History Of Foursquare New Zealand
In 2001, Manju and Theo Nayagam moved to New Zealand and started attending Elim Church in Botany. At that time, Pastor Luke Brough encouraged the congregation to form life groups. Theo and Manju eagerly took up this opportunity. They launched a life group, which grew and included several families. Pastor Steve and Andy were among those who joined.
As the group grew, they approached Pastor Luke to share their desire to start a Foursquare church in New Zealand. Pastor Luke suggested they consider becoming an Elim Foursquare church, as had happened in the UK years earlier. After much prayer, Theo and Manju felt called to move forward with the vision independently. With Pastor Luke’s blessing, they began establishing Foursquare NZ.
In April 2003, two families—Steve and Andy, and Theo and Manju—officially founded the denomination. The first church, All Nations Foursquare Church, began meeting at the Bucklands Beach Intermediate School Hall with just a few families.
The second church was established in New Plymouth when Pastor Theo was working there for the government. He connected with Pastor Mano, and the life group in New Plymouth became the foundation of our second church, All Nations New Plymouth.
Since then, Foursquare New Zealand has grown steadily, welcoming new churches and starting church plants across the country. Today, it remains dedicated to sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all nations.
In April 2003, two families—Steve and Andy, and Theo and Manju—officially founded the denomination. The first church, All Nations Foursquare Church, began meeting at the Bucklands Beach Intermediate School Hall with just a few families.
The second church was established in New Plymouth when Pastor Theo was working there for the government. He connected with Pastor Mano, and the life group in New Plymouth became the foundation of our second church, All Nations New Plymouth.
Since then, Foursquare New Zealand has grown steadily, welcoming new churches and starting church plants across the country. Today, it remains dedicated to sharing the message of Jesus Christ with all nations.
Aimee Semple McPherson
Born October 9, 1890
The story of the Foursquare Church began with the life of a woman evangelist born in Ingersoll, Ontario in 1890. After losing her husband to Malaria while serving as a missionary in Hong Kong, Aimee Semple McPherson returned to North America where God stirred her heart with a mighty passion for evangelism. In response Aimee spent years working her way through America preaching in tent meetings, churches and wherever she could find or create an opening for the Gospel. She was undeterred by the opposition she faced as a woman preacher, the hardships of the road or the challenges of finding financial support for her work.
Eventually thousands came to hear Aimee’s gifted preaching and many saw or experienced the signs that accompanied her ministry.
One biographer wrote:
"It would be convenient if we could find some evidence that Sister Aimee's miraculous healings were faked for the benefit of publicity; but there is no such evidence. Alas, the documentation is overwhelming: very sick people came to Sister Aimee by the tens of thousands, blind, deaf, paralyzed. Many were healed, some temporarily, some forever. "(Epstein, 111)Through it all Aimee’s focus was on her love for Jesus and on her dedication to the work that he had called her to. The Foursquare message that she preached was very Christocentric: Jesus our Saviour, Jesus our Healer, Jesus our Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and Jesus our soon-coming King. The theme verse she chose for the movement also centered on our Lord:
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
People reported that Aimee’s preaching made Jesus very real to them and they could sense His presence as she spoke.
In 1923 Aimee dedicated the opening of Angeles Temple, her 5,000 seat center of ministry in Los Angeles.
Here Aimee preached illustrated sermons accompanied by full stage sets and casts of actors. She created such a stir that even Hollywood actors came out to hear her.
Aimee’s cutting edge approach to ministry also led her to open a radio station, start a Bible College and open a commissary to care for the poor.
During the depression years, Angeles Temple was known as the place where anyone could get a meal, no questions asked.
Although a truly remarkable woman in her own right, Aimee’s Semple McPherson’s greatest impact came through the lives of those she inspired and those who were trained through the Foursquare Church she founded.
Since Aimee’s day the Foursquare church has spread through these men and women into more than 150 nations. Some of the Foursquare national church movements are among the fastest growing church movements in the world today.
Aimee’s cutting edge approach to ministry also led her to open a radio station, start a Bible College and open a commissary to care for the poor.
During the depression years, Angeles Temple was known as the place where anyone could get a meal, no questions asked.
Although a truly remarkable woman in her own right, Aimee’s Semple McPherson’s greatest impact came through the lives of those she inspired and those who were trained through the Foursquare Church she founded.
Since Aimee’s day the Foursquare church has spread through these men and women into more than 150 nations. Some of the Foursquare national church movements are among the fastest growing church movements in the world today.
