Our History

The History of the Assemblies of God

To have a clearer understanding of 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. 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.

Evangelism and discipleship have always been foundational objectives of the Assemblies of God. Consequently, Assemblies of God missionaries, spurred by the Holy Spirit, have carried the light of the gospel to the farthest reaches of the globe.

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

The History of Women’s Ministries

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 Women’s Ministries.

Women’s Ministries has continued to organize across the United States and in other countries. Along the way, revisions have been made. However, the primary purpose of Women’s Ministries to reach the world for Jesus has never changed. The following is an overview of the development of Women’s Ministries from 1925 to present.

Women's Ministries Historical Timeline

1925	Etta Calhoun forms the first Women’s Missionary Council (WMC) in Houston, Texas.
1925-1927	District Women’s Missionary Councils organize in twenty-seven districts
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.
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 he world.
	Lillian Sparks is appointed national Women’s Ministries director (1998–2003).
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-)
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 EPA Award of Merit.
	Women’s Ministries celebrates 80th anniversary.
2006	Woman’s Touch transitions to the Web-zine WTOnline.
	Style Ministry Packet is introduced.