6. Meeting the Need - Ready to Walk through Open Doors
 Navigator leaders must respond to God’s leading when facing unexpected opportunities. They take their stewardship of God’s resources seriously and plan carefully. But sometimes God brings us more opportunities than expected. Perhaps that’s what Paul experienced when he wrote, “a great door for effective work has opened to me. . . “ Navigator leaders often find themselves before “great doors for effective ministry.” Jim Young, The Navigators chief development officer, is responsible for helping Navigator leaders prepare to meet those needs. “We’re diligent about preparing ourselves with the resources to take advantage of unforeseen opportunities,” says Jim. “But sometimes ministry needs outstrip our ability to plan for them. It’s a great problem!”  Jim makes sure The Navigators “Where Needed Most” fund is adequately financed so leaders can respond to opportunities as God leads them. “We can’t always anticipate where the needs will be the greatest,” says Jim, “or what the results will be. But sometimes they are dramatic. “Last year,” Jim explains, “we used a significant amount of these funds to fill in some of the financial shortfalls facing our Collegiate ministry. And what God is doing on college campuses is remarkable!” The story of Jared* is a case in point. Before his freshmen year in college, Jared had it all: great friends, a wonderful girlfriend, and caring teachers. But during his first semester of college the bottom fell out. Lonely, confused, and overwhelmed, Jared made an alarming decision. Jared wasn’t prepared for the tough transition to college. His friend backed out from being his roommate. Making new friends was hard. Classes were more demanding. He felt homesick and lonely. “I had come across The Navigators the first week of school,” says Jared. “They sounded interesting so I indicated interest in hearing more about spiritual things.” But things got worse. Jared’s girlfriend broke up with him. After a week of struggling through classes, exhaustion, and feeling that nobody at school knew him—or would miss him—he decided to commit suicide. Fortunately, the police reached him first and Jared spent several weeks getting help. “Then came a call from Edward,” says Jared, “a guy in The Navigators who became my Bible study leader. Edward invited me to a Navigator retreat.” Jared thought it would be a good way to meet friends and relieve his stress. Edward got Jared a scholarship so he could attend. “That Navigator retreat changed my life!” says Jared. “I was able to deal with my problems through the wisdom, love, and advice of others,” he explains. “I knew that in order to get over my past, I would have to tell my story to the group. Their love, support, and encouragement were amazing. That gave me new strength! God has helped me so much this year and I am thankful! He has given me a whole new life and outlook.” What a blessing that funds for Jared’s scholarship were there when he needed them. For Jared, the scholarship was more than a “where needed most” situation. It was “where needed most desperately.” Give online at my.navigators.org/cords *Not his real name |
