While it is important to understand the beliefs of a church, it is also important to know the history. When it comes to the Las Vegas Foursquare Churches and related congregations, history begins as early as 1922 when the first church of the kind was founded in Los Angeles, California.
The church is based on evangelical Pentecostal denominations. The original denomination was founded in 1923 by Preacher Aimee Semple McPherson. As recently as the early 2000s, the membership had grown to over 8 million in a number of different countries. In total, there are over 60 thousand churches in one hundred and forty four countries around the world.
Also known by the name "Sister Aimee, " the founder, defined the term of Foursquare as being related to the Bible book of Ezekiel. In the book, God is defined as a four part image. The four images being a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. In this case, the images were derived from a vision Ezekiel received as reported in the Old Testament. While this is the case, as the church is a Full Gospel institution, members believe in the New and Old Testament books of the Bible.
The preacher's legacy goes well beyond death. For, there has even been a Hall of Fame drama created in honor of the legacy which the preacher left behind. In one case, the drama highlights the amazing work the young woman did for the church. Whereas, there were also controversies, one being a month long disappearance of the preacher in 1926.
Once McPherson passed, Rolf K. McPherson, the preacher's son became President and leader of the denomination. A position, the son held for forty-four years. After which, the Pentecostal Fellowship Of North America, was founded in 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Foursquare Gospel Church then became aligned with the Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Holiness and a number of other like-minded congregations in the United States.
Later, then known as the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, the church became involved in desegregation and admitted The Church Of God In Christ, into the fold. As the pastor of the church had been barred from a Baptist church prior to this time, the acceptance was a welcome relief. After which, numerous other churches in the United States followed suit. Ultimately leading to the desegregation of not only the Pentecostal church but many others as well.
The original temple, known as The Angelus Temple, is still standing across from Echo Park near downtown Los Angeles. While weather beaten and torn, it stands as a legacy to the founding of the church by McPherson. As there have been several changes, including a number of interim pastors over the years, different branches of the church often have distinct and unique personalities with regards to congregations, Sunday schools, worship services and other events.
As a result of Aimee's work and other pastors and congregants, Las Vegas now has multiple Foursquare congregations around the city. As part of the larger congregation, most of these churches welcome members of associated churches as well as visitors to attend services whenever an individual is moved to do so. As the church is an associated member of congregations, representatives of the church attend the International Gathering Of Believers, which is a conference held in different locations each year.
The church is based on evangelical Pentecostal denominations. The original denomination was founded in 1923 by Preacher Aimee Semple McPherson. As recently as the early 2000s, the membership had grown to over 8 million in a number of different countries. In total, there are over 60 thousand churches in one hundred and forty four countries around the world.
Also known by the name "Sister Aimee, " the founder, defined the term of Foursquare as being related to the Bible book of Ezekiel. In the book, God is defined as a four part image. The four images being a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. In this case, the images were derived from a vision Ezekiel received as reported in the Old Testament. While this is the case, as the church is a Full Gospel institution, members believe in the New and Old Testament books of the Bible.
The preacher's legacy goes well beyond death. For, there has even been a Hall of Fame drama created in honor of the legacy which the preacher left behind. In one case, the drama highlights the amazing work the young woman did for the church. Whereas, there were also controversies, one being a month long disappearance of the preacher in 1926.
Once McPherson passed, Rolf K. McPherson, the preacher's son became President and leader of the denomination. A position, the son held for forty-four years. After which, the Pentecostal Fellowship Of North America, was founded in 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa. The Foursquare Gospel Church then became aligned with the Assemblies of God, Pentecostal Holiness and a number of other like-minded congregations in the United States.
Later, then known as the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, the church became involved in desegregation and admitted The Church Of God In Christ, into the fold. As the pastor of the church had been barred from a Baptist church prior to this time, the acceptance was a welcome relief. After which, numerous other churches in the United States followed suit. Ultimately leading to the desegregation of not only the Pentecostal church but many others as well.
The original temple, known as The Angelus Temple, is still standing across from Echo Park near downtown Los Angeles. While weather beaten and torn, it stands as a legacy to the founding of the church by McPherson. As there have been several changes, including a number of interim pastors over the years, different branches of the church often have distinct and unique personalities with regards to congregations, Sunday schools, worship services and other events.
As a result of Aimee's work and other pastors and congregants, Las Vegas now has multiple Foursquare congregations around the city. As part of the larger congregation, most of these churches welcome members of associated churches as well as visitors to attend services whenever an individual is moved to do so. As the church is an associated member of congregations, representatives of the church attend the International Gathering Of Believers, which is a conference held in different locations each year.
About the Author:
If you are looking for the facts about Las Vegas Foursquare Churches, come to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.oasischristianchurch.com now.
No comments:
Post a Comment