Alumni Gatherings in Atlanta

 

What could possibly beat a traditional Southern dinner with family and friends?  That’s what we enjoyed as alumni from our historic Foursquare Bible colleges gathered in Atlanta for fried chicken and peach cobbler.  Each room was filled with laughter, non-stop chatter, and shared memories.

 

This year’s Foursquare Connection included an evening set aside for delegates to gather in small groups and really connect.  From formal “Conversations” based on affinity groups, to dinners and desserts focused on allowing individuals with shared backgrounds and ministry pursuits to really engage, relationships were built and renewed.

 

With alumni gathering in groups based on the college campus where they went to school, shared memories abounded.  From Jim Hayford’s account of his car catching fire the one time he chose to cut chapel, to the Mount Vernon group recounting the fact that their campus once housed an insane asylum and poor house, each room distinctly reflected the college experience of those graduates. 

 

Former Life Pacific College President Dick Scott and his wife Dawn were a part of the gathering of graduates from the San Dimas campus, while Former President of Life Bible College East, Jim Walz hosted the Mt. Vernon/Life East reunion.  Current Life Pacific President Robert Flores and his wife, DeeDee were able to make the rounds of all three parties and Dr. and Mrs. Harold Helms joined the party hop in order to visit with friends from their days at L.I.F.E. in Los Angeles and Mount Vernon Bible College.  According to Laurie Walz, “Dr. Helms came into the room and started telling story after story about some of the older alumni that were students when he was on campus.  He remembered them as if it had just happened last week!” 

 

According to Paul Godin of Lifehouse, San Antonio, TX, “The Life Pacific Alumni Reunion in Atlanta was great.  I left the restaurant engorged on deep fried Southern vittles and new and renewed relationships!  Praise the Lord, the South has risen again!” 

 

Jonathan Burgess, Lead Pastor of New Hope Seattle said, “For Cyndi and I to be able to reconnect with our Alma Mater in such an informal but special setting was one of the highlights of our time at Foursquare Connection in Atlanta.  Ministry can be so time consuming that it becomes difficult to maintain relationships that aren't in our immediate section of the harvest field.  To have the chance to revisit our roots and at the same time hear how God is currently using graduates of LIFE was both confirming and encouraging.  I can't wait to see where we are going to eat next year in Ohio!”

 

Regardless of age or the campus they attended, everyone present had one thing in common―they were happy to be re-connected and proud of their heritage.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Next year’s Foursquare Connection is scheduled to be held in Columbus, OH.  We are looking forward to hosting a large contingency of Mt. Vernon and Life East alumni for this event.  If you are interested in helping with the planning of this event, please contact the Office of Advancement at (909) 706-3013 or alumni@lifepacific.edu.