Around the Ministry - The Navigators


		There are 350 Native American Nations registered with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs spanning a wide range of geography from the plains, to the mountains, to coastal regions. Each Nation has a unique language and culture. Forty percent of the two million Native Americans live on reservations. Navigators currently minister among Native Americans in a number of sites in Arizona. Navigators envision a movement of the Gospel to every Native American Nation—a movement characterized by a passionate love for Jesus and a lifestyle of sharing Christ’s love.

Tom Perkins (left) and William

For more than 75 years, Navigators have been quoting (and living by) the words the apostle Paul wrote to his disciple, Timothy: “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2, nasb).

Navigators often talk about finding a “faithful man” (or woman) in whom they can invest time, wisdom, experience—and biblical truth. The goal is that these “Timothys” will do the same with a new generation of believers.

Tom Perkins, who works with The Navigators Military Ministry, described his “Timothy”, who actually goes by the name William.

“I don’t remember a 30-year-old with such an understanding of both Scripture and life,” says Tom. “William works as a graphic artist and puts in long days. We meet every Wednesday during lunch not far from where he works.” Relying on his Navigator training and the Holy Spirit, Tom has walked with William around and through the “land mines” of life. Tom said William’s humility and willingness to be taught challenge him each week.

Tom is quick to point out that William doesn’t keep what he learns to himself. “He’s established his own men’s group,” Tom explains, “called, ‘Serenity SOLDIERS’ (Sending Out Leaders: Driven, Informed, Equipped & Ready). He even designed some cool dog tags that identify the individuals as committed believers.”

What does a “faithful man” look like? He looks like William—humble, willing to learn, and he passes on what he learns to others who are like him.

Lincoln* was not walking with the Lord during his time in basic training—until he met Navigator associate, and active duty soldier, Michael. The two became good friends and Michael began to disciple Lincoln, teaching him Navigator “basics” such as how to pray, study and apply the Bible, and share his faith.

As Lincoln grew in his faith, he sensed God wanted him to deploy, but four times his attempts to volunteer were denied. Finally, God opened the door for him to transfer to a unit that was being deployed to a combat zone.

After his arrival in the Middle East, his platoon was ambushed. Three soldiers from Lincoln’s platoon were killed, along with three Air Force personnel and one Marine. In the midst of the trauma, Lincoln called his mentor and shared what God was doing. Although he had become known as an outspoken Christian, Lincoln shared that God was teaching him to grow in sensitivity. And yet, because of his commitment to the “basics”—including being deeply rooted in the Word—God was using him to comfort his fellow soldiers. Lincoln is just one of the thousands of servicemen and women God is using to advance His Kingdom around the world.

*Not his real name

The views presented here are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense.

—Charles W. Colson
Founder and Chairman of the Board,
Prison Fellowship and Prison
Fellowship International

The Navigators has had such a faithful ministry over the years. You always know that their discipleship courses are solid—not only biblically solid, but that the people are well-trained. This ministry does a fabulous job discipling people across this country. I’m indebted to The Navigators, and I pray that God will continue to bless this ministry.

A ministry of broken bones

Told he would never be off a respirator or move again,
David Brown now walks with a cane and is back at work.

Make me to hear joy and gladness, and let the bones which Thou has broken rejoice (Psalm 51:8, NASB).

In 2009, David Brown, a counselor with The Navigators People Resources Team, crashed his bicycle, launching headfirst onto a rock and breaking his neck. A hiker who found him and flagged down a driver who happened to have EMT training.

“I was not breathing, and my heart was stopped,” said David. “They did CPR with just chest compressions and got my heart started. Any head movement probably would have killed me.”

In the ER, a doctor told David’s wife, Jill, that David’s blood pressure was plummeting. “We’re losing him,” he said. “Do you believe in prayer?” Those in the waiting room—including the doctor—prayed. After he left, David’s blood pressure had risen.

“When I woke up, all I could do was blink my eyes,” said David. With his neck stabilized in a halo, he was hooked to a respirator. People around the world were praying for David nonstop. A week after the accident, he moved his feet, then a finger. Within a month, he was breathing on his own.

David and Jill spent four months in a Denver hospital, where they formed relationships with the staff. They had little privacy, but David thinks this opened doors for conversations about Christ.

“When you’re vulnerable and broken, you’re not a threat,” David suggested. “If you still have life and hope and joy, people want to know why.”

This “ministry of broken bones” is not one many would choose. But for those who abide in Christ, it’s a ministry of indisputable power.

To know Christ and to make Him known and... One day, Armando and Liset Diaz, who work with The Navigators Hispanic Ministry in Miami, received a phone call from a friend in Cuba. “Armando, how are you? I need your help!”

Armando’s friend explained that his young nephew, Frank, and his wife, Jessica, were having marital problems and desperately needed someone to help them. God laid it on Armando and Liset to meet that need.

After meeting with Armando and Liset for six months to examine what biblical discipleship was all about, Frank wanted to share with other believers how God had transformed their lives and marriage.

Jessica and Frank

“Jessica and I met on MySpace,” Frank says. “After getting to know each other better we knew we were in love. Our first year was great, with no fights and no problems.”

Then things changed. Frank shares, “We were consumed by our own issues and spent two years breaking up and getting back together. We finally got married, but our problems persisted and our arguments got more heated as time passed.”

Frank’s uncle in Cuba suggested that they get together with Armando and Liset. “During that time,” says Frank, “I learned a lot from them. I learned how to handle conflict and how to love and lead my wife spiritually. We’re still growing, but I’m am pleased to say that Jessica and I are very happily married and our love for each other and for God is growing stronger. We thank God every day for Armando and Liset and for the blessing of being a part of the Navigator ministry in Miami.”