About Us

The Foursquare Church was birthed under vibrant and youthful leadership. Our founder Aimee Semple McPherson at the age of 19 was a missionary to China, at 23 was driving a car across the nation as an evangelist conducting massive revival campaigns, at 28 established a base of ministry in Los Angeles and at 33 opened the doors and dedicated Angelus Temple, the first Foursquare Church.  Youth ministry and the development of future leaders for the kingdom of God were always at the forefront of her ministry.

Today, almost 90 years later, statistics show that less than 6% of local church lead pastors are under the age of 35.  However, as we have observed in most recent months, there is no void in the availability and passion of prospective church leaders.  More young people are taking a stand and making a commitment to serve in full time ministry functions than ever before.   In 2008 at the NextGen Summit in Anaheim, California, of the 3000 participating high school students, 741 stood in response, making the claim to God’s calling upon their life for ministry.

The Ignite Academy is a discipleship, education and ministry training program to prepare, in a collegiate atmosphere, graduated high school students toward their life-mission of serving Christ, knowing His Word and walking in His Spirit.  Ignite offers accredited transferable college courses as an extension campus of LIFE Pacific College, global mission trip experiences, local church service and community outreach involvement, while learning to live, work and grow in a community of future leaders.

Ignite consists of four separate 3.5 month semesters, each offering college courses with a value of three units each. There is the potential to earn up to 64 total units toward the completion of an AA degree in general studies.
In addition to the academic calendar, students serve 15 to 20 hours a week in the local community, in local churches and various outreach ministries.  During the fall semester Ignite students will travel two different times for 7 days on urban mission teams on the east Coast.  Following the spring semester students will travel to one of three designated global mission stations for 20+ days of outreach and mission service.  Students gain ministry formation experience through outreach, local church involvement, and the mission trips. Community is built by living, working, and growing together as a team. Students receive practical, hands-on leadership development and guided mentoring throughout each semester.