The Navigators (organization)

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The Navigators is a worldwide Christian parachurch organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its main purpose is the discipling (training) of Christians with a particular emphasis on enabling them to share their faith with others.

The Navigators
Founder(s) Dawson E. Trotman
Type Christian discipleship ministry
Founded 1933
Headquarters Colorado Springs, Colorado
Area served 103 countries
Method one-to-one mentoring and small groups
Employees 4,628 staff of 69 nationalities
Slogan To know Christ and to make Him known
Website http://www.navigators.org

The Navigators works alongside local churches, by providing resources such as Bible study booklets and study aid materials, Scripture verse memory aids, and Christian books. These are produced through the organization's NavPress publishing group, which also offers The Message Bible paraphrase. It also supports full-time workers who mostly work within local communities. Currently more than 4,600 Navigator staff of 69 nationalities minister among college students, military personnel, business and professional people, communities, and churches in 103 countries.

As of 2007 the Navigators' international president is Michael W. Treneer. He succeeded Dr. Jerry White who served in that capacity for the previous 18 years on January 1, 2005.

[edit] History

The Navigators was founded in 1933 by Dawson Trotman, out of his experiences mentoring United States Navy sailor Lester Spencer. 135 men became Christians on Les Spencer's ship, the USS West Virginia, before it was sunk at Pearl Harbor. By the end of World War II, thousands of men on ships and bases around the world were learning the principles of Christian discipleship.

Since then The Navigators has grown into a worldwide organization with representation in most countries of the world. It acquired its current location at Glen Eyrie through Billy Graham's contacting Trotman about the then-vacant property, which was up for sale in 1950. A fundraising call was put out to friends of the Navigators, and the money needed to purchase the site was obtained within a tight deadline, allowing the sale to the group to be completed.

[edit] Glen Eyrie's use today

Today, Glen Eyrie organizes and offers over 100 Christian conferences, retreats, and programs a year. The general public is allowed on its grounds during the day to visit its bookstore and cafe, located in the Carriage House, or for any of their public Victorian or English Cream teas throughout the week (reservations required). Tours of the Castle - originally the home of General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs - are available for a small fee to the public. These tours do require an advance reservation. The Castle is also a conference and retreat center available for use by groups.

The Navigators headquarters is at its modern administration building, in the northeast part of the Glen Eyrie property. It is viewable from 30th Street south of Garden of the Gods Road, which is off of Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs.

[edit] External links