Founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel is an evangelical Pentecostal denomination, often known as the Foursquare Church.
Raised in the Salvation Army church, of which her mother was a member, Aimee was converted and baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of seventeen. She married an evangelist, Robert Semple, but he died of malaria and dysentery soon after they went to China as missionaries in 1910.
She later married Harold S. McPherson, and they began holding Pentecostal meetings in their home. In 1915, she left her husband to go preach full-time. He joined her for a time but, wanting a more stable life, he filed for divorce in 1918.
She married David Hutton, an actor, and singer, but divorced him in 1934.
Throughout, she continued her ministry. Charismatic and diligent in praying for the sick, her meetings attracted thousands. She built Angelus Temple in Los Angeles, able to accommodate more than five thousand people, dedicating it in 1923. She also founded the Echo Park Evangelistic Association, the Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism Bible College, and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
McPherson served as president of the Foursquare Church during her lifetime and, upon her death, her son, Rolf Kennedy McPherson, was president until 1988.
The Foursquare Church experienced a downturn during the presidency of Paul C. Risser, from 1998 to 2004. Under his tenure, the church sold its radio station to the Spanish Broadcasting System and became involved in an investment plan that turned out to be a Ponzi scheme. After his resignation, the church has been struggling for survival despite large financial losses.
The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel has a presbyterian polity. Local churches are subordinate to the larger body, which is represented by a Board of Directors, the Foursquare Cabinet, and the Executive Council, with the highest authority in the denomination being the Annual Foursquare Convention.
There are two categories of Foursquare churches. A charter member church is one that has no legal existence apart from the international church, and whose property is owned by the denomination. Covenant member churches are recently established church plants that have not been upgraded to charter member status. In some cases, covenant member churches are previously non-member churches that chose to affiliate with the denomination but not to transfer property ownership to the international church.
Within the United States, the Foursquare Church is organized into districts, divisions, and individual churches. In the United States, its congregations are concentrated along the West Coast but there are churches throughout the country. There are Foursquare Churches in the three Western provinces of Canada, registered under the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada. The church also has a large presence in Nigeria and is the second largest Christian church in the country. The Foursquare Church is one of the largest Pentecostal bodies in the Philippines, operating several colleges in that country.
There are two colleges affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel: Life Pacific College in San Dimas, California, and Pacific Life Bible College in Surrey, British Columbia.
The "foursquare gospel" is a reference to four central Pentecostal teachings that McPherson popularized, although they predated her. These were salvation, baptism by the Spirit, divine physical healing, and the Second Coming of Christ.
Her broader teachings were put forth in a Declaration of Faith, written by McPherson.
It emphasizes the return of Christ prior to His thousand-year reign on earth, personal holiness, and a Trinitarian view of the Godhead.
The Foursquare Church holds that the Bible is as true, immutable, steadfast, and unchangeable as its author, the Lord Jehovah.
Of course, the church believes in baptism with the Holy Spirit, with evidence of speaking in tongues, and that this experience should be subsequent to conversion. The power of healing is granted in answer to the prayer of a believer.
The Foursquare Church observes baptism and the Lord's Supper as ordinances. Baptism is for believers and conducted through immersion in water. Participation in the Lord's Supper should be preceded by a time of self-examination.
The church holds that salvation is by grace through faith, and not by good works. Believers are justified by faith and born again through repentance and acceptance of Christ as Lord. The church also believes that it is possible for a believer to commit apostasy and fall from grace.
The focus of this category is on the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
Recommended Resources
ARDA: International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
The Association of Religion Data Archives presents membership data, including the number of clergy, churches, and members as far back as 1935. Other available information includes the distribution of members and churches by state, charts showing statistical trends for members, congregations and clergy, by year. Data sources are cited, videos are presented, and comparisons between denominations can be made.
http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1006.asp
Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines
Affiliated with the Foursquare Church, founded by Aimee Semple McPherson, the churches of the Philippines meets in church buildings, sanctuaries, living rooms, garages, and other places. A history of the denomination and the work in the Philippines is set forth, along with a statement of beliefs, its mission, vision, and leadership. A directory of member churches, departments, and ministries is included.
https://www.foursquare.org.ph/
FourSquare Gospel Church - Aimee Semple McPherson
The Public Encyclopedia lays out general and specific information about the Pentecostal revivalist, radio personality, and founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel denomination, Aimee Semple McPherson, who was one of the more famous figures in Christianity during the 1920s and 1930s. Information includes her early life, her ministry, and the role she played in Christian history.
http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/foursqua.htm
Foursquare Missions International
FMI is the international missions arm of the US-based Church of the Foursquare Gospel, functioning through a partnership of other Foursquare national leaders, regional councils, and global networks. Its history, background, a four-stage model of ministry, a statement of beliefs, and leadership structure are posted to the site. The ministry’s needs, mission, and work are outlined, along with volunteer opportunities.
https://www.foursquaremissions.org/
Officially known as the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, the denomination was founded through the ministry of Aimee Semple McPherson, who built the Angelus Temple in 1923. The official website of the denomination includes its history, a profile of the church, its beliefs, four-stage model, bylaws, mission, and leadership structure, along with a directory of member churches, schools, and other ministries.
https://www.foursquare.org/
The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Jamaica
The congregation in Jamaica is affiliated with the Foursquare Church that was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson in the United States. A statement of beliefs is published to the site, along with an overview of its ministries to children, youth, men, women, and families. Its ministry training programs, outreach missions, and a calendar of events are included. Leadership contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.foursquareja.org/
