Around the Ministry
 Growing pains. The Navigators suffered from them throughout the 1950s and ’60s as we launched numerous overseas ministries. But early in the 1960s, we realized we needed to develop indigenous leaders. In 1961, a strategic Overseas Policy Conference at Glen Eyrie brought clarity to that vision. “At this conference we confirmed the decision to ‘grow our own,’ ” says Navigator historian Donald McGilchrist. “We defined our objective as to contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission by producing (spiritual) reproducers in every nation.” The result was an emphasis on developing staff, both in the United States and overseas.Some feared that we would overly standardize, raising up “cookie cutter” Navigators. Others argued that we were teaching methods that would not fit overseas contexts. However, our emphasis on “growing our own” paid off. More and more overseas Navigator ministries were being led by national disciplemakers. Today, our worldwide partnership comprises ministries in 105 countries, of which more than 40 are sending their own cross-cultural missionaries. |
  Erik Hoyle, a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and volunteer Navigator associate deployed to the Middle East, was injured when his vehicle was struck by an IED—improvised explosive device. This is the first time someone on staff with The Navigators has been injured in combat. Two others riding with Erik were injured, and one soldier was killed. Eric required surgery to remove shrapnel from his left knee and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. He intends to return to his platoon upon recovery. “I am thankful for God’s sovereignty,” Erik says. “I have to be willing to trust that no matter what, whether God hurts me, kills me, or leaves me unharmed, He is doing so while looking out for my best interests. God’s ultimate goal for my life is not to make my life comfortable, but rather to prepare me for an eternity with Him. I’m praying that the Lord will use the life and death situations that soldiers are experiencing on a daily basis to draw them closer to Him.” The views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the view of the Department of Defense. |
 “Roy laid the foundation of a ministry that continues to multiply through the lives of thousands of men and women all over Asia,” says The Navigators’ International President Mike Treener. Roy attended his first Navigator rally in Pearl Harbor the day before the attack that thrust the United States into World War II. He made a lordship decision the next morning—as his ship was being bombed.  After the war, Roy trained with Navigator founder Dawson Trotman. In 1949, Daws sent Roy to China as The Navigators’ first overseas missionary. In the decades to follow, Roy launched Navigator ministries across Asia. In 1972, Roy started Training Evangelistic Leadership (TEL), a ministry for young Asian evangelists. In 1986, Roy and his wife, Phyllis, retired from The Navigators. They traveled and taught throughout Asia until Phyllis’ death in November 2007. “Very few people minister as an international ambassador for Christ for 60 years,” says Navigators’ Vice President Lauren Libby. “Today we stand on the contribution of people like Roy Robertson.” Roy is survived by his six children. Two of the Robertsons’ children serve with The Navigators: Janet Lewis and her husband, Mark; and Susan Rice and her husband, David. Click here for more about Roy Robertson. |
  Have you ever given much thought to the culture of God’s Kingdom? Every kingdom has a culture that dominates everything that happens in that realm. In God’s Kingdom the culture is grace and truth. In John 1:14, the apostle tells us that when the disciples observed Jesus they saw the beauty of grace and truth.Our churches and ministries need to reflect that same beauty. Grace elicits in people a desire to come into the light of God’s truth. Without grace we hide from the truth. When we experience grace we open our lives to the truth, and truth allows God to shape our lives through His Word, His people, and our circumstances. Rich and Cindy Robinson, featured in our cover story, create an environment of grace and truth for the people in their ministry. This opens the door for people like Brenda West to minister to others in need. I have seen the power of their ministry to men and women on a number of occasions. How blessed we are to have people like them in The Navigators. So often people say to me, “Grace is good but now we need some truth.” Others tell me, “The truth is too hard—we need some grace.” We need to understand that grace and truth come together when we live in the light of God’s love. Both grace and truth work together to conform us to His image. I am so glad God has given The Navigators ministers like Rich, Cindy, and Brenda who understand how to live it out. |
 When Susan decided to join The Navigators’ EDGE Corps after college, her non-Christian parents were “confused and upset.” When she decided to stay on staff a second year rather than return home, her mother began to doubt Susan’s love for her.“God convicted me to pray for them every day,” Susan says. And now, three years after Susan joined EDGE Corps, her mother, father, and step-mother are changed people. Through a series of divinely appointed events, Susan’s parents came to put their faith in Christ. “I think that’s why you went to New York, so that you could find God and so then I could find God,” Susan’s mother told her. “I think that’s why I had you: So that I could find God.” In a letter to her supporters, Susan declared, “My parents’ faith might not have been aroused if they had not been able to witness a community of people investing in the Kingdom of God.” |