PRESENT LEADERSHIP
Indian Mission:There are more than 180,000 Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, South India. This mission began in June 2008 among the refugees when the Foursquare Church sent Rev.Segar & his wife as missionaries to this displaced Sri Lankans. . Currently Rev.Segar had started 11 meeting places in 6 districts out of 30 districts in Tamil Nadu state, with 250 people accepting the Lord, & training 7 for the ministry.
Richard and Betty Kiser came to Sri Lanka from a Foursquare
Church in Indiana, USA, during the mid 1970’s. Their original plan was
to live in India and oversee their bookshop in Orissa. However, as they
were refused visas to live in India they decided to live in Sri Lanka
by securing a guest residence visa. They made friends fairly quickly
with Christians and churches as they moved around from church to
church. During this time, they met Leslie Keegel a young man who was
pioneering a church in Kelaniya and training to be an accountant. The
Kisers developed a closer relationship with this young man, who was to
have a great impact on the Foursquare Church in Sri Lanka. Several
weeks later, while having dinner with the Kisers at their home, Leslie
was drawn 
to
this couple’s bookshelf. As he scanned through the titles one book
particularly caught his attention because of its odd title,This is That.
The woman on the cover – Aimee Semple McPherson – and the talk about a
Foursquare Church intrigued the young pastor so he borrowed the book.
After reading it from cover to cover five times Leslie said to himself,
“One day I must become a part of the Foursquare Church.”
After associating with the Kisers for 4 years 1974 – 1978, Leslie went to Bangalore for training in an Assembly of God Bible College. Just as Leslie was leaving for Bible College Richard Kiser told him that if Leslie would decide to join a Foursquare Bible College someday, he would most gladly recommend him to a Bible College in the Philippines.
In
September of 1978, God through a vision spoke to Leslie, that He is
calling him to be trained in a Foursquare Bible College, and he
eventually would establish Foursquare Churches in Sri Lanka. He
therefore immediately contacted Richard Kiser and requested him to send
him the address of a Foursquare Bible College in the Philippines. Upon receipt
of this address Leslie wrote to Rev. Philip Starr who was the General
Supervisor of the Foursquare churches in the Philippines. On the
recommendation of the Kisers, Foursquare Missions International
accepted Leslie as a pastor in training and sent him to the Philippines
in May 1979. In the meantime the Kisers were asked to serve as
Foursquare Missionaries in Sri Lanka. The Kisers returned to the United
States to be ordained at the International Convention in April 1979.
Then, after a brief exposure to the successful work in the Philippines,
the Kisers returned to Sri Lanka in October 1979 and the Foursquare
Ministry was officially started. For the next three and a half years
the Kisers led the work establishing three churches and gathering
together nineteen workers.
The
story of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Sri Lanka begins with the life
of a woman born in Ontario, Canada in 1890 and the founding of the In
ternational Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Aimee Semple McPherson was a
woman anointed by God with a powerful ministry of healing and
evangelism. Thousands would attend her crusade meetings at a time in
history when women preachers were frowned upon. While preaching in 1922
Aimee came up with the term, "Foursquare Gospel" to describe the Gospel
of Jesus the Saviour, Healer, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and Soon
Coming King.
Matale: The work started at Wattagoda Estate in 1984 by Bro. Rajamony and was later passed on to Chandranathan, who also served as Supervisor. There are 2 workers and 6 ministries now.
Source: The Official Website of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Sri Lanka
President:
|
Rev. Dr. Leslie W. Keegel |
Vice President / General Supervisor:
|
Rev.S.George Niranjan |
Provincial Supervisors
|
|
Western:
|
Rev.D.Kumarawansa |
North Western & North Central:
|
Rev.Sumith Pinto |
Uva:
|
Rev.M.Rajalingam |
Central:
|
Rev.D.G.W.Jayalath |
Southern:
|
Rev.Harim Peiris |
Sabaragamuwa:
|
Rev.G.Jesurasa |
MISSIONARIES
1. Surekha & Chrishani Hulugalla - London ,United KIngdom
2. Theo & Manju Nayagam - New Zealand
2. Theo & Manju Nayagam - New Zealand
3. Robin & Rebecca John - New Zealand
4. Lanil & Ingrid Gunasekara - Sydney Australia
5. Asanka & Shermi Hewawasam - Melbourn ,Australia
6. Segar & Premila Nathen - Madras, India
Indian Mission:There are more than 180,000 Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, South India. This mission began in June 2008 among the refugees when the Foursquare Church sent Rev.Segar & his wife as missionaries to this displaced Sri Lankans. . Currently Rev.Segar had started 11 meeting places in 6 districts out of 30 districts in Tamil Nadu state, with 250 people accepting the Lord, & training 7 for the ministry.
| Erode District | Bawani Sagar, Arachaloor |
| Madurai District | Manamadurai |
| Madras District | Pandicheri, Valasarawakkam |
| Thirunellveli District | Kalliyakavalli, Maruthandam, Nagar Kovil, Thirunellveli |
| Kanniyakumari District | Kanniyakumari |
| Vellore District | Amboor |
| Coiyambatroe District | Thirumoorthimala |
STATUS OF THE CHURCH
| No. of churches & Meeting Places | 15021 |
| Memebrship | 17200 |
| No. of Workers | 452 |
| Bible Institute | 1 |
| Extention Institiutes | 40 |
| No of Missionaries Sent | 6 (Australia 3, New Zealand 1 ,England 1, India 1) |
| Projects:- Orphananges - 4 ( Wattala, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Vavuniya) Transit Home for widows - 1 ( Valaichenai) School for Children with special Needs - 1 ( Vavuniya) Elders Home - 1 (Wattala) Foster Parenting - currently supporting 600 Tsunami & war affected Children | |
HISTORY OF THE FOURSQUARE CHURCH, SRI LANKA
Richard and Betty Kiser came to Sri Lanka from a Foursquare
Church in Indiana, USA, during the mid 1970’s. Their original plan was
to live in India and oversee their bookshop in Orissa. However, as they
were refused visas to live in India they decided to live in Sri Lanka
by securing a guest residence visa. They made friends fairly quickly
with Christians and churches as they moved around from church to
church. During this time, they met Leslie Keegel a young man who was
pioneering a church in Kelaniya and training to be an accountant. The
Kisers developed a closer relationship with this young man, who was to
have a great impact on the Foursquare Church in Sri Lanka. Several
weeks later, while having dinner with the Kisers at their home, Leslie
was drawn to
this couple’s bookshelf. As he scanned through the titles one book
particularly caught his attention because of its odd title,This is That.
The woman on the cover – Aimee Semple McPherson – and the talk about a
Foursquare Church intrigued the young pastor so he borrowed the book.
After reading it from cover to cover five times Leslie said to himself,
“One day I must become a part of the Foursquare Church.”After associating with the Kisers for 4 years 1974 – 1978, Leslie went to Bangalore for training in an Assembly of God Bible College. Just as Leslie was leaving for Bible College Richard Kiser told him that if Leslie would decide to join a Foursquare Bible College someday, he would most gladly recommend him to a Bible College in the Philippines.
In
September of 1978, God through a vision spoke to Leslie, that He is
calling him to be trained in a Foursquare Bible College, and he
eventually would establish Foursquare Churches in Sri Lanka. He
therefore immediately contacted Richard Kiser and requested him to send
him the address of a Foursquare Bible College in the Philippines. Upon receipt
of this address Leslie wrote to Rev. Philip Starr who was the General
Supervisor of the Foursquare churches in the Philippines. On the
recommendation of the Kisers, Foursquare Missions International
accepted Leslie as a pastor in training and sent him to the Philippines
in May 1979. In the meantime the Kisers were asked to serve as
Foursquare Missionaries in Sri Lanka. The Kisers returned to the United
States to be ordained at the International Convention in April 1979.
Then, after a brief exposure to the successful work in the Philippines,
the Kisers returned to Sri Lanka in October 1979 and the Foursquare
Ministry was officially started. For the next three and a half years
the Kisers led the work establishing three churches and gathering
together nineteen workers.
In 1981 Leslie Keegel returned to Sri
Lanka from the Philippines with a Bachelor's Degree from the Foursquare
Bible College and a new bride, Belen. Although better oppor
tunities were offered, the Keegels began to pioneer in the slums of Colombo.
tunities were offered, the Keegels began to pioneer in the slums of Colombo.
For one week Leslie
made prayer walks through this area teaming with Prostitutes, drug
addicts and Pickpockets. During the second week he took some Gospel
tracts and looked for people to give them to - people who wouldn't get
angry at him for giving a tract.
At one point a man
approached him and said, "Pastor, do you remember me?" Leslie replied
that he didn't and so the man explained, "Remember that I came to your
house five years ago with my Auntie? I was totally deaf and dumb but you
prayed for me and when I went home I was instantly healed. " The man
had never returned to Leslie because at the time of the healing he had
no interest in becoming a Christian. Now, after hearing that Leslie was
planting a church, the man eagerly asked, "Can I be your first member?"
After this the two met together daily under a lamppost where Pas tor
Leslie read the Bible to this illiterate man and they discussed the ways
of the Lord. Instead of leaving for a job in the Middle East the man
chose to stay, ex plaining. "It is more important for me to stay and
learn the Bible and start the church with you."
God's hand was on the ministry and many miracles took
place. On one occasion Leslie's friend woke him as the pastor slept on a
Saturday morning. "Can you come to pray for a child who is dying?"
After walking and riding the buses to where the child was, the two came
to a house full of people. Not know ing what was happening, Pastor
Leslie walked over to the child, picked it up and began to pray for it.
The child then sneezed and started crying. Leslie was up set that he had
made the child cry and started to apolo gize to the parents. The
wide-eyed parents exclaimed, "What are you talking about? The Child was
dead!”
When the Kisers returned
to the U.S.A. in March 1981. Leslie Keegel was appointed as the Na
tional President of the fledgling Foursquare Gospel Church in Sri Lanka.
 |
 |
DENOMINATIONAL ROOTS
The
story of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Sri Lanka begins with the life
of a woman born in Ontario, Canada in 1890 and the founding of the In
ternational Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Aimee Semple McPherson was a
woman anointed by God with a powerful ministry of healing and
evangelism. Thousands would attend her crusade meetings at a time in
history when women preachers were frowned upon. While preaching in 1922
Aimee came up with the term, "Foursquare Gospel" to describe the Gospel
of Jesus the Saviour, Healer, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and Soon
Coming King.
As the ministry
flourished, many pressed Aimee to start a denomination but she resisted
this because her heart and passion were set on evange lism. However, in
1923 a huge dome-shaped church called Angelus Temple was built in Los
Angeles for Aimee's meetings. LIFE Bible College was founded and those
who had been trained began planting churches in southern California and
up the coast of the United States. These churches wanted to unite
together as a community of believers and so the In ternational Church of
the Foursquare Gospel was established. Today this church family reaches into ……… Nations worldwide and has over ….. million members and adherents.
ESTABLISHING HEADQUARTERS
Even though many people came to the Lord and were baptized during the Keegel's church planted in the
Colombo slums, few remained in the church. As a result the average
congregation was only about eight people and the pastors monthly salary
from the church was only forty-five rupees. Although sometimes de
pressed and tempted to return to secular employment, Leslie remained
faithful to his calling. As his house lease was about to expire, the
pastor prayed and be gan to sense that God was calling him to a ministry
in Nugegoda. Shortly afterwards an old classmate
invited him to come to his home and begin a Bible Study - in Nugegoda.
Knowing that Leslie was becoming des perate for a place to move, the
friend told of a house and piece of property that was available for
lease. So, on September I, 1985 they went to see the property in
Nugegoda. Immediately Pastor Leslie liked the prop erty and felt that
this was the place to be; the owner said, "Why don't you give us three
hundred thousand rupees and we can have a long lease?" But Pastor Leslie
replied that he wasn’t interested in leasing, he wanted to buy it ! The
landlord offered a price of 2.5 million and Leslie countered with 1.2
million. No agreement was made but three days later the owner called for
another meeting. This time the two agreed to a price of 1.7 million
rupees and entered into a sale agree ment, which was to he paid by
September 30.
Once at home Pastor Leslie realized what he had done -- that he had only
one thousand rupees in his account -- and he began to think that he was
an absolute fool. Under pressure from the deadline at the end of the
month he began to fast and pray, "God, you have told me not to ask for
money but to rely on you. I feel that you want this for us and so I'm
trusting you to provide for us." Four days later Pastor Leslie was
exhausted after a late night deliverance session and feeling terribly
hungry from his fast, so he had some dinner and went to bed. The next
morning during break fast a knock came at the door and the pastor became
annoyed. "'These people, even on my day off they don't want to let me
be." He told Latha - the woman staying with them - to answer the door
and to send the person away. But when Latha answered the door a tall for
eigner stood there. She shut the door and hurried back to pastor
Leslie, "Pastor, Pastor, a very tall white man has come. He says he
knows you and wants to talk with you." When Leslie came to the door he
was shocked to see Paul Kisser, a Foursquare Pastor who is now the President of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
INCORPORATION
Many had suggested that the
Foursquare work in Sri Lanka should go on for at least ten years before
trying to be incorporated as a denomination in Sri Lanka. However, the
National President, Leslie Keegel, had strong conviction that the church
should be incorporated as soon as possible. This was considered
impossible by some who had declared that without a great deal of money
and influence that incorporation would never happen. The first lawyer
who looked at the papers saw the name of the church and laughed,
"Foursquare! You are making a monkey out of the Gospel. This will never
work here. Parliament will have a good laugh and throw the application
away."
In spite of this
opposition Leslie pressed on. Gathering copies of incorporation papers
from the other churches he managed to collect enough information to come
up with something that would be both Sri Lankan and Foursquare. He took
his work to a lawyer who looked over the papers and said, "This is
perfect, you have the legal terms and you have all of the information. I
don't have to do anything." Then he charged Leslie, six hundred rupees
and sent him on his way.
Next a government
minister was needed to process the incorporation papers. The first
minister who was approached said that he would have to consult his
bishop before he would do this.
Pastor Leslie countered that he didn't consult the bishop before voting
for this minister. Still the man wouldn't budge and Leslie knew that
the bishop would never approve -- so he walked off. At a Bible study
this matter was brought up by Pastor Leslie as a prayer need. A lady at
the study told him to come with her the next day and she would take him
to a minister. The minister turned out to be a Muslim man, who looked at
the papers and exclaimed, "So, you think we are heathen!" Leslie didn't
know what to say so he began to explain that this term wasn't meant to
put anyone down, that it was just terminology used by the Americans. The
minister laughed and said, "Don't worry Reverend, I was just joking.
Don't call me to remind me about this matter. Give me your number and
I'll call you when it is done. "Within a few months this man had
completed the work and only charged the church three hundred rupees -
and this money went towards the state fee for printing the papers. The
minister said that he didn't want any gifts, any favours or any money.
Pastor Leslie was so happy that God had led him to an honest man. The
Holy Spirit moved in his heart prompted Leslie to prophesy that the
minister would get a promotion. Although the minister felt that he was
too young to get a promotion, four months later he was made the Deputy
Minister of Finance. As a result of God opening these doors, the
Foursquare Gospel Church in Sri Lanka was incorporated in 1986.
DISTRICT EXPANSION
Nuwara Eliya: In
1989,the original worker who was to be sent to Nuwara Eliya died before
he was able to go. The need was desperate and so Leslie Keegel
challenged for someone who would volunteer to go, at the Thanksgiving
Service of the worker who died. Brother Jasonraj came forward.
He went and started a ministry and brought Ganeshalingam, later the
ministry grew under Ganeshalingam’s Leadership.
Kalutara: In
1988 a sister from Kalutara who was present at a meeting held at
Torrington opened her house at "Lomand Estate" and the first Foursquare
church in this area was planted. This work was built up by the students
from our Bible School. In 1991 Rev. Kumarawansa was appointed
Supervisor. Now Pastor Anjelo Pinto oversees the area.
Matale: The work started at Wattagoda Estate in 1984 by Bro. Rajamony and was later passed on to Chandranathan, who also served as Supervisor. There are 2 workers and 6 ministries now.
Trincomalee : In
November 1979 Richard Kiser went to this district with the help of
pastor Freeman they planted a church at Anpuvalipuram. Later Rev. D.G.
Somasundram -- who was led to the Lord through the ministry of Bro.
Bertram Carinader -- founded a church at Sampur area. In 1981 this work
continued through Rev. T. I. Inpanathan. In 1983 Rev. Leslie held
crusades and through that ministry the Palathoppur church came into
being. From Palathoppur a family went over to live in Kantalai and we
were able to start the Kantalai church. In Trincomalee churches were
established in Trincomalee Town, Aubuidipruran, Sangamaim and China Bay.
Rev. D.G. Somasundram is now serving as Regional Supervisor of the Eastern Region while
Rev. T. I. Inpanathran has established himself as a full time.worker at
the LIFE Bible Institute. Workers from this Province who graduated from
Bible School are working in various parts of the Island.
Badulla District : In
1983 Rev. G. Jesurasa opened a ministry here. Several who were lame and
a maniac received divine healing. Currently there are 44 meetings
places with 16 workers and 3 volunteers with Rev. Rajalingam serving as
the Regional Supervisor. From this area 5 workers have been sent to other districts.
PHENOMENAL GROWTH
During a church history research in
1989, Ranjith De Silva (former principal of Lanka Bible College) stated
that the Foursquare Gospel Church was the fastest growing church in Sri
Lanka. In fact, in the history of Sri Lanka no church has ever
experienced the rapid rate of growth that this church has. Within
twenty-five years it has grown to include: 205 pastors and workers; 432 meeting places; 8.861 members; and churches within 24 of the 25 districts of the nation.
By the time Leslie
Keegel took over as the National President of the church there were 3
Foursquare Gospel Churches in Sri Lanka. In 1983, in the midst of a
tense political atmosphere and rioting, Foursquare grew from 3 to 10
churches. Each year from 1983 to 1990 the number of churches doubled.
This growth then stabilized for a few years as attention was focused on
expanding the leadership base and solving some internal problems. In
1996, following a time of self-evaluation, fasting and prayer the growth
picked up again.
One of the keys to the
growth of the church has been the strategy of planting house churches.
This strategy enables churches to be planted quickly because they are
not dependent on finding or funding a traditional church building.
The churches are also able to meet in
communities that may be resistant to a church building in their midst.
Another key to growth has been God's grace in confirming the word with
signs following. Each district and many of the churches have been opened
as the result of someone being healed or delivered of a demon. In fact,
sixty percent of the churches planted have been initiated by lay people
who have often witnessed or experienced a miracle themselves. It is
only later that a pastor is called to develop the work.
Because the Foursquare
Gospel Church is only twenty-five years old and has grown so fast, most
of the pastors and workers are quite young. Of the 205 pastors and workers, only about 15 are over
forty years of age. The vast majority are in their twenties and
thirties. Some may think that Foursquare must have taken many workers
from other churches in order to provide leadership for so many new
churches. However, about 97% of the pastors and workers are first
generation Christians who have been saved and trained within the
Foursquare denomination.
Although the majority of Foursquare Gospel churches in Sri Lanka serve
people living in rural areas and tea plantations, ministry to a new
section of society began to develop in 1989. During a flight the
previous year Pastor Leslie Keegel had a dream in which three men came
to talk to him. The men were well-dressed businessmen who asked, "Why
haven't you come to us? Why have you only gone to the poor? We need the
Gospel as well." Then in November 1989 Pastor Jack Hayford came to Sri
Lanka and blessed many at a teaching seminar. One effect of this time
was that the recently established Foursquare work gained credibility by
being associated with such a prominent Foursquare leader. As Pastor Jack
was about to leave Sri Lanka he prophesied over Leslie Keegel saying.
"What does the number twelve mean to you?" Leslie replied that it was
exactly 12 years since he had been called by God into ministry. Pastor
Jack continued, "After twelve years you will pass a milestone in your
ministry and from this point on you will see a continual rise in
fruitfulness and blessing. The Foursquare movement is going to take a
turn and things are going to explode in growth." The next Sunday the
English congregation of eight in Nugegoda grew to forty. This
congregation has now grown to become the Living Way Church -- a church
which ministers to many in the business community. Because of the growth
of this church and the generosity of its members, the bulk of the
Foursquare work in Sri Lanka is now being raised within the nation.
Source: The Official Website of the Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Sri Lanka
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