Around the Ministry - The Navigators

It’s not a matter of “either/or,” but “both/ and.” Now you can have the One-to-One delivered to your mailbox and your e-mail inbox, too!

The One-to-One Plus One includes all the features you enjoy in the print edition: the Inside Story for an in-depth look at how Navigators are making a difference, Around the Ministry for a staccato of stories about Navigator ministry in action, and Resource Recommendations that inspire and equip you in your own spiritual journey.

So what’s the “Plus One” all about? It’s a video that gives you a front-row seat to God’s work in a particular ministry area. Or it’s an audio broadcast of an inspirational message from The Navigators. It’s something worth looking forward to!

If you’re not already a subscriber, simply go to http://navlists.org/plusone and let us know your e-mail address. When you get your first issue, you’ll see there’s a place to share this with others on Facebook, Twitter, and other popular social media sites. Make sure your friends have an opportunity to be inspired and equipped by receiving One-to-One Plus One as well!

NavPress has joined the fight against breast cancer with the September release of The Message//REMIX: Solo [Pink Edition] by Eugene H. Peterson. A portion of the proceeds from each white-and-pink paperback devotional Bible sold will go toward breast cancer research.

“Breast cancer has touched us personally,” says NavPress President Mike Miller. “Several members of our NavPress family have faced this terrible disease. We are honored to donate to research for finding a cure.”

According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer is about one in eight. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35. “This project enables us to join with retailers to offer people hope in Christ and support those battling cancer,” says NavPress Sales Manager Eric Helus.

The Message//REMIX: Solo [Pink Edition] is one of this issue’s Recommended Resources.

Lisa Olson, on staff with The Navigators in Seattle at the University of Washington, sees “glimpses of God” through ministry she’s had this summer.

A Japanese student Lisa has been walking alongside invited a few of her friends on a Navigator backpacking trip. It was the first for one of the friends, Grace. During the trip Lisa found Grace reading the Bible—another first for Grace! She eagerly listened as Lisa spoke of God’s love and grace.

Here’s another glimpse. On the backpacking trip were five women from the Bible study she leads. “God used the weekend to bond their hearts together.”

Lisa caught yet another glimpse as she’s begun to meet with a senior named Leslie—who came to know Christ as a teenager yet still had a lot of questions.

Years ago Navigators helped Billy Graham develop a follow-up program. Now The Navigators’ Church Discipleship Ministry (CDM) is taking initial steps to help Bill Hybels’ Willow Creek Association of church leaders do the same.

Willow Creek had developed a comprehensive assessment to see how they were doing when it came to making disciples—with startling results. Now they’re making the REVEAL assessment available to other church leaders.

“That’s where The Navigators comes in,” says Willow Creek’s Cally Parkinson, REVEAL point person. “Navigators can come alongside pastors individually and not only identify solutions, but to say, ‘I’ll be here to walk with you through this process.’ ” CDM helps leaders develop intentional disciplemaking churches, tapping into such seasoned materials as The 2:7 Series.

Here’s a picture of how The Navigators’ youth camp Eagle Lake is making a world of difference in the lives of kids this summer. It’s a letter from Cody, who received a “campership” to attend.

Cody is part of the camp’s No Empty Beds program. Eagle Lake partners with local ministries and organizations to send kids to camp that would normally not have the opportunity to come. Oftentimes these kids come from difficult places and have never heard about Christ before but, like Cody, they walk away knowing more about the Father in heaven who loves them.

This letter shows the beauty of The Navigators’ heart to help kids know Christ and make Him known. Cody can take the things he learned at camp down the mountain to share with family and friends!

It is true that the Gospel of the Kingdom needs to be shouted from the mountaintops. Even more, the Gospel life—the reign of the King in our lives—desperately needs to be seen by our watching world.

The problem with speaking but not radically living it is that we miss the opportunity of being “salt of the earth . . . light of the world” close to home or in faraway places— the type of all-of-life outreach pictured in this issue’s profile of Mission: Moving Mountains. Not having friendships with people far from Christ will keep us from advancing the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom in everyday life.

How can we be instruments of change?

Pam and I try to have eyes to see the brokenness, poverty, and hopelessness in the lives of people around us. We are trying to learn how to be Jesus and live the Jesus life before those in our path each day.

Here’s what we’re finding. Right there in our normal traffic patterns are friends, acquaintances, and even relative strangers who need to experience a loving touch or the listening ear of one of Christ’s followers. Managers, clerks, waiters and waitresses call us by name. We’ve begun to get to know more about them. We talk at a deeper level than normal, connecting with them about their families, dreams, and life’s challenges. We pray with them and for them. We serve them as we are able. We’re amazed how God is orchestrating opportunities for us to reflect His love for the whole person as we do life together— as we know and become known.