Think Differently
As Dutch Sheets spoke in 2021 at the Reset Conference in Orlando, FL, USA, (watch conference messages on the Aglow International YouTube channel), he said that new beginnings are coming and we must think differently. We must take what we have known and who we know ourselves to be and take it to a higher place.
Dutch went on to say that “Aglow may be literally used by God to transform nations”. Think of that! God has placed Aglow with great purpose in the nations of the world. He has positioned us geographically and spiritually that we might be a governing apostolic hub or center that will bring Heaven to earth for that community, that nation. The plans He has for us are MIGHTY!
Dutch also said that Aglow is mantled with a fresh anointing of wisdom and revelation and that we will see extraordinary miracles. Are you walking with that expectancy? He said that Aglow is a company of worshipping warriors who live for God and long to see Him glorified and exalted. Again, he repeated, you must think differently.
In 2003, in Jane Hansen Hoyt’s conference message, she quoted from Isaiah 43, speaking of a shift,
Behold, I will do a new thing, NOW it shall spring forth: shall you not know it? We know that we are in a major shift. We know that we are being positioned for the days ahead…There is a contention to get where God wants us to be as a ministry, and you have been experiencing it personally. There is a contention to advance…. For God is remolding, refashioning the vessel, and as He moves within the individual, He does so then corporately, to get us where He wants us to be for the race that is set before us.
From the very beginnings of Aglow, God has not allowed us to settle into a certain way of doing things. His hand has always been in our backs, propelling us to advance and grow so that we will arrive prepared for the race that is set before us.
The Aglow Lighthouse is God’s gift to the community. Not only do we provide a place to grow spiritually, for women and men to receive Christ and the infilling of Holy Spirit; we prepare a place that showcases the Presence of God for all to experience transformation.
Aglow has grown from our early beginnings where we were more pastoral, to a movement with an apostolic/prophetic mindset. What does this mean? Let’s look at something that Barbara Yoder said during her message at the 2003 Aglow International Conference where she gave the following points about groups that have a pastoral mindset.
A group/church that has a pastoral mindset:
- Is focused on the individual.
- Keeps everything small because it can only care about so many people.
- Has a focus on the group and not the outside world.
- Is maintenance-oriented.
- Lives in the present, but they are always dealing with the past.
- Focus is more on the past than the future.
- Does not like to stir up or cause controversy.
- Usually, questions every action of the leader.
- During times of warfare or controversy, they take defensive stances.
- Knows how to care for people, but not lead them forward.
Barbara made this strong statement, A church or group that has a pastoral mindset has turned into a hospital for sick people rather than an armory to train people for war…. We are shifting from what we call a pastoral mindset to an apostolic mindset.
In Acts 15:16, James mentions that God will raise up the tabernacle of David. We think of that as worship and prayer being raised up, but it is actually greater than that. David’s house is the apostolic house of God. It is a house that establishes God’s Kingdom here on earth.
In the last 20 years, there has been a concerted upgrade taking place that has been moving the Body of Christ out of a local church mindset to an apostolic/prophetic mindset. Aglow has made that shift!
What does an apostolic/prophetic mindset look like? Not only does it keep the ground it has taken, it takes new ground. This mindset has the vision to break through opposition and establish an atmosphere that opens the way for the move of God that is ever unfolding.
Part of the calling on Aglow is to establish local groups in each town and village around the world. These groups will know how to bring Heaven to earth and establish God’s Kingdom on earth. These groups will always think about how they can establish an atmosphere over their town that opens the way for the move of God that is ever unfolding.
Barbara went on to say, “Aglow is made up of women and men who have been apprehended by the purposes of God. Aglow is called to be a force on the earth. The apostolic perspective is corporate, and it is visionary. It is advancing, it is moving forward. The apostolic church is the church that releases the Kingdom of God on earth. Where the Kingdom of God is, demons leave, the sick are healed, the people are taught, and the preaching of the Gospel goes forth. When the Kingdom of God comes, every other kingdom has to move out of the way.”
