Around the Ministry
  You've probably heard of YouTube. And chances are you've seen some pretty hilarious video clips that are posted on this online video site. Maybe you think YouTube is not for you, but there's more to YouTube than just funny videos and stupid pet tricks. You can actually take a look at short (five minutes or shorter), engaging videos that give you a behind-the-scenes look at actual Navigator ministries. For instance, you can check out The Navigators EDGE Corps at University of California, Los Angeles, or, if you prefer you can access all the Navigator videos posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thenavigators. Who says there's nothing worth watching anymore? |
 Mitch found a "faithful man" in James and is investing his life in discipling him.  Navigators talk about passing on what they've learned to "faithful men" or "faithful women." It's a cornerstone of Navigator ministry. But what is a "faithful" man or woman? Mitch Williamson ministers with The Navigators at West Texas A&M University. He explains: "One of the hardest things in ministry is choosing in whom to invest time. I want to invest in people who will make a difference." So Mitch looks for students who demonstrate these character traits: Faithful, Available, Interdependent, Teachable, and have a Heart for others. Mitch opens his door to anyone, but spends most of his time investing in people with the character traits above. He met one such student, James, last year. James didn't impress Mitch at their first encounter—or even as he attended large group meetings. It wasn't until James committed himself to a rigorous eight-week discipleship course that Mitch began to see the character he was looking for. James developed an insatiable appetite for God's Word. Now he's leading a Bible study in his dorm and recruiting his dorm mates to it. Mitch says, "In just one year James has gone from stuck in neutral to going full force . . ." Amazing what a little "FAITH" can do! |
 For one Navigator, neighborhood violence highlighted the need for Jesus in the City. Kerry-Ann works in partnership with our Navigator ministry and her local church in the Tidewater Metro area of Virginia. Kerry-Ann came to faith through this ministry and God moved her to stay and help the poor and broken of inner city Norfolk. She works with our Urban Discovery ministry helping people get their GED, helping girls with self-esteem, helping single moms become better mothers and, most of all, helping people learn about God and knowing Him better. Kerry-Ann realized that a war rages all around us that we can't see most of the time, but on one day as Kerry-Ann, her son, and a friend were sitting in their car, an all out war broke out around them. Two rival neighborhoods were fighting fiercely and bullets started to fly—with Kerry-Ann's car right in the middle. Miraculously, God protected them and no one in the car was injured. After their initial anger about what had happened, this incident led all of them to see God's hand in what they'd just been through. They began to pray for those involved in the shooting and God gave them an even greater desire to continue in their work with the downtrodden trapped in this urban war zone. This event brought the need for Jesus in the city into sharp focus for Kerry-Ann. There is a need to bring life-giving hope, love, and a peace that surpasses all understanding to the individuals living there. Kerry-Ann was struck with the need to give those young men and women a chance at a life without violence and hatred—hope and peace that can only come through Jesus. "We were all reminded that this spiritual war is real," she said, "and that people need the Lord and that we have to continue sharing our faith. We also cannot let fear hinder our walk and the Gospel." Adapted from an article by A. Shober in Metro Mission e-News, Jan. 2010 |
 If you ask most Navigators what they do, they'll tell you, "We make disciples." But what does that look like? A disciple is, "One who learns." So someone who makes disciples is someone who teaches them. Navigator Randy Raysbrook describes Navigator ministry this way: We teach others—
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 I'm often asked what makes The Navigators unique. What's special about our contribution to the Kingdom of God? Many organizations are known for where they minister (such as Africa, Asia, or Europe). Others are known for the type of people they serve (such as children, prisoners, or young mothers). The Navigators is known for what we do regardless of where we minister, or to whom.  Dr. Doug Nuenke President of the U.S. Navigators We focus on long-term results and the deep transformation of lives that the Gospel brings. We engage in what you might call the ripple effect of changed lives. It's true that we may be engaged with thousands of students, military personnel, young professionals, and more. But we really pay attention to the effect these individuals have on people in their spheres of influence. In 2 Timothy 2:1,2 Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he's learned: . . . and what you have learned from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. It's the ripple effect in action. Next Door Laborers Secondly, The Navigators is about raising up workers (laborers) for the Kingdom next door to everywhere. While many have gone into full-time service as a result of the work of The Navigators, there are thousands upon thousands of everyday people who are living out the Christian life because a layperson, trained by The Navigators, has reached out to them. We reach and train thousands and thousands of people who are impacted by the Gospel and keep the ripple effect moving wherever they live, work, and interact with those around them. |
