Aglow began in 1967 with four women in Seattle WA, USA. Hungry to experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit happening in their region, they brought other women together to pray. They called on God, He spoke, and they listened. Three of the women received the same verse: “Be aglow and burning with the Spirit” (Romans 12:11 AMP), and a women’s movement was born.
HOLY SPIRIT DNA
Aglow in Canada began the following year, 1968, in Victoria, B.C. The Victoria group exchanged speakers with the group in Seattle and was counseled by speaker Rita Bennett, a leader in the Charismatic Renewal, not to pattern their meetings after church services but to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to learn from Him. Responsiveness to the Holy Spirit has been the DNA of Aglow in Canada.
AGLOW FLOURISHES
globally…
Meanwhile, Women’s Aglow Fellowship grew into a global “network of caring women”. In 1995, it became Aglow International to reflect both its global expansion and openness to the contributions and involvement of men. Over 4600 Aglow groups meet worldwide, and more than 22,000 Aglow leaders minister in their communities and nations to an estimated 17 million people yearly in over 170 nations.
And nationally…
Aglow Canada flourished as local groups were established across the nation and organized into Areas to ensure support and oversight. Women flocked to Aglow to experience the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit, then took that Presence into their local churches and communities, transforming them in the process.
TIME FOR AN UPGRADE!
In 2000, the Holy Spirit initiated a shift and began to speak over the future of Aglow in Canada. He dismantled what had produced much fruit but was inadequate for the new season we were entering. He severed our dependence on human structures and claimed headship for Himself. He provided GameChangers and LifeChangers, tools developed by Graham Cooke for Aglow International, to train women and men to recognize and live out of their identity in Christ. Canada became a global pacesetter in deploying these tools across the nation.
How we will carry out our vision and mission is still in the formation stage. Area Teams have a regional call to establish local “Wells” that develop Kingdom-of-God families and works for the Lord. Our National Apostolic Team encourages Area and Local Teams to lay down agendas, rules, and procedures, listen to the Lord together, and do what He tells them to bring Kingdom transformation in their localities and regions.
Stay tuned as the Potter reworks us and continues to pour His Spirit into and through us.
For further exploration:
- Aglow International History https://aglow.org/aglow-history/
- Danyele Bloom Holtner, Wanda Fost and Leslie Precht. Draw Near to Hear: Practical Wisdom for Hearing God Personally and Corporately (2021). Contact our National Office to obtain a copy. Click here to read an excerpt, “A Holy Spirit Movement”.
- GameChangers and LifeChangers materials can be found under RESOURCES/AGLOW INTERNATIONAL