From Dick Taylor and John Nellis
Wikipedia: "Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the sixth-most-populous city in the United States. In 2008, the population of the city proper was estimated to be over 1.54 million, while the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area's population of 5.8 million made it the country's fifth-largest. Popular nicknames for Philadelphia include Philly and The City of Brotherly Love.
Our Legacy
The Navigators have been blessed by a rich heritage from our influence over the past forty years. In tracing our roots as far back as the early 70's, we found that there have been at least 35 Nav Staff couples (and singles) who have resided and ministered in the Metro Area. Much of the early efforts of The Navigators were in the Collegiate work and gradually, over time, moved closer towards embracing a broader base in the community. Our impact has included extensive efforts among churches in helping them embrace the vision to become more intentional in their discipling and their outreach ministries towards the lost. These efforts included work in training and providing resources and materials as well as coaching and facilitating leadership development among pastors and church leaders. There are significant numbers of men and women in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware who grew up in their spiritual lives because of Navigator contact and encouragement. Many are now leaders in churches, businesses, organizations, and other areas of impact and continue serving as Christ's ambassadors. These life-long laborers affirm that much of their early training and development is a result of The Navigators helping them through college, military, community, church, conferences, and other points of contact.
Current Ministry
Today, we have four full-time staff couples and one single in the area. Our present work in prisons is helping to raise up mature believers who will serve those incarcerated as life-to-life mentors. We impact the twenty-something young men and women. We continue to impact pastors and leaders. We are reaching out as insiders among the lost in our communities as we model our values. We also have several part-time bi-vocational staff partners and numerous volunteers who are committed to our vision and are living out values that represent the same ministry values that we embrace. We have made an impact in various ethnic communities and we continue to ask God to bring and raise up more laborers in Philadelphia. We are thankful for everyone that has connected with us, and we believe that, in God's sovereignty, every person has made their unique contribution to enhance our rich history of advancing the Gospel here in Philly.
Pray for our future
Questions that challenge us in 2010 are:
- How do we synergistically move forward with the people, the resources, and networks that God has given us in order to continue to make the maximum impact that will last for generations? (Matthew 9:37)
- How do we bring college Nav staff to the area to multiply life-long disciples who will build their careers in the area and invest in future generations? (Psalm 71:17-18)
Donate to the Philadelphia Metro Mission here.