Michelle Mather - Aglow Finance DirectorMy family migrated from Vancouver, B.C. Canada when I was 5 years old – just in time to start kindergarten at Edmonds Elementary School. Growing up just behind the “baby boomers generation,” our class had the distinct honor of being the last class to graduate from both Edmonds Elementary and Edmonds Jr. High School. Both of these buildings (Frances Anderson Center and Edmonds Center for the Arts) are now listed on the Register of Historical Buildings in Edmonds Washington ~ and are also just a few blocks from our Aglow International headquarters.
I have been Aglow International’s Accountant since 1998. In 2013, I also became Finance Director. When I heard the advertisement on one of our local Christian radio stations, I knew, without a doubt, it was a calling from the Lord. I have been blessed in so many ways working at Aglow HQ throughout these years, but it has also included some mixed emotions. Being an accountant requires many hours behind closed doors without much available time to form relationships with so many beautiful members of Aglow over these last 24 years. This is precisely why I have felt beyond blessed, in these last few years, to be working closely with our U.S. Directors and forming relationships and connections that have been missed in past years.
In the early 1970s, my Mom went to Aglow meetings in Edmonds so I’ve been aware of Aglow since almost the beginning. I was raised at Edmonds Holy Rosary Catholic Church and was quite involved in the Charismatic Movement, and healing ministries, and later completed Stephen Ministry training. I am grateful for all I learned and experienced in all my involvement with the church. I began a deeper, more personal, relationship with Jesus while I was involved with Young Life in my high school years, but I feel fortunate to have felt His presence, callings and guidance since I was a small child. The Lord has blessed me with dreams and visions throughout my lifetime. I love how much I have been able to “fine-tune” these skills (especially my hearing) throughout my career at Aglow.
I have two grown children and both of their families live nearby. My son, Chad, is the father to my first grandchild, John (3 ½.) We’ve recently begun spending more time together, especially enjoying our singing and dance times! We’ve been making up for some lost time after they spent his first 2 ½ years living in Anchorage, Alaska. My daughter, Amy, is due to give birth to my 2nd grandchild any day now. I’m filled with excitement to have another grand, especially nearby, and I’m so ready to experience a continual relationship from the start! We are all filled with anticipation as part of the excitement will be finding out whether this will be a new grandson or granddaughter. Either way, my heart is filled with love and gratitude for each member of my family and I thank God for all of His great rewards!
As you’ve probably noticed, we have been searching for a new employee for the finance department since September 2020. While it’s been disappointing to have waited so long for “God’s timing” for this much-needed help, He has been faithful to show us creative ways to continue to move forward; sent blessings that would not have happened without this great dependence on Him to make a way, and it has helped us to build up our Ministry Services team (Finance/Operations/HR) with a cohesiveness and unity that could only be formed through such a time as this! We do, however, continue to pray that He will send His hand-picked, new member of this team any day now!