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Around the Ministry
Sometimes people wonder why we minister in a particular area or to a specific group of people. The article to the right (“The Bible in the Bronx”) talks about our ministry at New York University in New York City. Why are we there? There are actually quite a number of reasons, but here are five compelling ones to consider.
- New York City is one of the most strategic and influential cities in the world. Navigators are reaching the shapers of tomorrow’s culture.
- Research shows that 85 percent of believers decide to follow Christ by the time they are 19 years old. Students entering college are at a critical crossroads.
- People are available when they are in college—in a way they will never be available again once they take on the responsibilities of jobs and families.
- At New York University Poly we are reaching the third most ethnically and fifteenth most socio-economically diverse group of college students in the country.
- Students who have come through The Navigators’ fellowship at New York University have impacted Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Honduras, Morocco, Peru, and several European countries for the Gospel . . . so far!
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If fluctuations in your financial investments have left you with whiplash, you’re not alone. Some people enjoy the thrill of playing the market. But perhaps you’re looking for a less stressful way to create financial security for yourself and your loved ones.
Here’s good news. With a charitable gift annuity to The Navigators, you can receive interest payments for life—a fixed income that never changes. And depending on the amount of your gift, you may qualify for the added benefit of mostly tax-free income.
What’s a Navigator charitable gift annuity? It’s basically a contract in which you transfer cash or property to The Navigators, and—based on your age—we pay you an income for life. You can set up payments for yourself, or for yourself and your spouse. After the death of all annuitants (you and/or your spouse), the remaining value of your gift annuity is used in The Navigators’ ministry of transforming lives for God’s glory. Even after you’re gone, your resources help continue the work of the Great Commission.
The Navigators Planned Giving Department has been working on plans like this with supporters like you for nearly 40 years. We’d be happy to help you decide whether or not this plan meets your financial needs. Please call us toll-free at 1-888-283-0157 or check out our website at: www.navigatorsplannedgiving.org.
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Thirty-two years ago David, a naval officer, started an investigative Bible study for students attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, Rhode Island, to examine what the Bible said about life issues. For one young man, Gregg, this began a lifelong journey of investing in the lives of others.
Four years later, Gregg, and his friends Bill and Dave, began a similar study with a new group of NAPS students. One of them, Scott, recalls, “These men taught me how to study and memorize Scripture. We talked about walking with God. Most important, they gave me a desire to continue my apprenticeship as a disciple of Christ.”
Twenty-six years later, Scott leads a study with the newest NAPS class—investing in the next generation of military personnel. He helps believers grow in their walk with God, knowing that the life-on-life interaction that helped him years ago can have the same impact on this generation.
These men remain committed to the on-going investment in the lives of others. Dave is a missionary in Southeast Asia. Bill and David invest in the lives of fellow Navy shipmates. Scott continues to invest in the lives of fellow Marines. Gregg serves with The Navigators Military Ministry Leadership Team and invests in the lives of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy—helping them develop that same passion for the Word of God that captured him so many years ago.
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 Sometimes a navigator is more than just someone who helps plot a course.
Jon was helping a commercial pilot from East Asia attending a Tucson flight school become established in his new faith. “A few of the pilots had become believers, “ Jon said, “and I had the privilege of following up one of them. “
As a former Air Force pilot, Jon had much in common with his new friend. Naturally, they talked about flying. But Jon also taught this new believer about having a daily quiet time, prayer, and keeping Christ central in his life.
Jon and this pilot completed a study on the major people and events of the Old Testament, and the young man was baptized before returning to East Asia. Jon’s friendship with this pilot also opened other opportunities for the Gospel. “Through him,” Jon explains, “I now have a study going with two other pilots.”
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 Jesus didn’t just talk about proclaiming the Good News to the poor. He rubbed shoulders with needy people. He didn’t just tell the sick about healing. He touched lepers and healed them. Jesus didn’t just quote Scripture. He acted on it. Jesus’ relationship with God wasn’t defined by a set of activities. His relationship with His Father was, in a sense, who He was.
 Dr. Doug Nuenke President of the U.S. Navigators
This isn’t just a nine-to-five job for us. It’s who we are . . . 24/7. I like the way the apostle Paul frames this: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life . . .” (Philippians 2:14–16).
What a privilege to live daily, reflecting the light of Jesus Christ! Wherever we are in the world, and whatever we do—no matter how we earn our paycheck—we live out the mission of Christ so that we are, “always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).
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