My Aglow Journey

I was first invited to Aglow by one of my children’s teachers in the mid-1980s, and I’ve been part of Aglow ever since. It was the Knox City Branch, with Dorothy Jones as President. The branch had about 80 beautiful, well-groomed women. I saw myself as an uneducated, plain little migrant girl — yet they welcomed and accepted me.

The worship was so anointed. One day, during worship, I heard an almost audible voice saying, “Come with Me.” The Holy Spirit was wooing me, and in fear and trembling, I said yes. That was my true born-again moment. A few weeks later, while at home reading Nine O’Clock in the Morning, I was baptised in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues.

I attended faithfully, sometimes still in my netball uniform so I could stay until the very last minute before running to my game. In those days, we had hospitality teams who served tea and coffee with scones, jam, and cream. When I was asked to join the team, I cried. It felt like such a privilege to be trusted with pouring tea for these ladies.

Not long after, perhaps a year later, it was time for leadership selection — and I was chosen as the new President. Holy Spirit had well and truly thrown me into the deep end! But He encouraged me, reminding me that I could hear His voice and that was all I needed. I learned to trust Him. Thankfully, I also had an excellent team around me who supported, loved, and encouraged me through my trials, fears, and doubts.

I served as President for over 20 years until I knew it was time to pass the baton. Looking back, it’s hard to pick one single highlight. There were so many moments of healing, growth, and transformation. What they all had in common was this: the undergirding of unconditional love and acceptance from people who continually called me up into who I could be in Christ. For that, I am forever grateful — to both those who have gone to be with the Lord and those still walking with us today.

Now, I serve on the Ministry Team and continue to encourage others through Game Changers. It’s such a powerful study, helping us stay grounded in who we are — and whose we are — in an ever-changing world.

As Mentor Coordinator, it is one of my greatest privileges to walk alongside so many beautiful women, encouraging and supporting branch leadership teams. I feel deeply blessed to have been planted so firmly in Aglow soil.

Isaiah 58:10–11

Riekie Dalm

Mentors / Game Changers Coordinator