05/27/2026
What does $20 and the Foursquare Gospel in Missouri have in common? Allow me to tell you a story…
In 1932, two young women, recent graduates of Foursquare’s Life Bible College in Los Angeles, California, had a dream to pioneer the Foursquare Gospel in the “Show-Me” State. They were looking for a challenge and wanted to take the Foursquare Gospel to a place where it had never been heard before.
They received permission and blessing from Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of The Foursquare Church, and now, all they needed was to get there. They figured up that it would take $20 to get from Los Angeles, California to Boonville, Missouri.
A journal entry from Rev. Grebe and Rev. Taylor reads:
“Feeling God was calling us and Missouri needed us. With faith that was might, money that was none, and an old 1926 Chevy, determination more than common sense, we set out to win our goal.” They were denied the $20 at first, but was then gifted $20 from a local radio evangelist who told them: “this is God’s money, take it to Missouri and spread the word of God.”
Their message of God’s love, hope, and eternal life brought joy to empty hearts and their words swept the rolling hills of Boonville and Cooper County. Their tent services became so full that they had to buy a bigger tent which made it appear like a circus was in town. Their dream had come true, the Boonville Foursquare Church became a reality and the movement we call Foursquare took hold, birthing more and more Foursquare Churches all over Missouri. Over 90 years later, their dream is still a reality and it only took $20.
And this movement, that we call Foursquare, is just getting started, for Boonville and beyond.
-Pastor Jordan
