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.

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.

While the preacher was quite well known for work in the church, the celebrity status which was received extended well beyond the preacher's passing. For example, the drama "The Disappearance of Aimee, " refers to the life, times and controversies of the preacher. One of the most common controversies relate to a month long disappearance which is reflected in the drama.

Once the young preacher passed on, a son, Rolf, became leader and President of the denomination. The son held this position for forty four years before the church became part and parcel to the Pentecostal Fellowship of North America. It was in 1948 when this happened in Des Moines, Iowa. After which, the Foursquare Gospel Church became aligned with a number of other Pentecostal churches.

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 Angelus temple, which was built by McPherson and dedicated in January of 1923, still stands. The building and temple sits opposite Echo Park near Los Angeles, California. Whereas, there have been several interim pastors and presidents since McPhersons death. As such, the church and membership have undergone several changes since that time.

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.




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