This letter from Doug Nuenke, the U.S. Director of The Navigators, was recently sent out as his “Monthly Minute” newlsetter. I’m quoting part of the letter here to help you all understand why Karen and I are so excited to be part of The Navigators. Their heart for relational “oneness” and the Kingdom of God are very apparent.
“Over the past year, the National Leadership Team (NLT) has brought concerted focus on the kind of culture we want to reflect as a Navigator family and co-laborers in the great Calling He has given us. This culture is well reflected in these two familiar passages:
Philippians 1:27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…”
Ephesians 4:1-3 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Similarly, we see God’s heart for unity in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23 and His design for Kingdom relationships in Colossians 3:12-17.
As you know, Vic Black and I have called a day of prayer and fasting for May 19 around these same themes—unity and peace. We are trusting that God would continue to build into us these important Kingdom values. You’ll be hearing more details from Vic on this, but please keep at least a few hours clear on that day, and consider skipping a meal or two for the purpose of prayer.
We are excited about how God has already begun to help us work together in unity and to treat one another in a way that reflects the Kingdom. At times, though, it can be a challenge.
A foundational beginning was some gatherings of our broader field leadership in late 2008 and early 2009 in which God displayed His grace in wonderful ways. There was such a renewed commitment to love one another, to work through the normal challenges of working together, and to seek God for what He desires to do through us together. God began to bring our broader field leadership together in new ways, and we are seeing the results of that all over! . . .
We continue to pray for a new generation of leaders and laborers to move into the cities of the United States for the purpose of living out our Navigator Calling.
We have not arrived yet—there is still more to do in order to see this culture of Kingdom relationships and collaboration permeate our work. We need to keep confessing sin, asking for forgiveness, mending relationships, and living out of the righteousness and holiness God has already implanted in us. On May 19, let’s come together to celebrate what God has already done, and to ask Him for strength and protection to become a people that fully reflect Him!”
As you can see, we have come into a place where the leadership is praying for the next generation, the Kingdom of God to be expanded, and relational oneness. We are very blessed to be in a position to work with this organization to bring these vital aspects of Kingdom life into the American culture! Please continue to pray for us.
Wes and Karen Schoel
Tags: Kingdom of God, next generation, relational oneness, The Navigators
Oneness… What a cool idea. Over and again the word ONE is used to describe our relationship with God as a Father, the Son’s relationship with the Father, and our relationship with each other.
On the day of Pentecost, it was ONE Spirit that poured Himself out on ONE people to become ONE Holy Nation. Oneness in relation is good!