Around the Ministry
 “Daws, there’s a harvest in China, and either you’ve got to go or send your best man.”This ultimatum from a friend working in China came in 1946. And as it turned out, Navigator founder Dawson Trotman did both.  In response to his friend’s challenge, Daws joined a Youth For Christ trip to China in 1948. While other mission agencies emphasized evangelism, Dawson challenged missionaries and nationals with the importance of discipleship. When he returned to the States, Daws sent Roy Robertson as the first Navigator representative overseas to help establish follow-up in parts of China and to train a few men before the impending Communist takeover forced out foreign missionaries. Robertson had just five months to work before Shanghai fell. Today, Navigators from nearly 70 nationalities minister in more than 100 countries, demonstrating The Navigators’ continued commitment to developing disciplemakers for Christ’s Kingdom all over the world. |
 Prayer
has long been a hallmark of The Navigators, and this is still true
today. So much so that there are people on staff who teach workshops on
prayer and lead prayer meetings around the world. As National Prayer Director, Vic Black travels the world to encourage Navigator staff—and the people they touch. Vic is involved in prayer retreats, conference speaking, one-to-one prayer, internships, and staff training. Debbie Schwartz and Tom Steers, co-directors of The Navigators’ Asian American Ministry, greatly appreciate Vic’s focused ministry. They asked him to pray with them about an upcoming leadership retreat. “It was the sweetest time of prayer together,” Debbie says. “I believe entering into God’s presence in this way opened up the heavenly places for an outpouring upon our gathering. It was amazingly rich spiritually. We are continuing to praise Him for His outpouring of love.” |
  Evan and his wife, Kim, work with The Navigators at the University of Cincinnati. “Many traditional forms of outreach that worked so well in past decades are now perceived as arrogant and disrespectful by a growing number of college students,” he explains. “They believe, ‘That’s true for you but not for me, so stop trying to sell me your ideology.’ As a result, we as Christ-followers need to find creative ways to build credibility and rapport if we hope to earn the right to share ‘Gospel content’ with these students.” Evan and his team helped freshmen move into the dorms, gave away ice cream sundaes, and handed out backpacks filled with Navigator products. “We also pull off crazy events like our Nav Olympics,” he says, “where hundreds of students met The Navigators while playing tug-of-war, water-balloon volleyball, and, yes, even human bowling.” These events are the starting point to building friendships on campus. Evan quotes John 1:14 as a reminder that God, too, went to great lengths to become part of our world: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes; the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish” (The Message). Find out more at www.cincynavs.com. |
  Saira
Mogensen’s story intrigued me (see “Inside Story”). She’s what I call a
“ministry surprise.” All of us have seen ministry surprises in our
lives. I recall a number of years ago when I was ministering to a young man named Dave at the University of Maryland. He was continually depressed, but at the same time deeply committed to Bible study. I could see the Spirit of God at work in him, but I also saw intense struggles that seemed unending year by year. I often wondered if Dave would ever be a fruitful laborer in the Kingdom. Some years later, Dave and his family were traveling through Colorado Springs and stopped in for a visit. I met his wife and marvelous children. I learned that God had given Dave a wonderful youth ministry. Many had come into the Kingdom as the result of Dave’s life. His wife had played a terrific part in Dave’s healing and his ability to minister to others. My sense is that these kinds of things happen in all our lives. However, we need to have eyes to see with clarity the surprises God brings along our way. Let me encourage you to look for the wonderful surprises and the blessings of each day that allow us to see the work of God in the midst of our struggles. Saira is an example of God filling our hearts with surprise and joy. God is the God of the unexpected. Let’s commit ourselves to seeing the miracles of faith that are all around us every day. |
  Virginia
Military Institute in Lexington has been described as a fortress. In
true military fashion, the students live in barracks and eat in a mess
hall. The cadets’ schedules are regimented and their lives sequestered.
That makes it hard for Navigators to connect with students. Thankfully, there are professors at the school who conduct Navigator ministry as part of NavFusion, a program that supports volunteers as they carry out Navigator campus work. Primary at the Institute is Dr. Daren Timmons, a chemistry professor. Acting in an unofficial capacity, Daren and other professors graciously invite students to their homes for pizza and Bible study. About 50 cadets are involved in the Navigator group. “There are upper-class leaders setting the tone of the group, living for Christ and making Him known,” says Mike Kozlarek, who heads NavFusion. The students attend Navigator conferences and summer training programs. About 50 percent of the cadets enter the military, going all over the world with different branches of service. “Because of Daren and the others he works with,” Mike adds, “NavFusion is touching this small but significant campus that otherwise wouldn’t have a Navigator presence.” Visit www.NavFusion.org for more information. |
