The Inside Story - June Edition

An inside look at the stories of those behind Aglow Australia. 

Our Inside Story takes an inside look at the lives we love, perhaps only heard about, or may not even know at all. Mentors, leaders, valued Kingdom partners, and most of all you, of whom, together, form the wider, magnificent story of Aglow Australia today.  

In this month's Inside Story, we have the privilege of interviewing apostolic prophet Nate Johnston, who, along with his wife Christy, are Aglow's Keynote speakers at our PRESENCE Conference in August! 

Q: Nate, a big Aussie welcome! For us at Aglow - OK, let's get real… for many Australians who follow your ministry too - we're super excited to know you'll be back soon in Oz as our Keynotes.

We believe the Conference's theme, ARISE, represents so much more than just a motivating word. Instead, it’s symbolic of what the Lord's calling of us, not just as an organisation, but equally the wider body, in what’s a new era in Him. Thanks for giving us an inside look into what you're sensing?

A: When we received the invitation to be the speakers for the Aglow Arise Conference, I instantly heard two words: a new chapter and a recommissioning. I believe that Aglow is in a moment right now where God is truly reinventing and rebranding not just the movement, but also the people who run alongside it and have identified with its mission and vision over the years.

Beyond that, I believe the intercessors of the world right now, especially those connected to Aglow, are in a time of recommissioning. I believe it’s almost like an Elisha–Elijah moment, where God is throwing a new mantle around them, and they are stepping into something fresh and new. But there is a tension between stepping into something new and having to burn the plough, letting go of old mindsets, pain, and the weariness that many intercessors have walked through.

I believe this time together at the Conference is going to be really special. There will be a lot of deliverance and healing, as well as the Lord putting fresh fire on our feet to run into a new chapter together.

Q: It's not unnoticed that the Conference's location is in Tasmania either. We're hearing a lot globally about an awakening - that third wave - regarding revival, so it's interesting Tasmania carries a large revival lineage. There's an increasing focus on this state even with prophets globally, so it's no coincidence we're on that land in August. Given Australia's a forerunner nation, there’s an awareness that we’ll be participating in such a strategic time spiritually.

A: I agree. And people won’t know this, but the very first place Christy and I spoke together when we started ministry was actually Tasmania. There’s something special about this state, and I believe it’s prophetically significant, especially because of what God is birthing right now through the nation of Australia.

I think in a lot of ways, Australians have forgotten who they are. They’ve forgotten how mighty they are. They’ve forgotten what a warrior nation we are. And I believe that what God is doing right now is that He’s reawakening us and reminding us of who we are.

Tasmania has always felt like that small and insignificant David, not just to Australia, but even among the nations of the earth. Quiet, overlooked, but powerful. The loud and boisterous often take centre stage, and yet I believe this time together at the conference is like the Lord saying, Come on, David, you’re called to take down Goliath. Pick up your stones again.

I believe this time will be a prophetic act, a reawakening, and a coming into agreement and alignment with the prophetic words and revival that have been spoken over the nation of Australia.

Q: We love your vision and passion for all things Kingdom - and equally your intolerance towards just 'doing church' in a season that now calls for more. Share a little about what drives this in you? 

A: Well, it all started with an encounter I had in 2009. We were in Redding, and Christy and I both had a powerful encounter with God at the altar that night. The encounter I had was the Lord speaking to me about what the church was going to become, and it absolutely ruined me for anything else.

I saw the raw and messy revival that was coming. I saw the deep covenant fellowship return, like in the book of Acts. I saw the signs, wonders, miracles, the healings, the power. I saw a church that had a mighty roar.

And so it’s just difficult for me, and it has been difficult for me over the years, to ever pretend that what we see in a lot of environments is the true measure of the Kingdom. I’m not against it. I love the local church. But there is always going to be that longing in me to see the church become everything I saw in that vision. I believe many of us have felt that same thing.

The intolerance I feel is simply an intolerance toward a version of the Kingdom, a version of the gospel, and a version of Jesus that is far too insignificant, a counterfeit. And I am longing to see the church become everything that Jesus died on the Cross for it to be.

Q: We are all aware of last year's event where you and Christy partnered with Lou Engle, calling for a million Esthers to arise in Washington DC. Supported by the 'Mordechai's,' it was powerful to see all that Christy was carrying - and birthing - as His daughters arose as one to redeem the nation through prayer and fasting. Aglow is looking forward to having that imparted to us as a movement also, as we believe what that represented then, is just as relevant now!   

A: I believe that the event on the mall was like an impartation of something that is still being released and going around the earth today. It was a battle in the heavenlies, and what many people don’t know is that behind the scenes, there was a battle for over a year to get the permit for that particular date.

One day, Lou Engle called Christy, asking if they should move the date because someone else had October 12. But she knew the significance of it being the day of atonement. She knew we had to stick to that date. She said to Lou, “No, this is the date,” because we weren’t going in there just for an event. We were going in there to battle in the heavenlies and to see the blood of the Lamb take back the nation of America and the nations of the earth.

As Christy roared that day and we saw that altar get smashed (which was a real altar by the way,) it became a decree over the land that the battle was won for the nation of America. I believe that same roar and that same battle cry in that prophetic act are being released right now around the world in many nations.

To all the intercessors and all the watchmen of the earth who are taking back their authority and reclaiming their place on the wall for their nations, I believe what we are carrying in this moment, is a release and impartation of that cry, a cry to God: tear down principalities and powers. Everywhere we go, everywhere these people go, Father, let principalities and demonic ideologies bow their knees to the name of Jesus.

Q: Lastly, on a more personal note, we know you and Christy are passionate about family. Having three young daughters, share with us what they (and you!) are most excited about doing and seeing when here in Australia?

A: Well, it’s been years since we’ve been to Australia, and all three of my girls have really been missing the wildlife. They’ve been missing the beaches, the bush, the cockatoos and kookaburras, and just the laid-back culture in Australia. They’ve missed the bakeries, they’ve missed chicken salt. Lol

So I think during our time back in Australia, we’re really looking forward to a lot of family time outdoors. We really love being outside, being in nature, swimming, surfing, bushwalking and we’re looking forward to exploring Launceston when we’re down there with you, and just having some special family moments.

Family is very important to us. We put it at the forefront. We know it’s our first ministry, and when we prioritise it, everything else just seems to fall into place really well. So I’m grateful for the Aglow movement and leadership for inviting us in, but also for helping us prioritise our family within that. I’m super grateful.

(Register now to ensure a seat! Presence Conference | Information)