The Inside Story - May Edition

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

The 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, are forming the wider, magnificent story of Aglow Australia today.   Val Cairncross, “come on d-o-w-n!” 

As a long time Aglow Mentor, how good is it to have you share your heart with so many friends who love you within the Aglow family! You know what? Why don’t you just roll with it and share your journey starting from the beginning:   

Q: Where were you born and raised?

A: I was born on the North Island of New Zealand into a non-Christian farming family. I was the only daughter with three brothers, and our home was a place of love, security, and for the most part, peace.

Living on the land, I quickly learned the principles of shepherds and sheep, which has helped my understanding of Jesus and His children since becoming a Christian. Dad was my hero, and I might have been a little spoilt! I have fond memories of climbing onto his lap simply because I could. I was never rejected, and consequently, I have no issues with Father God, for which I am so very grateful.

Being on the farm, we all worked together, and another principle was built in me through the value of teamwork.

Q: You’re such a strong and committed Christian. Share with us how you came to know the Lord.

A: I was 27 when I met Jesus. I was married, divorced, married again, had two children, and was unhappy. A friend talked to me about God’s love. This was totally foreign to me, but I accepted her invitation to go to church, and that was only because they had drums, guitars, and keyboards!

It was so different to what I thought church would be. I loved the music, especially guitar. There, I got wondrously born again, and two years later I was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues.

My love of music found its place in that, where I learned the guitar and spent the next 30 years ministering in worship.

Q: When did you move to Australia?

A: We moved to Australia in 1982 and made Queensland our home. Being in leadership with the church, I felt the need to drop the guitar and concentrate on the Word only.

My marriage was very hard, as my husband wanted nothing to do with Jesus. Through those years though, I learned of God’s faithfulness for the children and me, and His promises to us. They committed their lives to Him and still walk with Him today!

Q: Val, share with us how you then discovered Aglow Australia.

A: I joined Aglow 10 years ago and soon found myself as the leader in Toowoomba. God had clearly spoken to me about this, and while I didn’t agree at first, He eventually won! I haven’t regretted it.

Looking back, I love how He prepared me for this wonderful journey, not only with Aglow, but also for a future on my own, free from all resistance.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to learn of the vision God has planted in Elizabeth. We are a strong, unshakable, and unmovable ministry for what He is purposing. Moving from glory to glory, we are in our “BUT NOW” time, through this new focus on identity and the connection it creates relationally with our Father and the world around us, who need this revelation.

On a personal level, in 2007 I went to visit my son in Alaska and had an encounter with the Holy Spirit up in the mountains at a ski resort. I was completely overwhelmed by the majestic beauty and was trying to find the right words to express myself. It was like the mountains were talking to me.

It was then that the Lord spoke to me and said, “But you are My masterpiece.” I was undone, and since then, I’ve never had a problem with my identity because of that revelation.

Q: We know you’re a much-valued Mentor of Aglow, but what would you say your gifting is?

A: In January 2025, I was reading Ephesians 1:1, where Paul was introducing himself and his function. There, I heard clearly again, where the Lord said, “I have placed an apostolic anointing on you.”

We then had Conference in August, with the commissioning of Elizabeth as our National Leader. For me, that was an establishing moment, not only for Aglow but also for myself. It all became real.

It’s not something I speak about often, but I feel it growing in me.

Q: I’ve heard that you have been given ministering opportunities at Teen Challenge.

A: This speaks to my passion. My greatest delight in all of this was being a mother. Never working outside of the home, it has led me to mentor because of my heart for others. My nickname is Mumma Val, which is so desperately needed.

This gives me great joy, being able to pull out the gold in someone who is struggling. It is also where the Lord opened a door for me to minister to women at Teen Challenge here in Toowoomba.

Prompted late last year about the possibility of regular visits, I came to know the supervisor, and it became an immediate open door. I made a commitment for the year to go monthly, and it is a pure joy. We have had salvations, many tears, prayers, and laughter.

It’s truly all such a journey, both with Aglow and personally, and I’m excited to see where this all leads by simply being available to however the Lord directs.