2011 - Keep the Miracle Alive!
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- Created on May 12, 2011
Dear Ones,
Here in the Pacific Northwest the newness and beauty of spring is all around us. This wonderful season is a much welcomed sight throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The extreme weather patterns of winter brought unusual amounts of snow and rain, along with numerous tornadoes. However, nothing compares to the devastating earthquakes that took place in both New Zealand and Japan, along with the tsunami that followed.
Let me share recent comments made by Noriko, our leader in Japan. I am overwhelmed by the aftershocks which have lasted for a month. The metrological agency warns that there will still be big aftershocks. I am concerned about the nuclear reactor in Fukushima, which is located next to our prefecture. I pray for protection. It is difficult to sleep at night. Lifestyle has changed. Spring has come to Japan. Usually we go out to enjoy the cherry blossoms, but this year I did not have that kind of cheerful desire.
While we have heard that our Aglow women in Japan are okay, many of them have lost much. Please continue to uphold our dear Aglow sisters and the people of Japan as they walk through this difficult time. The comfort of Jeremiah 29 speaks to our hearts; for I know the thoughts that I think toward you….to give you a future and a hope.
The Year 2011
As I looked to the Lord for direction the first part of 2011, I felt He spoke a couple of things to my heart for the Aglow ministry. Let me share them.
When my watch stopped at 5:10 just before the New Year, I began looking up scriptures related to these numbers and 1 of the scriptures that really spoke to me was in II Kings 5. Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, was seeking healing for his leprosy. The king of Syria had sent a letter to the king of Israel, advising that Naaman, his servant, was being sent to Israel so that he might be healed. The king of Israel was distraught. But the response of Elisha was, Let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. The prophetic word was spoken to Naaman that he was to go wash in the Jordan 7 times and his flesh would be restored clean.
I felt the Lord speak 2 things to my heart from this scripture. First, a greater prophetic voice would come through Aglow. Secondly, a healing ministry would also come through Aglow that would have freshness on it. We should not look for things to come in an old way. We should expect a fresh new way. This will be a time for us to be surprised by how God shows up in both prophecy and healing in 2011!
Eight years ago, at our 2003 Worldwide Conference, a definite and profound prophetic shift took place in Aglow. Since that time, we have been walking out that shift. There have been accompanying words spoken over Aglow confirming greater vision and purpose. We have all been so keenly aware of walking into an upgrade.
Just as Elisha released the prophetic word through Israel, I encourage you to expect and release a fresh prophetic flow from within yourself and within your area of ministry in Aglow. Be bold in releasing and expecting a fresh flow of healing. Step out in faith, expecting the miraculous to take place. Don’t hold back.
Aglow 2011 Worldwide Conference
This year is the 38th Aglow conference. The number 38 stands for slavery or enslavement. John 5 speaks of a man who had been lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. He was enslaved in an infirm body and had waited expectantly each year for the stirring of the water so that he might be healed. Then, Jesus came on the scene asking the man, Do you want to be made well? The infirm man’s response was that he had no one to put him into the pool when the water was stirred. He was looking for healing in the old way. Jesus simply said, Rise, take up your bed and walk. The new had come!
Even as Jesus came with the new, we must break away from the old way of doing things and embrace the new. Who we were in the last season is not who we are in the new season. God has a new way for us and I believe this conference will be an ongoing expression of all that is new and fresh. As we continue to walk towards our future, I believe it is imperative that you make plans to be in Houston. God stands in our future calling us to move into His prophesied place for us. We cannot walk in old ways down new paths.
The theme: A SOUND FROM THE NATIONS
The dates: September 29-October 2, 2011
The place: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston Texas
Board of Directors Meeting & Decisions
Our International Board of Directors met in March at the Worldwide Headquarters. I always love being part of these meetings. It is a pleasure to be able to gather with women from the nations as we pray and seek God’s direction for Aglow in the coming year. There is always such a unity of spirit that is so precious as we seek God together for Aglow. I want to share some updates with you regarding some decisions that were made in relation to Aglow’s future.
The Abuse of Women & Children
A year or so ago I read a book called Half the Sky. Several of the Leadership Team here at Headquarters read it as well. There began to be a deep stirring in my heart regarding the issues involving the brutality inflicted on women and girls in much of the world. These issues are gaining recognition as one of the greatest problems of this century. They are very much akin to the issue of slavery that William Wilberforce fought to abolish in the late 1700’s. There are literally millions who are being abused, trafficked, and coerced into various types of enslavement with no way out of their situation. We, Aglow, must make a stand.
It was decided that: Aglow International will pursue all avenues that address the issues of enslavement, oppression and abuse of people, such as human trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), and forced labor.
At the very heart of Aglow’s vision is the setting free of captives from the depths of hurt and pain, and bringing oppressed people into the liberating news of the gospel as said in Luke 4:18-19.
We are beginning to explore the possible direction this will take, by looking at the general guidelines that will be needed for this huge task. I will keep you apprised and updated of where we are going with this. Please wait for further instruction.
Israel Education Director
Sandy Wezowicz, current director of the New England Region, has been asked to serve as Israel Education Director. Sandy has been serving as Watchman on the Wall Director and will continue to provide these valuable seminars. In her new role, Sandy will research and prepare information related to Israel, the Jewish people, anti-Semitism, replacement theology, Palestinian theology, and long standing issues in the Middle East. Sandy is a gifted teacher/speaker with a passion for Israel and will be an able educator on these issues. She will be resigning her position as U.S. Regional Director in the near future.
As President/CEO, I will continue to give overall vision and direction to the Israel Mandate just as I currently do for Islam and Male/Female reconciliation.
“I” Mandate
Diane Moder continues to serve as Islam Awareness and Education Director. She continues to provide educational materials, both within the Aglow ministry and well beyond. She is looking for new ways to communicate the message via different media venues. A DVD released in the fall of 2010, Islam in the United States, has valuable information that everyone should be aware of. You can order this DVD to show at your retreats, Lighthouse and Area meetings, and churches.
Constitution
As we have seen God expand the ministry in greater ways to include men, it was the consensus of the IBOD that the time has come to amend the language of the Aglow Constitution to include women and men. When that is completed, we will notify you and you will be able to find the new constitution, just as you can find it now, on our website.
Advisors – Male & Female
Aglow has always believed that male advisors bring an important perspective to the ministry. As we walk into this new era of watching the Male/Female Mandate unfold before us, we felt that it was time to look again at the issue of female advisors. As a result, it was decided that a combination of female and male advisors may be appointed by each National Board, Area Team and Lighthouse Team under the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Use the current advisor policy in the Digest and Handbooks for each nation. We believe that both male and female advisors will bring an important perspective to the ministry.
Like male advisors, female advisors do not have to be pastors, but can be a woman in your community with wisdom, integrity and the Spirit of the Lord.
New Website
We are in the final stages of rebuilding aglow.org. Under the oversight of Rick Allen, Creative Services Director, the new site will have a fresh new look and incorporate improved functionality such as online shopping, translations, discussion boards and better access to news stories. We are excited about the launching of this new site, April 28, 2011.
The Creative Services Office is also currently working on a complete redesign of Aglow’s presence on Facebook. The potential for reaching today’s culture through social media is amazing. Please be praying with us as we continue to move towards maximizing these opportunities. I will have a new Fan Page coming soon on Facebook. If you have been on my group page, you will be invited to go to my new fan page and click “like” to become a part. We will let you know when the fan page is up and running and I invite you all to join me there.
New Worldwide Leadership Materials
New leadership materials have been developed covering the Majesty of God, Sound, and Dominion. Area and National leaders can access the materials by signing into MyAglow and clicking on the Worldwide Leadership Development Materials tab.
Since the close of last year, 5 pieces on Majesty, 2 on Sound, and 2 on Dominion have been developed to assist Area and National Teams as they speak the language of the new season during annual leadership development events. Each piece is available in English, Spanish, and French. Check each month for a new set of materials.
Generations Project Seattle
We are extremely excited about the Generations Project group that has formed here at our Worldwide Headquarters with the young people in our office. We have 9 under 30 years of age and they have been working over the last several months to become a Generations Group. They are doing exciting outreaches and will be producing resources to help you reach the young people in your communities. Watch and expect creative things that will be coming in the next few months.
Lina Thurston
Lina Thurston of Chile has served on the IBOD for many years and has been a much loved member of that Board. Lina is experiencing health issues and will no longer be serving the ministry in this capacity. Please keep her in your prayers as she valiantly walks this journey towards healing.
Closing
Just as Jesus went to John the Baptist asking to be baptized as He was entering a new season, I am asking the Holy Spirit for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit to come upon Aglow. Expect to see the lost drawn to your meetings. Expect to see broken hearts made whole. Expect to see your community transformed. The old, dead religious system and its emptiness has been exposed and the freshness of the Kingdom is at hand. Walk in it each day and carry the majesty of His Presence everywhere you go. The Spirit of the Lord is upon you and He has anointed YOU for this day. I believe we all need it for this new season. My heart cries out for it – so expect it – its coming!
Jane Hansen Hoyt
President/CEO
Aglow International
(425) 775-7282
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P.S. I am so grateful for all the ways you continue to support the Aglow vision and outreach into the world. Throughout our 43 years of ministry, God has touched thousands upon thousands of lives with the power of His love and restoration. Will you please consider giving an additional gift this Easter season to be a part of keeping the miracle alive as we stretch our arms even further?
