from August 3, 2014 prayer update

I have had the opportunity to spend time at Glen Eyrie, The Navigators national and international headquarters in Colorado Springs, twice this summer. First for a week of new staff orientation and fundraising training, and second for several days of interactions with NCM’s regional field leaders.

Colorado has had more rain than usual this year, so everything is green. With the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, it is a beautiful setting. But greater than the physical beauty of the location, is the spiritual beauty of my new colleagues.

the castle on the Glen Eyrie campus
I have lots of first impressions from these first four months with The Navigators. I will share about three that stand above the rest. A passion for Christ and His mission, a passion for digging deep into the Word of God, and a passion for intentional disciple making.

First, a passion for Christ and His mission. The Navigators motto is “to know Christ and to make Him known”. Passion for Jesus’ mission should flow out of passion for Jesus. If we love Him, we also love what He loves. This is at the very core of who The Navigators are, and it is evident in the lives of our staff as you get to know them personally. The apostle Paul, the model cross-cultural evangelist and church planter, speaks of his passion for Christ in Philippians 3:8. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”.

Second, a passion for digging deep into the Word of God. Depth in the Word in our personal times alone with God, in our discipling work with individuals, and in our coaching and training work with church leaders is central. It is the Scriptures studied, grappled with, and lived out that transforms lives. “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” – James 1:25.

Third, a passion for intentional disciple making. This is what The Navigators do best. I believe we do this better and with greater enthusiasm than anyone else. For the 130 staff serving with NCM, we have a passion for seeing this happen in the 400 thousand Protestant churches in the U.S. II Timothy 2:2 says, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” The Navigators believe that Biblical reproduction has not occurred until you see a solid third generation in place. The proof of reproduction is seeing someone you have invested deeply in turn around and do the same with someone else.