Listening & Learning

Navigator leaders left New York City as changed people and with a unified commitment to broaden the ministry's impact across multiethnic America

One of the most unique and important "retreats" in the history of The Navigators took place last fall: Building Bridges. From October 28 to November 1, 2000, some 120 Navigator leaders from across the nation converged upon New York City to examine the issue of ethnic diversity.

"When you come to New York City, you must come with the mindset of an intercultural missionary," says the Rev. Robert Johansson, pastor of the Evangel Church in Queens, New York, in whose church 82 nations are represented. "Think about it as if you were going to another country. Listen, learn, observe, serve, and love."

Navigator leaders stayed in the New York School of Urban Ministry in Queens. In addition to hearing from local pastors and ministry leaders, they visited ethnic churches throughout the five boroughs. Navigators sought the Lord to speak to them individually and as an organization. He answered by piercing hearts and paving the way for an expanded, inclusive outreach.

Many of the participants used a special journal distributed at the outset of the conference to record what God was saying to them personally while in New York. Here, three participants-Edie Vega, Jim Kennedy, and Peter Udall-share from their journals what God impressed upon them during the retreat, plus updates of what's happening in their lives and ministries since.

One thing for sure, Navigator leaders left New York City as changed people and with a unified commitment to broaden the ministry's impact across multiethnic America.


EDIE VEGA
Today was a day of "roots, relationships, and results." All of us went to a variety of ethnic churches today, and César and I got to visit a church that our parents helped to start years ago. It was originally a Puerto Rican church, but today the congregation is truly multiethnic: Asians, Indians, Islanders, Anglos, African Americans, and Hispanics. Our hearts were touched by reconnecting with our spiritual heritage-our roots!

Because we serve in the Hispanic ministry of The Navigators, people might think our ministry is not very multicultural. But, in fact, we are ministering to and with people from Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru, and elsewhere. We returned from New York feeling encouraged, affirmed, and better understood.

My husband, César, and I were thrilled to be able to visit three churches in New York that our mothers and my aunt had helped get started. Seeing God at work there has given us fresh motivation in our ministry.

We recently attended a missions conference along with fellow Navigators. They commented on the significance of Building Bridges, even though they had not been there. We were happy to see that some of the effects of the retreat had already "trickled down" to the grassroots ministry!

Another contribution of Building Bridges is the ongoing healing of people who have been hurt or marginalized. It is encouraging whenever people come through a healing process and experience a greater intimacy with God and fruitful ministry in His service!

JIM KENNEDY
It is a privilege to hear what [Pastor] Walter Wilson and our other speakers are saying to us... what they are feeling, how they have been hurt, why trust is not easy. They are being open, honest, vulnerable . . . giving us the opportunity to think and feel with them. They are trusting us with many of their innermost thoughts and feelings . . . I came here thinking that I am racially unbiased. But I have seen that I tend to make broad judgments about people without really understanding their situations or circumstances.

I had the radio on while traveling in the car recently. The station announced a program that was going to highlight upcoming events in the African-American community. Since I thought this wasn't relevant to me, I turned the station. Then it hit me: Wait a minute! This is an opportunity to become aware of and informed about such matters! So I immediately switched back to the original station and listened to what was happening in the local African-American community. This is one of several incidents where I noticed I was putting into practice some of the things I had learned in New York.

When the staff of The Navigators' Business & Professional Ministries gathered recently in Dallas, we had a meal and meeting at "Smoky John's," a barbecue restaurant owned by John Reeves. John shared with us how he makes disciples in the African-American business world. His insight, experience, and vision were truly fascinating and a great ministry to us.

Not long ago, I was in a city where one of our ethnic ministry staff members lives. In the past, I probably would not have tried to get together-not wanting to impose on his time, thinking he was too busy. But this time I decided to try. I was able to get together with him and his wife. Our relationship grew, and I have a greater "heart" for what they are doing because of some time that was invested together.

PETER UDALL
I am learning a great deal. I didn't realize how Native Americans experienced a "holocaust" of their own-a population of 12 million dwindling to 237,000! Also, several of the speakers have helped me see that, even though I may not be committing or promoting injustice, I have nevertheless benefited from such injustices in the past . . . I have been thinking about our Nav offices in Colorado Springs. They do not adequately reflect the ethnic mix of the community. What can I do? God wants me to be responsible in applying what I am learning in practical ways.

In New York, God impressed me with the need to do more, and we have been busy taking some initial steps to address some of the ethnic diversity needs in our National Services Ministry. Some of the NSM team leaders have begun visiting ethnic churches to build better relationships with ethnic ministry leaders and communities.

God burdened my heart to get to know the people and ministries in the Colorado Springs area, so I am participating in an ongoing Community Round Table that gives me a greater connection to a number of social service agencies. We're learning more about volunteering opportunities, and we donated our old office furniture to several of these local ethnic agencies.

On a personal note, I came back from New York thinking, Where do I start? Is there a relationship I can deepen? Because of the Community Round Table, I was aware of the "Destiny Project," a youth ministry led by an African-American couple, Rex and Vickie Tonkins. We are getting to know each other better and are looking into how The Navigators could provide job shadowing and mentoring opportunities for people in their ministry. I sponsored a table at their annual fundraising banquet so that some of the Nav managers could attend, and I want to also sponsor Rex at one of our Navigator fundraising schools. All that to say, God is helping me to get started in a variety of ways.

The Navigators Board of Directors
Statement of Affirmation

Recognizing our biblical mandate to make disciples among all peoples, we as a Board unanimously and enthusiastically affirm the direction and the initiatives of the U.S. Leadership for the embracing, empowering, and engaging of the ethnic minorities in our great task of advancing the Gospel to all the peoples of our culture.