Spencer did teach the sailor, and soon the two men were meeting with others. Eventually, 125 men on their ship, the U.S.S. West Virginia, were growing in Christ and actively sharing their faith. Many hours were spent with individual sailors in Bible study, Scripture memorization, and prayer, with an emphasis on each teaching another what he had learned.
By the end of World War II, thousands of men on ships and bases around the world were learning the principles of spiritual multiplication.
By the end of World War II, thousands of men on ships and bases around the world were learning the principles of spiritual multiplication.
(2006)
U.S. MILITARY MINISTRIES
Field Staff:
U.S. MILITARY MINISTRIES
Field Staff:
U.S.
347
Europe
26
Pacific Rim
5
Other countries
6
U.S. COLLEGIATE MINISTRIES
Staff-led
95
Non staff-led
20
Developing
56
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
More than 4,000 staff/missionaries of 64 nationalities in more than 100 countries
OTHER U.S. MINISTRIES
Navigators also labor in numerout churches, strategic metropolitan cities, and communities around the country
More than 4,000 staff/missionaries of 64 nationalities in more than 100 countries
OTHER U.S. MINISTRIES
Navigators also labor in numerout churches, strategic metropolitan cities, and communities around the country
The ministry of
the Navigators
began in the
1930's through
the call of God
to a young
California
blue-collared
worker,
Dawson
Trotman.
the Navigators
began in the
1930's through
the call of God
to a young
California
blue-collared
worker,
Dawson
Trotman.
Dawson caught a vision to teach discipleship principles he found fruitful in his own life to young people in his community. He first began to teach high school students and local Sunday school classes. Then in 1933, he and his friends began to extend their work among sailors in the U.S. Navy. Dawson taught sailor Les Spencer the principles of Christian growth. They spent many hours together praying, studying the Bible, and memorizing Scripture. When one of Spencer's shipmates asked him the secret of his changed life, Spencer brought the man to Trotman.
"Teach him what you taught me," Spencer said.
"Teach him what you taught me," Spencer said.
"You teach him!" Trotman responded. And that was the beginning of The Navigators.
Dawson & the first sailors
Billy Graham & Dawson teaching
At the same time, the high school students whose lives Dawson had touched went on to reach out to others around them in Southern California.
Today, 75 years
later, we minister not
only in the military
and on college
campuses, but with
businessmen and
women, ethnic
goups, international
students, in countries
around the world.
later, we minister not
only in the military
and on college
campuses, but with
businessmen and
women, ethnic
goups, international
students, in countries
around the world.
