Happy 50th Birthday Aglow Australia!

In 1985, I attended my first Aglow meeting — a night gathering in Canberra, with the room filled to capacity with women. I heard singing in tongues for the first time, and it was glorious. The guest speaker had just returned from a trip to Israel, and her message was deeply inspiring — I loved every moment.

Before long, I began attending the Canberra Day Aglow meetings. It was there that I received the gift of tongues. I had found my spiritual home.

In 1988, I was asked to “do the overheads.” My immediate response was, “Oh no, I couldn’t do anything so up front!” — so instead, I was given the job of compiling and printing the monthly newsletters. We’ve all heard the saying, “Grow where you are planted,” and I truly did!

In 1990, I was selected to serve as Vice President of Canberra Day Aglow and continued in that role until the end of 1994. In 1995, I became Branch President, serving faithfully until late 2023 — by which time the title had changed to Team Leader. In 2022, I was appointed Mentor for the Southern NSW/ACT Region.

Over the years, I have witnessed many changes within Aglow — yet the substance and spirit of Aglow have never changed. What a privilege it has been to be part of this Holy Spirit–ordained movement: marching forward, advancing the Kingdom, and serving with and under mighty women of God throughout the decades.

I was asked to share a highlight from these years — but how can I choose just one? Who remembers Trekking for Jesus and all those wonderful National Conferences? We have travelled across this nation, carrying the Presence of God — His Spirit with us and in us — as we lift up the Name of Jesus throughout Australia.

And then, of course, there is Israel.

The memory of joining the Aglow International Prayer Journey to Israel in 2010 will stay with me forever. Standing on the Golan Heights, looking out over the land, praying into the Seven Mountains of Influence. Walking the Way of the Cross through the streets of Old Jerusalem. Standing on the battlements of the Temple Wall, overlooking the City of David. Visiting the Mount of Olives. Looking across the desert toward Jericho, and from a hilltop kibbutz toward Bethlehem. Praying outside Hebron. Spending Shabbat together in Ashkelon. Driving along the Gazan border. A day trip to Samaria. Crossing the Jordan, passing the Sea of Galilee, standing on Mount Carmel, and ending our journey in Nazareth. The Presence of God was tangible in every place we visited. To breathe the air of Israel is life-changing.

I give thanks and praise to God for the ministry of Aglow. In Aglow, we are given the tools to live a life of victory. We learn to hear His voice — and we find our own voices. And when Aglow raises her voice in praise, the enemy trembles. We are each different, yet all in tune with Him — and after all, it’s all about Him.

Happy 50th Birthday, Aglow Australia — you’re looking good!

“With Your help, O God, we can advance against a troop; with our God we can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:29 (paraphrased)

Susan Kover

Mentor, Southern NSW & ACT | Leader, ACT Book Club.