Mount Vernon Foursquare Fellowship is founded on the principles of The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. The following Mission statement information was taken from their website, www.foursquare.org:
The Foursquare Church exists to glorify God and advance His kingdom. Jesus Christ's command is to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19). Therefore, we are "Dedicated unto the cause of inter-denominational and worldwide evangelism."* These words express our spirit and our focus.
"Foursquare" is a Biblical term used of the tabernacle in the Book of Exodus, of the Temple of the Lord in Ezekiel 40:47, and of Heaven, as described in the book of the Revelation. The term "Foursquare Gospel" was given in the inspiration of revival to the denomination's founder, Aimee Semple McPherson, during an evangelistic campaign in Oakland, Calif., in 1922. It represents that which is equally balanced on all sides, established and enduring. Such confidence in the power of the Gospel is also expressed by the verse, Hebrews 13:8, displayed in Foursquare churches proclaiming, "Jesus Christ the Same, Yesterday and Today and Forever."
The name represents the four-fold ministries of Jesus:
The Savior
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him..." -Isaiah 53:5 (Titus 2:14, Is. 55:7, Heb. 7:25, Is. 1:18)
The Baptizer with the Holy Spirit
"For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." -Acts 1:5,8 (Jn. 14:16-17, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:17, Acts 10:44-46, 1 Cor. 3:16)
The Healer
"He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses..." -Matthew 8:17 (Mk. 16:17-18, Mt. 9:5-6, Acts 4:29-30)
The Soon-Coming King
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout... the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." -1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (Titus 2:12-13, Mt. 24:36-44, Heb. 9:28, Lk. 19:13, Lk. 12:35-37.)
The strategy of The Foursquare Church is to follow the pattern of church development found in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit led the EarlyChurch in this development. The pattern has four stages. It helps us understand where we are in the growth process and where we need to go. Each stage is different but connects closely with the others.
- Stage 1: Pioneer
The church starts when workers bring the lost to Christ and plant local congregations. The goal is responsible disciples who evangelize and reproduce themselves. The church at Thessalonica in Greece started this way (Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10).
- Stage 2: Establish
The church grows stronger when workers give practical Christian teaching and train leaders. The goal is responsible, reproducing leaders who serve their families and the local church. The church on the island of Crete matured this way (Titus 1-3).
- Stage 3: Empower
The national church organizes to govern and support itself and to do its own evangelism in a way that is sensitive to local cultures. The goal is responsible local congregations that plant other churches. Together they become a national church movement to reach the entire country. The church at Ephesus in Turkey developed and multiplied this way (Acts 19-20).
- Stage 4: Send
The national church reaches out to people of other cultures and languages. The goal is responsible national churches that send and support workers who serve other cultures and countries. In obedience to the Holy Spirit, the church at Antioch in Syria became such a church when they sent Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-4).
Summary
Each national church preaches the gospel within a growing sphere of influence as it moves through the four stages. It looks forward to the day when "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). The spirit of The Foursquare Church is loving unity. It seeks to provide affirming and freeing relationships while following New Testament order. In so doing, we carry out the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. We glorify God and advance His kingdom.
