Aglow International is a trans-denominational organization of Christian women and men with more than 4,000 local groups in 171 nations of the world. It is one of the largest international women's organizations with over 1,100 local groups in the U.S. alone. Aglow reaches an estimated 200,000 women each month through local groups -- the heart of the organization.
Small group studies, care (support) groups, retreats, and annual conferences make up the Aglow year. Two foundational pillars of the organization, prayer, and outreach with the Good News, are supported with tangible responses to need: Gifts of clothing, food, housecleaning, and babysitting. Aglow women reach out to their communities in many directions: 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 who may need a cup of tea and a good chat with a friend.
Aglow Meetings and Local Bible Studies
Aglow is, by nature, dynamic around the world! Meetings vary from nation to
nation in order to meet the cultural and geographic needs of women in locations
as diverse as women themselves! Large groups gather to worship, and hear a
speaker; smaller groups (from 3-10 women) meet, forming prayer groups, Bible
studies, or care groups. Women with a heart for outreach form groups to help
meet community needs to visit nursing homes, orphanages, tutoring at schools,
participating in food programs.
Up close and personal: that’s a good way
to describe Aglow Bible studies. A small group of women meet together regularly
to study the Bible and share issues and questions that touch a woman’s heart.
Bible studies are an especially good place for new Christians to come together
with other Christian women to explore God’s Word and put the timeless truths
found there into action in their own personal lives.
Through fellowship, prayer, and loving support, women come to know who God created them to be, and by walking in the principles of that new identity, they are able to establish transparent, godly friendships that will last a lifetime. As one woman said, “Being part of an Aglow Bible study gave me the confidence to step into who God wants me to be as a woman.”
As Aglow has grown, more groups have formed around special areas of ministry such as prison ministry, ministry within local churches, outreach within neighborhoods, and teen or youth ministry.
Aglow Conferences
Around the world, Aglow conferences have become times of visitations from the
Lord, individually and corporately. It is during these times that Aglow women
catch vision from leaders, and become equipped to return as servant leaders in
their communities.
Through the years, national conferences have been held in more than 50 nations. Recently, in response to a growing desire among women to widen their sphere beyond national borders, Aglow has encompassed a wider sphere. Aglow’s recent All Asia, and All Africa conferences have drawn women from several nations, to further strengthened the bonds among women of faith.
For more than two decades, worldwide conferences (held in the U.S. on odd-numbered years), bring thousands of Aglow women together. One highlight of the gathering is the opening session’s flag parade where leaders from more than 100 nations joyously celebrate their faith, and life in the Spirit.
The meeting drew more than 100 women to the Meany Hotel close to the University of Washington campus. It didn’t take long for women who attended that first meeting to invite their neighbors and friends to gatherings in other communities surrounding Seattle. As the word spread, new groups began springing up around Washington state, and within months, groups formed in other U.S. states.
By 1972, more than 60 local groups held monthly meetings around the U.S. By 1973, Aglow was moving onto the global stage as fellowships began in Canada, and New Zealand. The Netherlands followed in 1974, marking Aglow as an international "network of caring women," in just six short years.
Today, Aglow spans the globe! And it continues to reach out to women of every creed, color, and culture, and, through women, to families worldwide. Over 4,600 Aglow groups meet worldwide, about 68% of them are outside the U.S. (over 2,850 groups).
More than 21,000 Aglow leaders worldwide minister in their communities and nations, to an estimated 17 million people each year. Today, 100% of the 172 nations have indigenous women overseeing the work in their nations.