The Founding Beliefs Of Las Vegas Foursquare Churches

By Peter Hughes


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.

Known as "Sister Aimee, " the preacher defined the term Foursquare as related to a vision experienced by Ezekiel, for whom the Bible book by the same name is titled. For, it is reported that when Ezekiel saw God, it was a four part image being a lion, an ox, a man and an eagle. As such, the church is a Full Gospel church believing literally in the Old and New 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.

Forty six years later, the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America replaced earlier denominations and welcomed African-American churches and organizations into the fold. Most importantly, the Church of God in Christ, which was the first African-American church of its kind in the United States. After which, a number of congregations in the United States became desegregated and united as one family of faith regardless of color, economic status or religious background.

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 the work of Aimee Semple McPherson and others whom have been in charge over time, Las Vegas residents now have a number of Foursquare Gospel churches which believers can join and attend on a regular basis. In addition, there is an annual International Gathering Of Believers at which many members come together for Bible study, celebration, praise, worship and understanding in various locations around the world.




About the Author:



No comments :

Post a Comment