Aglow International

Aglow International is a transdenominational organization of Christian women that influential Christian leaders such as Chuck Pierce [ [http://gloryofzion.org/pierce_0.htm Glory of Zion Ministries] ] have called a global "movement" [Chuck Pierce, "Aglow is not just an organization; it is a present day movement that God will use to fulfill His heavenly Plan." ] . Formerly known as Women's Aglow Fellowship, it is one of the largest women's associations in the world, [God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission. R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997] with more than 200,000 members meeting together each month through local Aglow groups in 171 nations.

Aglow International is headquartered in Edmonds, Washington. The organization was born in 1967 out of the charismatic movement that swept the United States in the sixties. The name Aglow is taken from Romans 12:11 of The Amplified Bible, "Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord." [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/resourcesfaq.aspx?id=480] (Aglow's web site)]

Aglow's official web site states that it is established in 171 nations on 6 continents, all of which have indigenous women overseeing the work in their nations. There are over 1,250 community, neighborhood and workplace groups in the U.S. alone, as well as 3,101 local groups internationally. [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/about.aspx] (Aglow's Web Site)]

An estimated 200,000 women [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/resourcesfaq.aspx?id=758] (Aglow's Web Site)] meet together each month through local Aglow groups. More than 21,000 Aglow leaders [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/resourcesfaq.aspx?id=758] (Aglow's Web Site)] worldwide minister in their communities. An estimated 17 million people each year are ministered to through Aglow groups.

Although Aglow has an overarching mission and identity, each local group is allowed to develop ministries which are best suited to the immediate needs and social characteristics of its community. Aglow is concerned with every aspect of women's lives, and this is reflected in a diversity of ministry programs. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

Aglow's activities include small group studies, care (support) groups, retreats, and annual conferences. Aglow women also offer practical gifts of clothing, food, house cleaning, and babysitting, as well as the mentorship of young women. They impact their communities by reaching out to women in prison, in senior homes, inner city neighborhoods, and mental institutions; to single moms, as well as to the average woman next door.

Aglow International is a non-profit organization. It is also a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.com's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

History

1967 - Aglow began with four women who expressed a desire to meet together as Christians without denominational boundaries. ["Aglow Spreads Faith, Community of Women Conference set for Milwaukee" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 29, 2006] The four women were wives of members of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. The women wanted a similar women's devotional association, "one where 'those coming into the charismatic renewal could meet to pray, fellowship, and listen to the testimonies of other Christian women.' In a few months the women had formed the Full Gospel Women's Fellowship which spread rapidly." [God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission. R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997] The first general meeting in Seattle drew more than 100 women to the Meany Hotel close to the University of Washington campus. It did not take long for women who attended that first meeting to invite their neighbors and friends to regular meetings in other communities surrounding Seattle. Word spread, and new groups began springing up around Washington.

1972 - More than 60 local groups held monthly meetings around the U.S. ["Aglow Spreads Faith, Community of Women Conference set for Milwaukee" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 29, 2006] The Full Gospel Women's Fellowship incorporated as the Women's Aglow Fellowship International. ["God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission", R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997]

1973-'74 - Groups began in Canada, New Zealand, and The Netherlands, making Aglow an international "network of caring women."

1981 – Aglow's President, Jane Hansen, began to speak and write about the restoration of women according to the significance of their created role as outlined in the Bible. This grew into Aglow's teaching on the importance of male/female reconciliation in the Church. ["Fashioned for Intimacy", Jane Hansen with Marie Powers, Regal Books, 1997]

1991 & 1995 – Aglow began focusing on ministering to Muslims. [ [http://www.alrcnewskitchen.com/aglow/docs/release06.pdf "Aglow International: Still Shining Bright After 40 Years"] A. Larry Ross Communications, March 15, 2007] Aglow tries to bring awareness about Islam to Christians and also sponsors an Arabic Language television show that is geared specifically for Muslim women. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

1995 – Women's Aglow Fellowship changed its name to Aglow International. This change was instituted to encompass the growing global nature of the organization.

2001 - Aglow decided to stand with and support the nation of Israel and the Jewish people in the following areas [ [http://www.aglow.org/pdf/israel/WHY%20AGLOW%20AND%20ISRAEL.pdf Why Aglow and Israel] (Aglow's Web Site)] :

:*To expose anti-Semitism and false doctrines which seek to destroy the Jewish people such as Replacement Theology or Supersessionism, calling for repentance in the Church at large;:*To love, support, honor, and esteem the Jewish people as the root from which Christianity has grown (Romans 11:18) [ [http://bible.cc/romans/11-18.htm Romans 11:18] ]

2007 - Aglow celebrated its 40th anniversary with a worldwide International conference in September. Aglow also organized its seventh trip to Israel in conjunction with Jane Hansen's participation in the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Women's Summit.

Structure

Aglow International has a hierarchical leadership structure. Within the US, local Aglow groups are called Lighthouses. [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/resourcesfaq.aspx?id=440 Aglow's Leadership and Team Structure in the US] (Aglow's web site)] Outside the US, these groups are called Candlelight groups. [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/resourcesfaq.aspx?id=452 Aglow's Leadership and Structure Outside the US] (Aglow's Web Site)] The local groups are composed of women who come together for Bible Study, teachings, and also to perform community outreach tasks and events. Meetings can take place in any location from homes to community halls to prisons ["Aglow Spreads Faith, Community of Women Conference set for Milwaukee" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 29, 2006] . Lighthouses and Candlelight groups are under the leadership of local women who have undergone the requisite leadership training. These leaders are in turn under the authority of Area Teams. Area Teams give oversight to multiple groups in a particular region or area. National Directors or Presidents oversee all the Area Teams in a nation. All the leaders in these offices are indigenous women who have also undergone leadership training. In keeping with its charismatic roots, Aglow requires all its leaders to show evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit by being able to speak in tongues. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

In addition, each region in the world has a Prayer Coordinator who oversees and coordinates the prayer ministry under the oversight of the Prayer Director. The entire structure of Aglow is under the leadership of the International Board of Directors, of which Jane Hansen is the President. This International Board is composed of 11 women of different nationalities who are Aglow national leaders within their own countries as well. Each Aglow group also has at least one male advisor – usually a person of some prominence within an evangelical church. "This structure, together with leadership seminars for specific regions as well as national and worldwide conferences, comprises an international support network and helps to ensure that each local group reflects Aglow's essential identity." [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

All of the persons in these positions of leadership give their time voluntarily. The only exception is the paid staff of thirty two at the Aglow Worldwide Headquarters in Edmonds, Washington. This staff is responsible for the financial well-being of the organization, the implementation of its goals and purposes, the organization of national conferences and events, and all promotional and advertising materials.

An individual becomes a member of Aglow by entering into what is known as a "covenant partnership". [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/give.aspx?id=162&ekmensel=c580fa7b_96_102_btnlink Covenant Partnership] (Aglow's web site)] This partnership involves the commitment of regular prayer for the organization as well as financial support in free-will donations. However, people are free to attend Aglow meetings without becoming a covenant partner. Aglow International receives most of its funding from covenant partner donations, individual donations, conference fees, and grants from foundations. A current financial report can be found in the ECFA's web site. [ [http://www.ecfa.org/?PageName=MemberProfile2&MemberID=11482 Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Member Profile] ]

Mission

Aglow's mission is threefold: [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/about.aspx?id=134&ekmensel=c580fa7b_70_76_btnlink Aglow's Mission Statement] (Aglow's web site)]

:#To restore and mobilize women around the world:#To promote gender reconciliation in the Body of Christ as God designed:#To amplify awareness of global concerns from a biblical perspective

Restoration and Mobilization of Women

Restoration: Aglow believes that in order to be restored, a woman must first be saved and restored to relationship with God. Part of restoration is discipleship, prayer, encouragement, emotional healing – all of which come through relationship. Aglow believes that true restoration of a woman can only occur after she has reached a place of desperation and is willing to turn completely to God for help. ["God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission."R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997] After this act of surrender, God is able to work through her and heal her emotionally and spiritually.

In addition to the spiritual restoration of women, Aglow also believes in their physical restoration and empowerment and works to elevate the status of women worldwide. To that end, Jane Hansen serves on the board of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) Women's Council and spoke at their inaugural Women's Summit: "Empowering Women through Judeo-Christian Values" in Jerusalem May 21-22. Women representatives from every country in the world, including many representatives from Aglow, attended the two-day event to be trained as ambassadors who will mobilize their respective governments to promote the status of women in their home country. [ [http://amiel-kcac-conference.hadgama.co.il/index.php Empowering Women Through Judeo-Christian Values] (KCAC Conference Web Site)] The women focused on lobbying their government to end the following abuses of women: genital mutilation, incest, domestic violence and honor killings. In addition, they also focused on lobbying their governments to promote and advance the following rights for women: freedom of religion, education, free speech and participation in the electoral process. [ [http://amiel-kcac-conference.hadgama.co.il/content.php?actions=show&id=2618 Knesset Christian Allies Caucus Women's Council Official Web Site] ] Jane Hansen spoke on the second day of the conference and addressed the issue of violence against women. [ [http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/164715.aspx 'I Am My Sister's Keeper'] CBN News, May 25, 2007]

Mobilization: To mobilize is "to gather together, to activate, to assemble." Aglow has been mobilizing women since 1967 through its international prayer network and leadership development, preparing women to be mobilized as servant leaders. A quick phone call to an Aglow woman in any city, state or country and Aglow is mobilized to meet a need. [ [http://www.ecfa.org/?PageName=MemberProfile2&MemberID=11482 Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Member Profile] ] Aglow also provides extensive leadership training. Any leader within Aglow first has to go through this training before she is allowed to take up her post. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

Gender Reconciliation

In 1981, the issue of restoration of women led Aglow's President, Jane Hansen, to the issue of male and female reconciliation in the Church. According to Hansen, this issue seeks to restore the biblical view of God's purpose for creation(Genesis 1:26-28) [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=GEN%201:26-28&version=9;] . This purpose was to have a family, a people who would share His life, nature, spirit, , and , and through whom He would express His life, power, and glory in the earth. ["So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27, N.K.J.V.] Hansen believes that it takes male and female together to fulfill this purpose and that the restoration of this relationship is necessary before the Church as a whole can fulfill its to express God's image. ["Fashioned for Intimacy" Jane Hansen with Marie Powers, Regal Books, 1997]

Hansen believes that women were "uniquely and specifically designed to stand before the man in an , face-to-face relationship." [ [http://www.aglow.org/pdf/biblestudies/JANE%20HANSEN%20ON%20Male-Female%20Reconciliation.pdf "Jane Hansen on Male Female Reconciliation"] Jane Hansen, October 24, 2004] However, although women were meant to look to God to find their life, , value and , since the fall of Eve in the dawn of creation, they have looked instead to men to fulfill these needs. Hansen states that only when "a woman's heart is turned back to God to meet her needs, she is…free to be the help God intended her to be: to draw the man out of his aloneness by relating on a level that moves past the surface and touches the deep places of his heart. She is then able to stand in a healthy, face-to-face relationship with him." [ [http://www.aglow.org/pdf/biblestudies/JANE%20HANSEN%20ON%20Male-Female%20Reconciliation.pdf "Jane Hansen on Male Female Reconciliation"] Jane Hansen, October 24, 2004]

Aglow offers seminars and workshops to help women in the practical application of male-female reconciliation. The seminars teach women how to find " and joy in their daily relationships…to create families full of joy and marriages free from resentment." [God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission. R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997] Participants report that these teachings have helped to restore their marriages and other significant relationships. [God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission. R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997]

Global Concerns

For years, Aglow women have been actively involved in works of , empowerment, and training as part of their outreach efforts, specifically in refugee camps and war-torn nations. Aglow Relief, a subsidiary of Aglow International, has been incorporated for humanitarian and compassion purposes and is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status with the federal government. [ [http://www.alrcnewskitchen.com/eblast/others/070315_aglow.htm "Aglow International: Still Shining Bright After 40 Years"] A. Larry Ross Communications, March 15, 2007]

Aglow has partnered with many organizations worldwide to further its humanitarian interests. In May 2006, more than $30,000 and half a ton of humanitarian supplies were carried to Israel in suitcases by 600 men and women in an Aglow-sponsored solidarity tour. This aid was disseminated to many organizations in Israel such as the Yemin Orde Youth Village near Haifa, the Magen David Adom blood donation center in Jerusalem, the Ethiopian Absorption Center in Mevaseret Zion and the Ma'aynei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. ["Through Fire and Water - Aglow International: A Compassionate Touch" Jerusalem Post Christian Edition, October 2006]

More than $20,000 was also donated to Aglow members who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. CEO and President, Jane Hansen, made a personal visit to the affected areas to distribute these monies. [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/aglownewscontent.aspx?id=1072 "Voices from the Gulf"] (Aglow's web site)] Over $40,000 and humanitarian supplies were also donated for the relief of victims of the tsunami that hit Asia in December 2004. [ [http://www.aglow.org/Aglow/aglownewscontent.aspx?id=1208 "Tsunami Relief Report"] (Aglow's web site)]

Aglow also partners with organizations in the cities where their yearly conferences are held. Conference locations vary from year to year. In 2006, Aglow partnered with the City on a Hill ["Aglow Spreads Faith, Community of Women Conference set for Milwaukee" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 29, 2006] , an organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to meeting the needs of the central city by providing hands-on training, faith-based multicultural education, community outreach, economic empowerment, housing developments, and health and social services. [ [http://www.cityonahillmilwaukee.org/aboutus/default.asp City on a Hill Vision Statement] ] Participants at the Aglow conference prayed specifically for this charity and also made sizeable donations to further its outreach. ["Aglow Spreads Faith, Community of Women Conference set for Milwaukee" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 29, 2006]

Aglow has also received many grants and funding from secular organizations. A donation of $40,000 was made in September 2006 to the Ghana branch of Aglow by Western Union Money Transfer. This money was given in aid of the construction of a women's vocational institute. The vocational institute will offer training in Craft and , Management and Catering, Dressmaking, Batik Making, Hairdressing, Studies, Bookkeeping, Accounting, Communication Skills, Basic Education, as well as Snail and Mushroom Farming. Western Union made this donation to assist Aglow in their mission to empower women in the community of Ghana. [ [http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/news_detail.php?newsid=1412&section=2 "Western Union donates $40,000 to Aglow International"] The Statesman, September 16, 2006] As of March 2007, construction has started on the classrooms, workshops and offices. [ [http://www.aglowghana.org/links/projects.html Aglow Ghana Vocational Center] ]

Focus on Prayer

Considering the of world crises, Aglow believes God has called the organization to be a "Global House of Prayer." Aglow women believe it is part of this call to lift up their families, their communities, their nations, and the nations of the world. Aglow women pray in small groups and in large national and international gatherings. [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ]

In her book about Aglow International, "God's Daughters," R. Marie Griffith states that, "God calls his daughters to perform mighty acts and inaugurate transformations through their prayers, rendering Christian women vital instruments of and healing to a broken and dying world." ["God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission."R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997] Aglow women believe that their prayers have been in effecting change in their homes, communities and the world at large.

40th Anniversary

2007 marked Aglow International's 40th year of service and ministry. More than 200,000 Aglow members celebrated worldwide, and many attended commemorative events including an international conference Sept. 20-23 in the organization's founding city, Seattle, and a tour of Israel -- the group's seventh such journey to the Holy Land since 2000. [ [http://www.alrcnewskitchen.com/aglow/docs/release06.pdf "Aglow International: Still Shining Bright After 40 Years"] A. Larry Ross Communications, March 15, 2007 ]

Criticisms of Aglow International

MinistryWatch.org, an independent organization that acts as a " watchdog" for Christian ministries points out the following issues that some people have with Aglow International [ [http://www.ministrywatch.org/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=237275330 MinistryWatch.org's Summary Report on Aglow International] ] ::*"Aglow's emphasis on speaking in tongues, particularly in requiring this of its leaders, seems to be out of line with the teachings of Scripture, which do not make tongues-speaking a for leadership.:*Aglow's focus on gender reconciliation within the Church seems to involve accepting women's ordination to pastoral ministry, a recent innovation which many Christians believe is unbiblical.:*Some people might think that Aglow's teaching on relationships… is heavy on pop psychology and light on Christian doctrine.:*Some Christians have criticized what they perceive as Aglow's ecumenism, particularly the organization's openness to Roman Catholics.:*Some people are wary of Aglow's claims to be an apostolic and prophetic ministry, especially as this ongoing special revelation from God."

Further reading

"The Journey of a Woman", Jane Hansen, Regal Books, 1998."Fashioned for Intimacy", Jane Hansen with Marie Powers, Regal Books, 1997."God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission", R. Marie Griffith, University of California Press, 1997.

References