Foursquare Elects New President in ‘Holy Process’
Longtime pastor and spiritual leader Randy Remington was elected Tuesday, May 28, as the next president of The Foursquare Church. The election took place at Foursquare Connection 2019, currently being held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort + Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Corporate Secretary Adam Davidson announced that 3,446 licensed ministers and registered delegates voted by written ballot at the annual convention this afternoon, as well as by absentee ballot, as outlined by the Foursquare bylaws. All ballots were tallied by an independent accounting firm. Adam noted that Foursquare “didn’t have a political process, we had a holy process.”
Immediately following the announcement, presidential candidate Tammy Dunahoo said to Randy: “We love you; we believe in you; we welcome you as our president.”
With emotion, Randy greeted the convention body, noting Tammy is a “woman of honor” who has “blazed trails.” The crowd then gave Tammy an extended standing ovation.
After asking his Foursquare family for prayer during the coming year of transition, Randy added: “It’s humbling to be in this place; thank you for the privilege.”
President Glenn Burris Jr. prayed over Randy, anointing him with oil. “We know the days ahead are filled with challenge and opportunity. We ask You to protect [Randy and Sandy], draw them close to You, and prepare them for these days.”
Lead pastor of Beaverton Foursquare Church in Beaverton, Oregon, since 2003, Randy describes himself as optimistic about the body of Christ and The Foursquare Church because he loves its founder—Jesus.
He also loves prayer. During the recent series of presidential forums, Randy pledged, if elected, to lead, model and champion a culture of prayer. Although the church was birthed in a prayer meeting, he said it is also sustained through prayer. Randy cited the basement room under legendary pastor Charles Spurgeon’s pulpit; there, young people prepared for ministry by participating in prayers of support for Spurgeon.
“He didn’t want to preach without the power of God at work,” Randy said. “Doesn’t God respond to the prayers of His people? As a movement, we cannot strategize or fund our way to a move of God. It’s a praying people [that brings] a move of God.”
In addition to prayer, Randy plans to work ceaselessly to unite the Foursquare family, saying the president must lead relationally to see that everyone feels networked, empowered and included in this movement. He also plans to be “radically committed” to the Great Commission. Because the lost and the least matter to Jesus, we must be concerned about them as well, Randy asserts.
“The president has to be the CMO: the Chief Missional Officer,” he commented earlier this year. “That’s the basis of our commitment. If we lose sight of that, we will just be committed to keeping this thing going. I want Christ’s presence and fullness with us.”
A one-time manual laborer, ranch hand and delivery driver, after his call to ministry, Randy served as a youth pastor in Wyoming for three years and also as a short-term missionary to Jamaica. His relationship with Foursquare began more than three decades ago when he was invited to speak at a district youth camp. While attending a Foursquare church the following weekend, he recalls, the Holy Spirit said: “You’re home. This is the family where I’m placing you.”
“I’m not just a pastor; I’m a Foursquare pastor,” Randy says. “That means something to me. It means I’m part of a family with a distinct story that is still being written. I love our message; we are a Jesus church. We believe the Spirit and His dynamism are working.”
After the moving experience that marked his entry into Foursquare, Randy became youth pastor of New Hope Foursquare Church in Salem, Oregon. He held that position for three years before becoming senior pastor of Stanwood Foursquare Church in Stanwood, Washington, in 1991. Randy spent three years in Stanwood before becoming senior pastor of New Life Center (now New Life Church, Everett Foursquare Church) in Everett, Washington. After nine years there, he became senior pastor of Beaverton Foursquare.
In addition to his pastoral service, Randy has been an active participant in Foursquare life. Prior to his election, he had served on the presidential task force, missions committee, district advisory council of the North Pacific District and Foursquare cabinet. Randy has been the Puget Sound/Alaska District supervisor, a divisional superintendent and a member of many other boards and committees.
Randy and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 30 years and have three adult sons: Joseph, Sam and Thomas.
The president-elect will spend up to a year shadowing current President Glenn Burris Jr. before assuming the duties of the presidency on Sept. 1, 2020. Randy Remington’s inauguration will take place during Foursquare Connection 2020 in Denver, to take place May 25-28. Make plans to join us for this historic moment.
This article originally appeared on Foursquare.org. Reprinted with permission.