Around the Ministry
 Faith grows as we put it to good use. Giving partners “Nick and Carrie” learned this as they reconsidered their financial commitment to Shayna Wildermuth, on staff at Illinois State University. Last summer, the couple decided to cut back their support of Shayna in favor of giving more to their church. Yet after meeting with Shayna to talk about the situation, they decided not to reduce their giving but instead to trust God to provide enough for both Shayna and their church. The very next pay period, Nick received a raise that covered the additional giving more than twice over. He says raises usually come at the start of the year, but this came in an off month. Two weeks later, without really looking, Carrie found a paid internship to bring in a little more resources. “There is no doubt in our minds that God was the source,” Nick says. “It is exciting to see God move and to know that, at least in a small way, we are a part of Shayna’s ministry.” |  John Ed Robertson, who served as both Philadelphia Metro Leader and Military Mission Field Leader, passed away March 4th after a bicycling accident. John Ed’s passion for ministry was evident in a report he submitted shortly before his accident. He wrote about a military retreat held in January at Camp Pinnacle near Albany, New York. Thirty-five West Point cadets and 50 regular Army personnel assembled to discuss how to serve God and advance the Gospel in everyday life. “All the speakers are highly respected Army officers who are deeply committed to Jesus Christ,” John Ed wrote. “They are living out the principle that says, ‘If I put Christ first in my life I will be a better officer than I would be if I didn’t put Christ first.’ ” John Ed referred to a workshop led by a Special Forces captain, Jason, who spoke on the characteristics of the man God uses—an intimate relationship with God, a man wholly surrendered to God and prayer. These are qualities John Ed lived out. John Ed worked with The Navigators 36 years in collegiate, international, metro and military ministries, including 16 years as country leader in France. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their three adult children.  “John Ed was truly one of the finest servants of Christ I have ever known—a great man in every sense of the word,” says Ron Holechek, director of The Navigators’ military ministry. Despite his significant contribution to the ministry, John Ed was quick to give glory to God, saying, “God is doing some amazing things and The Navigators is privileged to be a part of it.” |
 What do football players do in the off-season? At North Dakota State University, Navigator Greg Crowley reports that some of them read the Bible. Greg meets with several football players every week in the team lounge, leading conversations that are lively and thought provoking. In a discussion on John 2 and the story of the moneychangers, the group spent a good amount of time talking about the meaning of the word zeal. “We have used analogies from movies, football, and their own experiences,” Greg says. “These young men have little to no experience finding things in the Bible. It is fun and encouraging to spend time in the Word with those who look at it with fresh eyes.”  Find out more about
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 U.S. Navigator President We’ve featured Roc Bottomly in this issue’s “Inside Story.” I first met Roc when he was serving with The Navigators back in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. At that time Roc had a remarkable commitment to God and a refreshing way of relating to people. It was very evident that this man was a leader.  Some time later, I served at Pulpit Rock Church, here in Colorado
Springs, under the leadership of Pastor Roc and his wife, Bev. What
stands out in my mind is how Roc demonstrated unusual leadership,
humility, and insight into the Scriptures that stirred all of our
hearts. Unlike some Christian leaders, Roc has been willing to go places in his relationship with God that many are not willing to go. He is a man with a deep passion for the Lord Jesus and yearning to help others experience all they can in their relationship with Him. As I continue to see the fruit of Roc’s life, I am so thankful The Navigators had a very strong influence on shaping the direction of where he has gone—both in his personal walk and in his ministry—from his earliest days. He continues to be a solid friend of The Navigators and a marvelous influence on all of us. May God give us the grace to imitate Roc’s solid faith. We thank God for him and for the way he has contributed to the Navigator ministry as well as the body of Christ. |
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