About Us

who expressed a desire to meet together as Christians without denominational boundaries. The first general meeting was held in Seattle, Washington, USA, close to where Aglow’s Worldwide Headquarters exists today.

The meeting drew more than 100 women to the Meany Hotel close to the University of Washington campus. It didn’t take long for women who attended that first meeting to invite their neighbors and friends to gatherings in other communities surrounding Seattle. As the word spread, new groups began springing up around Washington State, and within months, groups formed in other U.S. states.

but would ultimately encompass men as well. From a small beginning, God breathed on Aglow throughout five decades to impact lives in over 170 nations. Aglow has been Spirit born, Spirit led for over 50 years. 

Today, Aglow spans the globe reaching out to women, and men of every creed, color, with 22,000 Aglow leaders worldwide ministering in their communities and nations, to an estimated 17 million people each year with indigenous leaders overseeing Aglow groups in nearly 170 nations. More than 3,000 Aglow groups meet worldwide, with over 2,000 groups outside the US.

To learn more about Aglow International please visit the website at Aglow.org.

In the 1960s, as the Holy Spirit moved powerfully in Wisconsin, many women began accompanying their husbands to Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meetings in Milwaukee. Among them was Lorna Toll. Inspired by what she heard about Women’s Aglow, she traveled to Washington in the early 1970s to meet with its leaders. Upon her return, she founded the Aglow Milwaukee Community Chapter in 1972.   

Shortly thereafter, the Wisconsin South Area was established to train and support leaders eager to launch groups in their own cities.   

As Area Team Leaders, we recognize that God has entrusted us with a specific territory to oversee. Acts 17:26* reminds us that our placement here is intentional, part of His divine plan. We serve as watchmen on the walls, shifting spiritual atmospheres, extending grace, creating safe spaces for the lost to encounter Jesus, and ministering healing to the sick. Our vision is to become a body of believers that reflects God’s glory, just as the early Church did in the book of Acts. Every event should be a tangible expression of His presence because we are carriers of His Spirit.   

We are called to lead apostolically, standing on the legacy of the pioneers who came before us in Aglow International (the ministry’s name was changed in 1994). The primary mission of our Area Team is to train, encourage, and equip Lighthouse Leaders—helping them grow in their identity and impact their cities for Christ. We are also committed to establishing new Lighthouses. We walk in confidence, knowing who we are and Whose we are! Our mandate is to bring God’s Kingdom to earth, giving Him all praise, honor, and glory for what He has done.   

*Acts 17:26 – “From one man He made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”