Around the Ministry
 “Won’t you be my neighbor?” TV’s Mr. Rogers understood the power of the neighborhood, and Navigators Ed and Page Cvelich do as well. For two years, they have lived in Apex, North Carolina, and ministered 35 miles away in Durham’s Walltown neighborhood. This fall, they purchased property and began construction on a new house in the heart of Walltown so they could live in the center of this community.  They join Navigator Bahari Harris, who already lives in Walltown. He started Urban Hope, a youth outreach, three years ago. “No one likes to be someone’s project,” says Ed. “But we all like to be considered someone’s friend. "We have been commuting to tutor in the after-school program and attend church biweekly. This has been viewed as a valuable service. "However, we are seen by many residents as just another couple in a long line of ‘do-gooders’ who volunteer in the community for a while. “As homeowners, our economic wellbeing will be tied up with theirs,” adds Ed. “Neighbors learn from each other and watch out for each other. ” To learn more about the Cvelichs’ ministry, you can write them at cvelich@b2g.org. |
The mission grew out of the passion of its founder, Dr. Richard Patterson, a dentist who traveled to Africa and South America in the ’60s and ’70s to conduct dental clinics. He and his wife, Marilyn, wanted to share the Good News of Jesus while treating physical pain and suffering. Before long, they saw the need for broader community outreach. With the help of others who shared this vision, Dick Patterson established M:MM in 1979 and set up its international office in Minneapolis.  About eight years ago, Navigator Bruce VanWyk, who worked in Kenya for 10 years, was invited to join M:MM’s board. “As I sat in meetings, I sensed a lot of duplication between the two missions,” he says. The Lord began nudging Bruce to suggest that M:MM minister with The Navigators. Around this time, Navigator leaders in the United States and Africa sensed a calling to become more involved in reaching the poor of the world. By joining with M:MM, The Navigators can draw on the group’s 25 years of experience in this field, and M:MM will benefit from The Navigators’ expertise in discipleship and its capacity as a larger organization. The ministry, which will formally merge with The Navigators on January 1, 2007, will be called “Mission: Moving Mountains—A Ministry Initiative of The Navigators.” Rod Beidler, director of The Navigators’ U.S. International Ministries Group, says, “Our desire is that the M:MM ministry grow and flourish in impoverished communities throughout Africa, and as God leads, in other parts of the world.” For more on M:MM history and the merger, go to www.movingmountains.org. |
 Football, American football, can be a confusing sport.  Fumbles, downs, punts, receivers—it has a language
all its own. For international students wanting to learn about this
aspect of American culture, the sport presents a real challenge. Recently, Craig and Jamey offered international students a fun get-together called “Football 101.” This football basics class was led by pastor and counselor Dr. William Scroggins. In the ’60s, Scroggins received a full scholarship to play football for Alabama under the famous coach Bear Bryant. “The response to our invitation was overwhelming, as 60 to 70 internationals attended,” Craig says. “Dr. Scroggins enjoyed interacting and sharing with this eager bunch.” “Thanks so much!” one student commented. “This is my third year at UA. I have tried to watch the game on TV several times, understanding almost nothing. I was about to give up on it. This will be of great help.” Craig adds, “We know watching a football game together can help international students build relationships with Americans. We are excited that God is able to use football or anything He chooses to reach out to internationals.”  
These letters offer encouragement in the midst of a difficult
assignment. But for Navy Commander Bruce Brosch, it had an even more
profound affect.Bruce received the letter asking him to send a card to someone in combat. The letter described a lieutenant commander who is faithfully serving Christ. Bruce says, “I read about this lieutenant commander laboring for Jesus and thought, ‘This ought to be me.’ ” Bruce went to a Navigator website mentioned in the letter and learned about the Military Laborers Network. He connected with Navigator Jim Gassaway, who works near where Bruce is stationed. “I met with Bruce,” Jim says, “and learned he is an officer with a heart for personal ministry. I’m looking forward to mentoring him as he seeks to make a difference in his circle of influence.” To join the military letter-writing campaign, e-mail dave.kassing@navigators.org. Or check out the same website that drew Commander Brosch into more active ministry: www.navmln.org. |
 When asked about the Glen, “home” of The Navigators in Colorado Springs, I find myself retelling the same story. It was 1968 as my wife, Becky, and I drove onto the Glen. Despite having been part of The Navigators for some time, it was this first visit to the Glen that really impacted me. “If these men can believe God for a place like this,” I said to Becky, “I want to be a part of this ministry.”  Over
the years the Glen has continued to impact Becky and me, as we have
made some of our deepest commitments to God at Glen Eyrie. When I am experiencing a need for God’s direction, I often go to the Glen to be alone with Him. We were blessed to purchase the Glen in 1953, and the story of our receiving the funds is part of Navigator lore. It has provided a home for us through these many years. It’s our physical home, as we have built our international and U.S. headquarters on various parts of the property. And it’s a spiritual home, in that it is here that many of the most momentous decisions in the organization were made. It was at the Castle that some of our most famous meetings took place, where men and women were launched out to different ministry fields. There is a famous photograph of the Great Hall, with scaffolding built all along its walls, packed with young men ready to take the Gospel to the world. Pray with us that thousands and thousands of lives will be changed as they enter the gates of Glen Eyrie, just as our lives were when Becky and I arrived in 1968.  |
| More articles from our flagship publication One-to-One Ministry Review. |
