Panta Ta Ethne: Making Disciples of All Nations Stories
In October, Rich and Jane Berry, leaders of our African American Network, celebrated 40 years with The Navigators. A celebration event was held in Atlanta, Georgia with approximately 260 of their family, friends, and ministry partners. One person in attendance was Veteran NavStaff Paul Hensley (See photo of Paul and Rich) who was the first to recruit and disciple Rich.
Over these past 40 years, Rich and Jane have served in many capacities always focusing on developing disciple making leaders. Rich and Jane have followed God’
s call. They have been steadfast and tenacious in pouring out their lives to disciple and train up the next generation of African American leaders. This has been a long obedience in the same direction of building a legacy of African American leaders for the future. After 40 years, the Lord is leading Rich and Jane to take their obedience to the next level of faith in order to reach the 40 million African Americans, the nations in our nation and beyond. They are responding to the changing tide and changing face of America by launching a Legacy Fund to resource African American ministries. Rich and Jane’s message is clear: a new generation of African American men and women are needed to become our next generation of disciple making leaders.
Ohana Gathering 2010
by Tom Steers (co-director Asian American Ministries)
God continues to astonish Asian American Ministries. At the annual Ohana Gathering of leaders in Seattle one after another, the co-laborers of AAM shared how GOD was using them to fulfill The Navigator calling:
• Francis shared how he experienced frustration and absolutely no fruit in East Asia for his first two years. When he started helping in his father's company, it was in the red: a real mess. But in time, with prayer and by faith, God has started to spiritually transform his family. Then, suddenly, the family business is in the black with a number of contracts to be fulfilled.
• The second night Ken Kong described how the Good News is slowly flowing from Cambodian Americans into their extended families in Cambodia. Southeast Asian Americans who once fled their countries, or were born from parents, who fled, are now being raised up by God to focus on their natural family network in the country of their origin.
• Brothers, Abu from Texas, and Raj from Vancouver BC, told the riveting story of how they became followers of Christ as Hindus. Their mother threatened to commit suicide when she found out it happen. But, by God's grace, after more than 30 years she came to faith, as well as most of the family. Their story of waiting patiently and prayerfully was so helpful to those in our Ohana who have parents and relatives who are Hindus, Buddhists, Shintos, Animists, etc.
• George, long-term Nav partner in Thailand, also shared story after story of how the Good News can be good news to Buddhists. George has to rethink every word he communicates about the Good News. As a result, God has even used George to open up Bible reading and study at two Buddhist seminaries in Thailand. Buddhist monks want to know more about Jesus! Many others are responding, too.
More stories, teaching, and encouragement came from Navigator national and international leaders. Also, special acknowledgement was made to the Philippine Navs for their Kingdom contribution to the birthing and development of Asian American Ministries. Their redemptive Kingdom values on 'relationships' have been God's inspiration for Asian American Ministries.
Native American Youth Ministry
by Tom Johnson (serving both as NavStaf and a High School Teacher on the Rez)
Do you ever identify with the grumbling and lack of faith exhibited by the Israelites as the Lord redeemed them from bondage? I do. I recently had the privilege of traveling from Chinle, AZ on the Navajo Nation to the University of Arizona with five Native American students interested in pursuing a college degree. During the 8-hour drive, I asked God the question “what significant impact can a weekend trip possibly have on these kids?” I asked this question as if the Lord hadn’t already proven his faithfulness to me a thousand times.
It is not particularly difficult to understand how a group of God’s chosen people can become quickly disillusioned when life’s challenges seem to press in on every side. The obstacles facing Native American students growing up on a reservation are daunting. Economic poverty, cultural differences and educational disadvantages all seem to contribute to the surprisingly high attrition rate of first year Native American college students. that also describes the concept of extended family and relationships.
The Native American Indian Discipleship Ministries (NAIDM) team embarked on our second annual trip to the U of A with the intent of exposing high school students from “the Rez” to the campus environment. More importantly, we purposed to connect them with a network of believers. Our partnership with the U of A Navigators Collegiate Ministry has been pivotal in this respect, fostering relationships through periodic collaborative events both on and off of the reservation. Highlights from the weekend included a devotional on Psalm 73 led by Bryce Bouchard, a campus tour led by Sylvia Islas, a time of sharing at the Native American Student Affairs building, the U of A “Nav night,” and a Navajo taco dinner outreach co-hosted by the Collegiate Navigator Native students.
Watching our students become quickly united with the existing fellowship was immensely encouraging. In stark contrast to my human doubt was the amazing faithfulness demonstrated by God. It was clear that the Lord intended “great and mighty things” to happen during the short trip. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 and the promise it holds for those who are in Christ Jesus.One week later, I asked one of the attendees, a high school junior named Krystina, whether or not the events of the previous weekend were still having an impact on her life. Her countenance lit up as she shared that she was working hard to bring up her grades and that God was her companion and inspiration. I have no doubt that our Lord will be faithful to see her through.
