloads online, and will be available to view within four weeks after the conclusion of convention.
In addition, registration is open this week only for Foursquare Connection 2018, which will be held in Seattle, Wash. Register now for the lowest rate.
