Ooorrr.. lets see.. make a copy of the text in white, put it on a layer above the text layer and make it a bit smaller than the layer below so it can't be seen around the edges. Then ramp the opacity/blur to get an animated glow.
Or there is a method for making a spotlight wash across the text, which you can use with lowered opacity and hand animation. Or use composite modes to mix in a bought one.
Or, yeah, use Livetype or Motion and save youself an hour's work