History

To have a clearer understanding of National Women’s Ministries, you need to know the history of the Assemblies of God. We are a Fellowship that has been richly blessed by God’s power and grace.

To have a clearer understanding of AG Women, you need to know the history of the Assemblies of God. We are a Fellowship that has been richly blessed by God’s power and grace.

Our founders were committed to reaching the world for Christ, which explains why missions has always been a major focus within the Fellowship. This rich heritage founded on biblical principles continues to touch the hearts of men and women around the world.

Following the pattern set by the Early Church at Pentecost (see Acts 1 and 2), Christians at the turn of the 20th century experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Pockets of revival began to spread throughout the United States initiating the modern Pentecostal Movement.

Leaders within this Movement came together and established the General Council of the Assemblies of God in 1914 and later came to an agreement on sixteen biblical fundamental truths which remain the foundational tenets of our Fellowship to this day.

For more information about the Assemblies of God, visit ag.org.

The History of AG Women:

Eleven years after the formation of the Assemblies of God, women within the Fellowship began to seek ways they could become involved in ministry. In 1925, Etta Calhoun organized a group of women for intercessory prayer in Houston, Texas. Originally meeting for intercessory prayer for missionaries, the women quickly found practical ways to provide support. The group became the first Women’s Missionary Council, the forerunner of today’s AG Women.

Ministry to women has continued to grow across the United States and in other countries. The following is an overview of the development of AG Women from 1925 to present.

National Women’s Ministries Historical Timeline:

1925 - 1969

1925
Etta Calhoun forms the first Women’s Missionary Council (WMC) in Houston, Texas.

1925-1927
District Women’s Missionary Councils organize in other regions throughout the Texas-New Mexico District.

1938
The first District Women’s Missionary Council convenes with the District Council in Harlingen, Texas.

1947
The Pentecostal Evangel reports on the organized Women’s Missionary Council groups’ numerous activities across the nation and overseas.

1951
The Women’s Missionary Council is recognized as a national organization by the General Council.

1952
Edith Whipple Clevenger is appointed the first national Women’s Ministries director (1952–1960).

1957
The Etta Calhoun Missions Fund is established. WMC Slant, a quarterly magazine for leaders, begins publication.

1960
The Library Fund is established to provide books for missions Bible schools. Mildred Smuland serves as national Women's Ministries director (1960–1971).

1967
The first edition of the WMC Leader is published.

1969
Combined Women's Ministries and Missionettes membership is 100,400.

1970 - 1999

1972
Goldia Anderson is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (1972–1975).

1974
Joy Fellowship, an evangelism outreach ministry, is formed.

1975
Women's Missionary Council changes its name to Women’s Ministries, reflecting a broader range of ministries.

1976
Elva Hoover serves as national Women’s Ministries director (1976–1985).

1977
Woman’s Touch, a bimonthly magazine for all women, succeeds WMC Slant.

1979
Combined Women’s Ministries and Missionettes contributions exceed $5 million annually.

1982
Women’s Ministries and Missionettes combined giving reaches $6.5 million.

1985
Sandra Clopine is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (1985–1994).

1987
Aggregate giving to Assemblies of God ministries reaches $125 million in thirty-six years.

1993
Women’s Ministries Leader is revised.

1994
Peggy Musgrove is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (1994–1998).

Combined Women’s Ministries and Missionettes annual giving reaches $10.4 million.

1998
The first National Women’s Ministries/Missionettes Leadership Seminar is held for district and sectional leaders.

Combined annual giving of Women’s Ministries and Missionettes exceeds $15.4 million; aggregate giving to Assemblies of God ministries reaches $250 million in forty-seven years. “Women Touching the World” is introduced.

The “Touch the World Fund” is established to impact the lives of women and children around the world.

Lillian Sparks is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (1998–2003).

2000 - 2009

2000
Women’s Ministries Training Manual is revised to become Leadership Guide for Successfully Ministering to Women. Combined annual giving of Women’s Ministries and Missionettes exceeds $16 million.

2001
Joy Fellowship changes its name to Event Evangelism. Encourages each church to choose its own name for their outreach ministry. Resource Guide with one hundred ministry ideas introduced; Program Plans for Event Evangelism introduced.

2002
Snuff Out Cancer prayer ministry introduced. Touch with Hope ministry to single moms introduced.

2003
Arlene Allen is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (2003-2010).

2004
Giving totals reach $13 million.

First of four studies released in the Bible Studies for Today’s Pentecostal Woman series.

2005
Woman’s Touch receives Evangelical Press Association’s Award of Merit.

Women’s Ministries celebrates 80th anniversary.

2006
Woman’s Touch transitions to the Webzine WTOnline. Style Ministry Packet is introduced.

2007
First issue of All About Moms magazine is introduced, as a gift for pastors to give to the women of their congregations for Mother's Day. First issue of Side by Side, magazine for pastors’ wives, introduced.

2008
First edition of Ministering to Women was provided to every Assemblies of God church, as an annual resource magazine, outlining the annual theme, and resources for ministry to women.

2009
National Women’s Ministries renamed National Women’s Department, reflecting a focus on ministry to every woman, rather than a monthly meeting. “For Every Woman” brand/logo introduced.

Secrets: Transforming Your Life and Marriage by Kerry Clarensau, released as our first women’s Bible study with DVD and Internet components.

2010 - 2019

2010
Women.ag.org renovated into three levels of resources, including online ministry training for women in English and Spanish.

2011
Kerry Clarensau is appointed National Women’s Ministries Director (2011-2016).

Kerry authors Love Revealed: Experiencing God’s Authentic Love.

Giving by women 1951-2011 (60-year history) reaches $398,823,820.

2012
Kerry Clarensau authors Redeemed!: Embracing a Transformed Life.

2013
Facebook group, Twitter, and Pinterest introduced for AG Women.

Her Green Room, an online community for ministry wives (at hergreenroom.com), was launched at a live event at General Council, Orlando, Florida.

2014
The Jesus-Hearted Woman, by Jodi Detrick, was the theme book, to coordinate with the theme, “A Heart to Know Me.”

During the Assemblies of God Centennial Celebration in August, in Springfield, MO, we recognized the work that women have accomplished for the Kingdom of God, and established a Facebook group for former district Women’s Ministries Directors.

2015
A Beautiful Life: Discovering the Freedom of Selfless Love, by Kerry Clarensau, is released as the theme book, with ancillary products. The theme is: “A Beautiful Life,” with the theme Scripture, “Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22).

2016
The theme for this year is “Selah—finding rest for your soul.” The book Rhythms of Grace, by Kerri Weems, is the study for this year. Kerry Clarensau wrote the Selah: 21-Day Devotional to accompany the study book.

Kay Burnett is appointed National Women’s Ministries Director.

2017
“Live Fully” is the theme for 2017. The book, Fully His: Making the Life God Offers Your Own by Kerry Clarensau, is the study for this year.

Women.ag.org launches an all-new look and content.

Her Green Room ministry to ministry wives, led by Kay Burnett, hosted Carol Cymbala and daughter Chrissy Toledo as special guest speakers at a luncheon for ministry wives at the 2017 General Council in Anaheim, California.

2018
National Women’s Ministries theme for this year is “On a Voyage.” The study book for this year is Voyage: Trusting Jesus in Uncharted Waters by Kay Burnett.

Karlene Gannon, a longtime employee of National Women’s Ministries, retired July 31 after 45 years of faithful service as the National Women’s Ministries Missions and Ministries Coordinator.

2019
The theme for this year for National Women’s Ministries is ”Adored by the God Who Sees Me.” The theme is taken from Genesis 16:13, where Hagar declares God’s name to be "El Roi,” meaning “You are the God who sees me.”

The theme book for this year is Adored by the God Who Sees Me, by Kerry Clarensau and Kay Burnett—to explore ways that God is mending, healing, strengthening, and commissioning women of every background, age, culture, and station in life.

National Women's Department renamed AG Women.

Light the Way missions project is established to "unite women around the cause of missions giving for the victimized and marginalized."

2020

The theme for the beginning year of this decade is “Entrusted with Treasure,” with the theme verse, “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14, NASB).

Kay Burnett, AG Women National Director, wrote the theme book based on the life of Daniel of the Old Testament. The book title is Trustworthy: a Study of the Life and Character of Daniel.

The year 2020 is historic in terms of a worldwide coronavirus pandemic that shut down nations and communities, as people everywhere sheltered in place. Many people became sick with the virus, and thousands lost their lives. Many churches and ministries began new or transformed ministry online during unprecedented times.