Life Pacific University is proud to be the flagship college of the Foursquare denomination, and with that honor, comes the opportunity to serve, represent, and lead in various capacities during the annual Foursquare Connection. This year in National Harbor, Maryland, alumni, staff and faculty, and more took to the Connection main stage, the workshop space, and more to help empower pastors and leaders through community and Christ-Centered, Spirit-Filled education.
Four alumni took to the Connection Main Stage as keynote speakers for the week:
- Rev. Mark Chester (’00)
- Dr. Doretha O’Quinn (’73)
- Rev. Benji Horning (’00)
- LPU Campus Pastor Dan Fernandez (’16)
Three members of our world class LPU staff and faculty led workshops:
- Dr. Ken Bringas, Director of the Life Pacific Seminary: Pentecostal Identity Workshop
- Rev. Jennifer Thigpenn, MDiv, Adjunct Faculty: Women, Singleness, and Identity in the Church Workshop
- Dawn Houk, MA, LMFT, LPC, Chair of Psychology and Counseling: LGBTQIA+ and the Church Workshop
LPU’s Alumni and Advancement Office hosted an Alumni and Friends Gathering, welcoming over 150 alumni for community and celebration as we honored 2 of the 4 Alumni of the Year recipients:
- Dr. Sterling Brackett: Lifetime of Service Award
- Rev . Shannon Hladek: Beyond Borders Award
Foursquare Scholars Fellowship welcomed almost 100 attendees to their scholars and pastors gathering. FSF partners with LPU, with many alumni, staff and faculty, and executive leadership serving on their Executive Committee. This year’s topic was Discipleship and an esteemed panel of scholars and leaders shared their insights into this discussion, including LPU alumni and leaders:
- President Angie Richey, PhD
- Rev. Jennifer Lord, MA (’96 + ’21)
- Dr. Hugo Aldana, Director of Hispanic Initiatives
Life Pacific University Virginia students had the honor of using their God-given talents in leading worship for the NextGen portion of Connection, bringing over 100 kids into the presence of God through worship. Dr. Tim Lee, the Chair of Ministry and Theology, also had the opportunity to speak on the first full-day of Connection to the NextGen students.
The Hispanic Initiatives Team had the opportunity to serve and share during the Conexion Hispana portion of Connection, sharing the mission of LPU as a Hispanic Serving Institution and presenting the power of Christian Higher Education to the Hispanic Community. President Angie Richey, Rev. Debbie Bravo, Dr. Hugo Aldana, and Provost Dr. Daniel Ruarte represented LPU and cast vision for the continued equipping of the Hispanic community at Life Pacific University.
While attending Connection, LPU signed three new MOU partnership agreements with Foursquare churches across the country. We are thrilled to be offering access to our high-quality online education on-site with our partnership churches:
- Gettysburg Foursquare Church in Pennsylvania
- Kingsway Foursquare Church in Washington
- Life Bridge Foursquare Church in Indiana
With hundreds of visitors at the LPU booth in the Convention Hall, it was a joy to make connections with so many friends, alumni, leaders, and more at Foursquare Connection!
