Women's Aglow International

Women's Aglow, an international organization of women, experiences an intimate connection between worship and its major emphases of intercession and evangelism.

Women's Aglow International is an all-women's ministry. Its members are conscious of the call of God upon the organization to reach women of all ages, races, and cultures with the gospel. According to its mission statement, the goal of Women's Aglow is "to lead women to Jesus Christ and provide opportunity for Christian women to grow in their faith and minister to others." Women's Aglow seeks to fulfill its mission through the dual thrust of prayer and evangelism. The members of Women's Aglow believe that all their efforts to evangelize the women of the world must be preceded by prayer. The members form a network of prayer that covers the face of the earth. It is estimated that nearly a million Aglow women pray and intercede daily that the Lord's will might be accomplished in human affairs. During its international conferences and on other occasions, members of Women's Aglow may spend time worshiping, and interceding for the work of God and especially for the needs of women in different parts of the world. These times may involve extended periods of singing and playing instruments in the Spirit. A year after praying for the women of Cuba, Women's Aglow established a ministry for the evangelism of women in that nation. Following a meeting in Moscow with strategic prayer for the freedom of women in the states of the former Soviet Union, several Women's Aglow fellowships were established in those countries. Along with a continual stress on the importance of intercession and evangelism, Women's Aglow also recognizes the need to teach women to become worshipers as well. Worship plays a key role both in both developing and in maintaining a living and vital relationship with the Lord. Our emphasis on worship is evident in instruction, in worship methods, as well as in the process of entering into the experience of worship. Praise and worship leaders are trained through seminars and workshops taught by the more experienced worship leaders in Women's Aglow. Often pastors and other church leaders attend these training sessions. Training materials for worship are also available from the organization. Because women are by nature highly relational and intuitional, most find it relatively easy to move into both the attitude and practice of worship. In the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42), one sees Mary demonstrating the attitude of worship. Although, she could have kept busy performing tasks like her sister, she instead followed the desire of her heart and sat at the feet of Jesus, enjoying his presence and listening to his words which brought life and joy to her soul. Often women, too, are faced with that same choice in their daily lives: to spend time with Jesus or to be drawn aside by the endless tasks that face them. All women long for intimacy with those they love. Women's Aglow finds that as intimacy is attained through relationship with the Lord, the resultant outflow is evangelism. Leading others to Jesus occurs quite naturally as women share with one another the blessings of the relationship, they have with the Lord Jesus Christ, who loves them perfectly and completely. Many times during praise and worship at Women's Aglow meetings or retreats, the presence of God is so evident that nonbelievers in the room realize their need for a Savior. Unbelievers have also been touched by a prophetic word during the praise and worship time, a word which has convinced them of their need for a personal relationship with God. Opportunity is always given for such people to receive Jesus, either before the close of the meeting or through individual prayer and counseling afterwards. The strong thrust of evangelism in Women's Aglow is also reflected in some of the music worshipers sing, as well as in the exhortations given to worshipers. Exodus 3 is God's mandate sending us forth to "?go and tell?":

Tell them that I AM sent you,

Tell them Jehovah has heard. Tell them I've seen their deep sorrows— Yahweh the hope of the world. Lift up the weary, restore the oppressed, Care for the faint and rejected. Brighten the dreary, bind guilt and fear, Taking the shame from their face. (Ruth Collingridge, "Tell Them," Copyright (c) 1991, SpiritSong Celebration) Women's Aglow's commission is to "go and tell" people that Christ is salvation, healing, life, and love, and that in his name there is hope. In a world filled with darkness and despair, people need to hear of the great hope available through Jesus. Christians have the privilege of responding to many opportunities to share the life of Christ with those around them. Women's Aglow International seeks to be faithful in presenting the gospel message clearly to all who will listen.