What Began with 4 Women Praying has Grown to Tens of Thousands—Aglow International celebrates 40 years with Seattle World-Wide Conference
"In September, we will celebrate Aglow's heritage and rededicate ourselves to influencing our world for good."
EDITOR'S NOTE: There's a very special place in my heart for Aglow, it was at a little Aglow meeting in Corvallis, Oregon?back in 1985?that I came to know the Lord. In those early years of walking with Him, I experienced incredible outpourings of God's Spirit in the setting of these women of all ages and from all backgrounds, meeting together in the unity of a heart that's desperate and hungry to be in God's presence, and to let Him move through them. That was Aglow then, as it still is now. ?Aimee Herd, BCN.
(Seattle, Washington)?Aglow International is an organization of Christian women with more than 4,000 local groups in nearly 170 countries. It is one of the largest international women's groups consisting of more than 1,100 local groups in the U.S. alone.
An estimated 21,000 Aglow leaders worldwide minister in their communities and countries to an estimated 17 million people each year. This year, Aglow celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Events for 2007 included an annual trip to Israel, which occurred in May, and an upcoming worldwide conference to be held in Seattle September 20-23.
During Aglow International's 40th anniversary conference in Seattle next week the ministry will announce some interesting news: Aglow International has just launched groups in Madagascar and Iraq, bringing the total number of countries where Aglow operates to 168.
Aglow has a long history of helping advance the rights of women around the world through Judeo-Christian values. Recently, Jane Hansen, president of Aglow, spoke at an international summit in Jerusalem, which aimed at empowering women around the world through the power of the Judeo-Christian tradition.
"For four decades, Aglow has helped develop paths of service and leadership for women around the world," said Hansen, Aglow president and CEO. "In September, we will celebrate Aglow's heritage and rededicate ourselves to influencing our world for good."
Every other year, international Aglow women gather for fellowship, worship and training. This year's event, titled "A Voice, Not an Echo," the international event will attract more than 6,000 Aglow constituents and Christian leaders from more than 100 countries, including many from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East where Aglow has a focused outreach to Muslim women. Keynote Speakers will include: Hansen; Che Ahn, president of Harvest International Ministry; Lou Engle, founder of the Justice House of Prayer (The Call); Robert Stearns, founder of Eagles' Wings (Day of Prayer for Peace in Jerusalem); Barbara Yoder, senior pastor of Shekinah Christian Church and Chuck Pierce, president of Glory of Zion International Ministries.
Although conference speakers will underscore Aglow's three organizational mandates: male and female reconciliation, teaching Christians to understand the belief structure of Islam while loving the Muslim people and supporting the nation of Israel, the theme seeks to highlight the unique role of women in the world.
"In an age of growing gender confusion, Aglow helps women understand their uniquely created roles allowing them to effectively influence their families, churches and communities," said Hansen. "We want women to recognize their significance, not being silenced or disregarded, but rather respected and received?speaking wisdom and truth as they were created to do."
HISTORY OF AGLOW
Aglow began in 1967 with four Christian women who met together across denominational boundaries for prayer and fellowship. Today, Aglow has grown to include more than 21,000 leaders and 4,700 indigenous groups in nearly 170 countries, including some that are traditionally closed to Christianity. Through this worldwide network, Aglow ministers to an estimated 17 million people each year through prayer, teaching, and acts of compassion.
Since 1981, Aglow has labored to reunite the sexes under God's purposes found in Genesis. Aglow believes the restoration of male and female together is necessary for the Church to be fully restored and fulfill its destiny.
MUSLIM OUTREACH
In 1991, ten years prior to Sept. 11, Aglow first began to focus on worldwide prayer for Muslims. Today, Aglow offers regular seminars to educate the Church about the tenets of Islam while also implementing outreach programs to help Muslims, especially Muslim women who are often subjected to the worst kinds of human rights abuses.
Moreover, Aglow helps distribute TV programs in Arabic geared to Muslim women, which are aired via satellite throughout Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the U.S....today, hundreds of women meet in Aglow affiliate groups in 36 Muslim nations, many of whom must meet in secret and risk prison or death.
SUPPORTING ISRAEL
In 2000, Aglow publicly and corporately began supporting the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. Since then, Aglow, has led annual tours to the Holy Land including this year where Hansen led Aglow's seventh journey. Just as Aglow celebrates 40 years in existence, the nation of Israel celebrates 40 years since the reunification of Jerusalem under Jewish control. A highlight of this trip for Hansen was to speak at the first Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Women's Summit, of which she is a council member, May 20-21 in Jerusalem.
"We see this opportunity as a chance to bridge a gap between Jews and Christians," said Hansen. "Through seeing the land firsthand and getting to know the people of Israel, we will know how to support them as they continue to face political and social crises."
Learn more about Aglow at www.aglow.org.
