Our History
AGLOW
INTERNATIONAL
Aglow International began in the U.S. with just four women who had shared desires. And that was to meet as Christians without denominational boundaries, and a passion to impact their world through bold faith and prayer.
With its first meeting in 1967 attracting over 100 women in Seattle, Washington, USA, the friendship soon became a catalytic ministry, with new groups rapidly emerging not only within the state itself, but a growing global presence.
Today, Aglow is a worldwide movement of women committed to discipleship and prayer that’s present in 170 nations, supported by 22,000 leaders, and operating through 4,600 Aglow groups, together, impacting an estimated 17 million people each year.
Aglow International has been led by Jane Hansen Hoyt since 1980.
(See aglow.org for a more detailed history of Aglow International.)
AGLOW IN AUSTRALIA
In February 1975, Aglow Australia held their first meetings in Sydney and Melbourne. This was followed by Pennant Hills, Sydney in May, who became the first Aglow group to be officially affiliated with the U.S.
Meeting a growing hunger for lives who wanted to encounter more of the Holy Spirit, Aglow International Australia, rapidly grew with groups forming in Newcastle, Canberra, Geelong, and Launceston later that same year.
The ministry’s first official National President, Joan Morton, having heard of Aglow at its inception, gathered seven women together to pray and establish Aglow in Brisbane. She was appointed President of Brisbane Aglow Fellowship in 1976, where groups commenced on the Sunshine Coast.
In March 1977, Board members from the Aglow International U.S., office visited Australia to teach at Leadership Training seminars in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Subsequently, at an Aglow International Convention in Chicago in 1978, Joan was appointed National President of Aglow in Australia, upon which a National Board was formed.
The National Office operated in Brisbane until 2005, where upon Joan’s retirement, Kerry-Ellen Logan was then appointed National President and the National Office relocated to Perth.
In 2020, the designated office was closed, and staff now operate from home. Aglow Australia then became Aglow International Australia Ltd, a company limited by guarantee.
In 2021, with Kerry-Ellen as Chair of the Aglow South Pacific Regional Committee, the first Aglow South Pacific Conference was held online, joining together the nations of the South Pacific.
Today, Aglow International Australia is in every state and territory and remains key in the South Pacific Region.
Upon Kerry-Ellen retiring in 2022, Carol Price was appointed as Interim National Leader and Jeanette Ward, National Leader
New Zealand, as Chair of the Aglow South Pacific Regional Committee.
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In late 2024, Elizabeth West was appointed as the new National Leader of Aglow Australia, following the retirement of her predecessor. With her extensive experience and passion for the organisation's mission, Elizabeth is poised to lead Aglow Australia into its next chapter of growth and impact.