Around the Ministry
 The Navigators entered Christian publishing back when “word processing” meant IBM Selectric typewriters and carbon paper. For years the “Materials Department” shipped books and other ministry tools to Navigator staff and partners.  Then, in 1973, a businessman from Columbus, Ohio, named Dan Rich came on board to develop a full-fledged publishing division. As Navigators began to produce materials of interest to the general public, in January 1975 the Materials Department became NavPress.NavPress’ first book was Her Name Is Woman by Dutch Navigator Gien Karssen about women of the Bible. NavPress started publishing Discipleship Journal magazine in 1981 and Pray! in 1997. Through the years NavPress books and magazines have received many awards of excellence. Today, with magazines and hundreds of books on their list—including the best-selling Message Bible—NavPress has established itself as a leading publisher, respected for its biblically based and ministry-focused materials. You can plumb the depths of its offerings at www.navpress.com. |
 Navigators from across the country gathered at Glen Eyrie this summer to celebrate 60 years of foreign missions and to honor the faith of our first missionaries. The event recognized 67 Navigator pioneers, who moved overseas between 1948 and 1968.  Keynote speaker Bob Boardman shared how he traveled to Japan on a three-passenger freighter in 1952. “We learned to become marathoners, not sprinters,” he said. “There were no spectators, no grandstands or glory,” Bob said. “All the familiar props and nuances of our culture disappeared. We experienced ‘spiritual power outages’ and had to continually ask God to renew that spiritual power.” Rod Beidler, director of The Navigators’ U.S. International Ministries Group, reminded those present of the enormous challenge missionaries faced 60 years ago. “Two-thirds of them went overseas on slow boats. Today, we can get home from anywhere in the world in 24 hours. They couldn’t even find out what was happening at home in 24 hours.” Although today’s missionaries have tools like e-mail and Skype (for making Internet phone calls), Rod concluded, “We all have one thing in common: The pioneers went by faith, and we go by faith.” |
 “My mother said that since I am a medic,” says Ryan, a young soldier at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, “I can help soldiers not only physically but spiritually.” Ryan shared the vision with his new friend, Navigator Joseph Ebuen, who said he would help him get there. Yet they only had a month before Ryan went to Iraq. “My goal was to show him how to read his Bible regularly,” Joseph says. “That way he’ll not only have medical tools to ‘fix’ his fellow soldiers, but he’ll also have a spiritual tool. “Our vision is to equip soldiers to share Christ within their barracks, their units, and their companies,” says Joseph, who has been at Ft. Campbell with his wife, Mercy, since 1994. “Through this discipleship process, we envision the whole of Ft. Campbell—and the whole world—being reached for Christ.” |
  My friends Penn and Lynn Pendleton are a remarkable couple (see “Inside Story”). Jesus is forming them into compassionate people with a deep love for the poor. The Pendletons could easily give themselves to their own comforts and close their eyes to the poor in nearby Church Hill. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. . . . What is impossible for people is possible with God” (Luke 18:25,28). From a human perspective, there is little reason for them to get involved in inner-city ministry. Yet they believe in and are committed to Church Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT). Penn has given me an insider’s tour of CHAT, and I’m very impressed with this vision God originally gave to Percy Strickland and extended to Penn, Lynn, and others. Energy abounds and Jesus is present in remarkable ways. Young boys and girls receive hope and help. A new community of God’s people is emerging. The Church Hill community is being transformed because God is at work. At the same time, God is working in Penn and Lynn’s lives. They are walking miracles of God’s grace, examples of how He can touch the hearts of the wealthy and make them trophies of His miracle-working power. |
 Early Navigator Charlie Riggs passed away at this home in Cañon City, Colorado, on July 21, 2008. Charlie worked with Lorne Sanny and others to develop the follow-up ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in the early 1950s.Charlie developed the tract “Steps to Peace with God,” an essential BGEA tool, as well as the study Thirty Discipleship Exercises. In 1957, he became director of counseling for BGEA and served for another 40 years. “This humble man had spiritual power few people attain in a lifetime,” reflects Navigator Vice President Lauren Libby. |
  Navigator Randy Raysbrook describes his friend David as “a mustang that has been tamed by God.” Until he was in his 30s, David led a “rough and tumble” life. After struggling with alcoholism and seeing his marriage begin to unravel, David checked himself into a treatment center. There he surrendered his life to God. Randy and David started meeting regularly a few years ago. “Over bad coffee and good conversation we talk in raw terms about God and life,” Randy says. Today, Randy and David lead a small group for men in David’s workshop. “As one of the men was leaving the group last week,” Randy says, “he proudly told me, ‘David’s mentoring me.’ ” |
