2010 - A New Wine Transition

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Created on February 23, 2010

Dear Aglow Family,

The story of the water being turned into wine in John 2 represents, in its own way, a transitional time in history.  Jesus had not yet manifested Himself as the Messiah and had not revealed His glory.

When they ran out of wine at the wedding celebration, the mother of Jesus asked Him to intervene.  Evidently, she sensed a stirring in her heart in relation to the timing of this manifestation.  In fact, she encouraged the servants saying, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  She did not seem put off by her son’s quiet rebuke, “Woman what does your concern have to do with Me?  My hour has not yet come.”

However, because of Jesus’ response we know a shift had taken place in the spiritual atmosphere.  He moved seamlessly into action even though He had just told His mother, “The time is not right.”

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the water pots with water.”  And, they filled them to the brim.  Then He directed them to, “Draw some out NOW, and take it to the master of the feast.”  Can you imagine the quickening heartbeat of those servants as they watched the master of the feast taking his first taste of what they thought to be water?  The first words of the master to the bridegroom were, “You have kept the good wine until now!”

This was the beginning of the signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and hence, a transitional time in history.  Nothing would ever be the same.  In fact, we are still talking about that miracle today and considering with amazement what Jesus was able to do.  Truly, nothing has been the same since.

A Current Day Transitional Time

I believe we have been in another transitional time in history; one that began with the turning of the century.  Something shifted as we entered the year 2000.  Let me quote from my 2000 conference message.

We have entered a 3rd day season.  We are coming into a 3rd day fruitfulness that is going to astound and amaze us.    I went on to say, Every new dimension in God requires a new consecration of ourselves.  It requires a new altar.

Transitional times are tough. Transitional times can be stressful.  What we have known is going to be tested because God wants to take us to another level.  The Word says of the Israelites, “The day they ate of the new land, the old provision stopped.”

God had more for them.  Yet, the manna that had dropped daily from heaven ceased.  Adjustments were necessary.  Ways of thinking, speaking, and believing had to shift.  The land of promise, the place they had transitioned into, would be a place of milk and honey.

Come Up Higher

In the middle of a crisis there is always an invitation to go up higher. God is taking Aglow higher.  He has spoken profound prophetic words to us in many and varied ways. Yet, we find ourselves in a financial shortfall.

As it is with most ministries, the current economic climate has brought with it a downturn in donations. Aglow has had to lay off needed staff, cut costs in drastic ways, and take huge steps to reduce expenditures. As a ministry, we have always budgeted conservatively and spent carefully so that the ministry could continue to move forward in the nations God has given us. But, these past 18 months have been very difficult.

Difficult Cutbacks

Let me share with you some of the steps we have been forced to take this year and last:

• Asked the building owner to reduce our rent several thousand dollars per month
• Laid off needed staff
• Cut the salaries of the Headquarters Leadership Team
• Cut a portion of program staff positions from full time to half time
• Reduced or eliminated working funds to leaders in over 75 nations
• Cut every department’s budget, some by half.  (We already function with a very slim margin.)
• Cancelled the International Board of Directors meeting because of the expense of international travel.  Instead, we called together a committee of three on the board to make working decisions, to be approved by the full board via e-mail or conference call.

A New Wine Offering

Today, I am writing to ask if every one of you will help us fill the pots with water so that God can turn the water into wine...the best wine.   We currently need $250,000 by March 31, 2010 in order to end our fiscal year in the black.

No Ordinary Plea

We are living in extraordinary times and extraordinary measures are needed.  This is no ordinary plea.  I am asking every member, officer and friend of Aglow to help this ministry continue in the race that He has set before us.

Will you join with me in increasing your level of giving in 2010?

• Make a onetime personal gift to “fill the pot.”
• Begin or increase your monthly giving.
• Give a gift from your nation, region, area or local treasury.

Your International Board of Directors and Headquarters Leadership Team have all signified they are in unity and oneness of spirit about staying the course with what God has spoken to this ministry, and will continue to walk by faith.

Every new dimension in God requires a new consecration of ourselves.  It requires a new altar.

We know He has saved the best wine until last. In the words of Mary, Whatever He says to you, do it!

Jane Hansen Hoyt
President/CEO
Aglow International
(425) 775-7282
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