Aglow started in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands by a group of American Christian women residing there. They had received first-hand knowledge/ information of the impact of the Aglow ministry on the main land of USA, and excitement and hunger grew for their spiritual growth, so they held a meeting and started a chapter and by Nov, 1976, it was affiliated. Another chapter was formed in Bermuda in 1977, then Guyana in 1980 after two (2) women attended an Aglow conference in USA, followed by Trinidad and Tobago in1982 by Lena Nicholson, after she, too travelled to USA, Belize in 1982, Sint Maarten, 1983, and the Bahamas in 1984 by Dr. Susan Wallace. Chapters were also formed in Barbados (1984), Antigua, St. Croix (1985), Aruba, Jamaica, Grand Cayman (1986), Haiti, Curacao, St. Lucia (1987), Grenada and Montserrat (1988) and Anguilla (1989). In the 1990’s and 2000’s Aglow ministry continued to spread in other nations, namely, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Turks and Caicos Islands (1990), Puerto Rico (1992), Dominican Republic (1994), British Virgin Island: Tortola (1995), Suriname (1997), Cuba (1999), Martinique (2013 unaffiliated).

Today, Aglow is active in 27 of the 33 nations of the Caribbean and the majority of these nations have more than one chapter/lighthouse with some having as much as 10-20 lighthouses with several candlelight groups. There are some 82 affiliated lighthouses, a number of unaffiliated and several candlelight groups. Also, there are six (6) Generations groups (1 in The Bahamas, (2012 affiliated),1 in Trinidad and Tobago (2018 affiliated), 1 in Dominican Republic (2013) and 3 in Haiti (2010) unaffiliated), as well as 4 Men of Issachar groups (1 in Haiti (2016 affiliated), 1 in Trinidad (2020 affiliated), I in Tobago (2011 affiliated) and 1 in Turks and Caicos (2019) unaffiliated.

Evolution of Aglow International Caribbean Regional Structure and Leadership

Elise Tittle had started an Aglow chapter in the early seventies in Oregon, USA and was closely connected with Aglow leadership at Aglow headquarters, Seattle Washington, USA and was in close communication with them. During an interview (May 2016) with her, she stated that, in 1980, she and her family decided to relocate to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and started a Bed and Breakfast there. She had such love for Aglow and further stated that the Lord showed her, that prayer would be the network to bring the Caribbean together, which she earnestly did and after attending one of St. Thomas chapter monthly meeting and learning that Aglow had started to spread through the Caribbean, she was joyful for answered prayer. She frequently communicated with Aglow leadership at headquarters in Seattle,

Washington, USA and provided updates on what was happening in the Caribbean. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed in 1980 by Aglow International leadership to the position as 1st International Director for the Caribbean, and served for 10 years. (1980-1990). As growth of Aglow continued in the Caribbean, by 1986, Lena Nicholson, who had started Aglow in Trinidad and Tobago and established many chapters there as well, was appointed as the first Outreach Chairman for the Caribbean to assist Elise, mainly with the nations in eastern and southern areas and by 1989, Dr. Susan Wallace, who started Aglow in the Bahamas and also President of the Northern Caribbean Area board at that time, was asked to also serve as Outreach Chairman (1989-1990), to assist Elise with nations under northern area. She further stated the years that she, Lena and Sue worked together as a team, they saw many miracles and growth in the spiritual lives of those they ministered to, as well as themselves. She closed by saying, that those 10 years she served in the Aglow in the Caribbean, “was the highlight of my life”. She retired in 1990 and later returned to her home town in Oregon, USA.

In 1990, Lena Nicholson, whom we refer to as, “the mother of Aglow in the Caribbean, became the 2nd International Director for the Caribbean, a position she held from 1990- 1993. During this period, there was tremendous growth with new nations joining Aglow and the establishment of many chapters/lighthouses in different nations. Women accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord, received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, some were delivered, healed and many grew spiritually, started to attend retreats and conferences locally, regionally and internationally. Women, later helped to transform their homes and local churches they attended and held community outreaches among other activities. Dr. Susan Wallace served with Lena in a new position, as Assistant Outreach Director for the Caribbean from 1990-1993 and no longer serving as Northern Caribbean Area Board President. Together, they, being guided by the Holy Spirit, continued to travel to those nations and worked tirelessly to carry on the work of the Aglow ministry.

In 1993, Susan Wallace, replaced Lena and became the 3rd International Outreach Director for the Caribbean (1993-1995) and was also responsible for nations under the northern area. Leadership at Aglow headquarters saw that the Caribbean needed more persons to serve at national leadership after Lena’s departure and so, three (3) Aglow leaders from the Area board level were appointed as National Assistants to serve with Sue to oversee the Caribbean, namely, Annette Coombs (Trinidad and Tobago) for nations under the southern area, Dr. Hazel Salmon (Jamaica) for nations in the central area and Hillis Elden (St. Thomas) for the nations in the eastern area. By 1996, The Caribbean Regional Committee was formed and it was comprised of now four (4) National Directors for each of the four (4) Caribbean areas. Sue took on the position as the first Chairman/chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Committee (1996-1997) and National Director of the Northern Caribbean Area, while Annette (Southern Caribbean Area: 1996-2010), Hillis (Eastern Caribbean Area: 1996-1999) and Hazel (Central Caribbean Area: 1996-1999).

By 31st Dec. 1997, Sue resigned and Jan,1998, Annette Coombs became the next Chairman/chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Committee and National Director of Southern Caribbean area. Hilda Douglas replaced Sue as National Director of the Northern Caribbean area (Jan. 1998 – Dec. 2017), serving with the other two regional committee members, and over time, the regional team was assisted by three (3) National Assistants to help with the work in assigned areas.

The Caribbean Regional Committee continued to build on the foundational work that was already laid down and the new mission statement and new mandates (Israel, Islamic, Male and Female reconciliation) that were outlined. They were strategically carried out, with the expansion of other support ministries (prayer, transformation, community outreaches, Aim, prison ministry and so on) that were incorporated in the ongoing activities of the ministry. It was an even more exciting time to be a part of this wonderful ministry. Annette served in this position for 13 years and retired Dec. 2010.

Hilda Douglas was appointed as Chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Committee (Jan,2011), as well as National Director for the Northern Caribbean area and served with 3 other National Directors on the team assisted by National Assistants. Of note, as National Directors and National Assistants resigned their positions, new persons were appointed to serve and carry on the work. They were as follows:

Blossom Lynch (Jamaica): National Assistant:1998-1999, National Director:2000-2003, Majorie Lester (Jamaica): National Assistant:2002-2012, Eileen Clemetson (Jamaica): National Director:2004 – Apr,2018, Kathleen Richardson (Anguilla): National Director: 2000- Apr.2018, Ethel Jackson (Anguilla): National Assistant:2008-2012, Cassilda Van-der Neut (Sint Maarten): National Assistant: 2014-Apr,2018, Paula Morgan (Trinidad and Tobago): National Assistant:2000-2003, Joyce Prevatt (Trinidad and Tobago): National Assistant:2004-2010, National Director:2011- Apr,2018 and Margaret Ann George (Trinidad and Tobago): National Assistant:2011- Apr,2018.

By 2011, what was happening now in Aglow was even more HUGE. Aglow had already become an apostolic kingdom movement, in which there were new possibilities to explore and new doors to be opened. More focus was being placed on being in “His Presence” and not so much on functionality or being task-driven. We were operating in “a new mindset and in a new wine skin”. An intentional and radical transformation was taking place. We, in Aglow, individually and corporately were now being called to operate in our TRUE IDENTITY and put away the old mind set and begin to walk in the fullness of who Christ is in us and we in Him. We became Life Changers and Game Changers. Our vision has more focused and purpose-driven, our mission revised, our mandate and foundational pillars of prayer and evangelism remained and were strengthen. More and more, we knew that God’s kingdom must come on earth in us and others, as it is in heaven.

In this season, we see ourselves as champions and warriors, as giant killers, having air supremacy, while the intentional transformation, as His bride is taking place in this set time, to now be the Ecclesia throughout our nations. As visionaries, we have been chosen to propel the kingdom of God forward and we are doing all of this in many tangible ways. We have received more and more of His grace, which enables us to do the work of Aglow wherever we are, be it at an Aglow monthly or business meeting, at international or regional conferences or retreats, during community outreaches, in a parking lot, a food store, at a mall, a beauty salon, in a bank, working with hurricane victim, during this Covid 19 pandemic and so on. Everywhere “God’s Presence” is evident, we take the Holy Spirit lead and carryout our kingdom assignments. New lighthouses are being established and those that are inactive are being revitalized. New Generation groups and Men of Issachar groups are on the rise. Capital Prayer and other forms of prayer are strategically implemented. The Aglow support ministries are being performed. Persons are receiving salvation, healings, deliverance and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. We are engaged in community outreaches and so on. But, we continue remain focused on the vision and mission of Aglow ministry and open and enter new doors. We maximize our potentials, press on and never stop because we must touch every nation, we must change every heart.

The Aglow Caribbean Region underwent further restructuring/re-organization by IBOD, so as to become more in alignment with organizational structure within the other Aglow regions, so in April 2018, the Caribbean Regional Committee was dissolved, as well as the Area boards for Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. The region is now served by a Caribbean Regional Board (Apr,2018) with three (3) National Committees and two (2) National Directors. The present six (6) regional board positions and members are: Regional President: Hilda Douglas, (Team Leader), President of Trinidad and Tobago National Committee: Joyce Prevatt, (oversees nations in southern areas), President of Cuba National Committee: Cecelia Hamilton, ( oversees all of Cuba), President of Jamaica National Committee: Eileen Clemetson (oversee nations in central area), National Director for Northern Caribbean area: Phyllis Thompson (oversees nations in the northern area) and National Director for Eastern Caribbean area: Cassilda Van der Neut (oversees nations in the eastern area). The Caribbean Regional Board members gives oversight to the region and is assisted by the leadership of two (2) National Coordinators, (Guyana and Suriname) with the five (6) remaining Area boards, namely Bahamas, Barbados, St. Thomas, Anguilla/ Sint Maarten, Dominican Republic and Haiti and the many national, area and local lighthouse leaders and members, inclusive of Generation and Men of Issachar group leaders and members. Joyce Prevatt retired as President of Trinidad and Tobago National Committee, early June 2020 and Margaret Ann George took on the presidency later in June, 2020.

The Aglow Caribbean region continues to grow and effectively carryout the vision and mission of the ministry throughout the nations. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 during its 17th Biennial Caribbean Regional conference in Trinidad and Tobago. We are indeed humbled, honored and blessed to be part of such a Spirit-led movement. The journey continues for us to propel the Kingdom of God forward and against this background, we focus even more intentionally on those six (6) Caribbean nations without Aglow’s presence, as they are presently being targeted, namely, Bonaire (Dutch), Saba (Dutch), Sint Eustatius (Dutch), Saint Martin (French), Guadeloupe (French) and Saint Barthelemy (French).

We are encouraged though, as Eph 3:20 overcomers, which says that, we can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Let us together work that power, so that we can do more to advance God’s kingdom. It’s the right time.

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