SEATTLE, Feb. 6, 2008 – Aglow International, one of the world’s largest Christian women’s organizations, is unveiling an aggressive strategy to help turn Europe back to its Christian heritage. More than 150 Aglow leaders from nearly 40 European nations recently gathered in Budapest last weekend to launch "Operation SPEC" (Strategic Prayer for the European Continent) which calls Aglow women in Europe to help transform their nations through prayer, strategic events, teaching and evangelism.

“The Church as we knew it may be on the decline across the Continent, but there’s a strong contingent of faithful women praying and working to turn Europe back to her Christian roots,” said Jane Hansen Hoyt, president of the international ministry which operates in 172 nations. “We must consider the social, moral and political impact of a secularized Europe, and we must act to stave off such a dismaying trend.”

SPEC unites Aglow’s European leadership behind specific strategies that respond to the growing issues of secularism and anti-Semitism, as well as the Islamization of Europe. Aglow plans on building upon this new initiative at its European Summit to be held June 5–8 in Malaga, Spain, where an expected 500 to 900 Aglow members and leaders will join together with their community pastors and advisors from nearly 40 nations throughout Europe. The goal of the event is to create a unified Europe and that these women would be unified in prayer – not just as Christians from individual nations, but as one cohesive voice – calling their continent to transformation.

“God does have a destiny for Europe,” said Jervae Brooks, Aglow’s international field director. “We have great hopes for this summit and what it will begin within the continent of Europe.” Nancy McDaniel, prayer director for Aglow, agreed: “I am working with other Aglow leaders from around the world on this prayer strategy that all the nations can embrace, as we pray together for Europe. This summit will be a time to come together as an expression of mutual support, encouragement and godly unity.”

The Seattle-based organization celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, and is one of the largest international women’s organizations in the world with more than 200,000 women meeting together in 4,300 fellowship groups in 172 nations. Aglow recently opened new chapters in Iraq, Madagascar and Luxembourg and will add at least four more new nations in 2008. Each year, the interdenominational ministry serves an estimated 17 million people worldwide through prayer, evangelism, and works of compassion. Learn more at www.aglow.org.

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