Aglow seeks to expand its reach, invites men to meetings

When members of the local Aglow International describe what they witness at meetings, the organization’s name seems perfect.

They’ve seen, many times, a woman attend who they describe as a “candle with barely a flicker.”

“By the time they leave, they’re glowing,” says Linda Shelton. “They know they’re loved. And those relationships grow stronger.”

Aglow is a “transdenominational organization of Christian women” that is now in 172 nations on six continents.

The local Aglow leadership team includes Stephanie Barger, Lola Sevey, Helen Sargent, Terri Reed and Shelton.

Aglow, they say, is changing.

For one, they are encouraging men to join the monthly meetings.

Aglow, Barger said, partners with Christian men’s groups including Promise Keepers and Full Gospel Businessmen.

At the international Aglow conference in Kentucky in October, these women learned about the three mandates that are the current focus.

• “To promote gender reconciliation between male and female in the body of Christ.”

• “To answer God’s call to minister to the Muslim people while bringing awareness of the basic theological differences between Islam and Christianity.”

• “To stand in loving support for Israel and the Jewish people while helping bring awareness to the body of Christ concerning God’s plan and purpose for those people he calls the apple of His eye.”

At the local level, Aglow hopes to achieve these mandates “through prayer, fellowship and guest speakers from around the Northwest,” Barger said.

Aglow meets once a month. The next gathering will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave. The guests are Lorelei and Roy Harris of Whirlwind Ministries in Tumtum, Wash.

The rest of the 2010 dates are: March 22, April 12, May 18, June 15, July 20 (this is tentative), Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov.16 and Dec. 14.

All are at 6:30 p.m. at Crossroads.

Each gathering features prayer, fellowship with refreshments, and a guest speaker who talks about “what the Lord has put in their hearts to speak,” Barger said.

“We have one focus, and that’s God,” she said. “That’s our theology.”

Aglow also offers a chance to worship in a place outside of church.

“It’s bonding with women of other denominations and hearing what’s going on in their relationship with God, while we’re building our own,” Shelton said. “We just want to celebrate God with them.”

Currently, the local chapter sends out cards to announce the next meeting and the featured speaker. To add your name to the the mailing list, call Linda Shelton at 541-523-1135.

The monthly gatherings are open to everyone. There is no fee, but a freewill offering is taken to help cover the expenses for speakers who travel to Baker City.