By Doug Nuenke
US Director, The Navigators

When our children were small, my wife, Pam, and I helped out in their preschool and Sunday school classes. On one occasion, during the short lesson designed for short attention spans, we asked the group of four year olds what they wanted to be when they grew up. You never know what you are going to get when you ask a four year old a question!

“A fireman,” said one boy.

“A mommy,” said a little girl.

“A cat,” said one rather exuberant princess.

And finally, after a good deal of thought, one stocky little guy said, “A dump truck.”

Career counseling for four year olds aside, one thing is for sure: God has put in the heart of every individual the desire to make a contribution—to play a role in this world that is unique and personal. I have no doubt that you know exactly what I mean.

Why do we have such a longing to make a difference?

In Genesis 1, we find out why we have this indelible impression on our souls. In verses 28 through 30, we see the first of all “commissions” given to humankind. God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful, to increase, to fill, subdue, rule, and to nurture. This charge—to be fruitful and productive—explains our soul’s desire to make a unique contribution on this earth, one that was written in eternity for us to make. The Navigators wants to help you to discover and fulfill that unique calling.

As you probably know, intermingled among all the various creative and good contributions God has given us is the privilege of introducing people to their creator and helping them learn of His gracious character and the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom. Right in the normal schedule of existence, as we live and breathe next door to people without Christ, we live and proclaim God’s goodness in word and deed. In between our everyday activities—a spreadsheet, a lunchtime sub sandwich, or a trip to pick up groceries—we meet friends and acquaintances whose lives will be different because they’ve rubbed shoulders with us—Citizens of the Kingdom.

Can God use someone like me?

In Luke 19, Jesus paused on the Mount of Olives to look down over Jerusalem. He was moved to tears because of the vastness and lostness of that city. Next time you are in a metropolitan area, I invite you to pause, get out of your car, and to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. Tune your heart to what Jesus saw in Jerusalem. Our cities are filled with harassed and helpless people who are far from Jesus. Whether they are business people walking briskly in their tailored suits, merchants and blue-collar laborers making the city work, or the oppressed and poor, many are without hope and without God in this world.

Navigators have committed themselves to raising up everyday people (like you), the same laborers Jesus talks of in Luke 10, to bring the fragrant aroma of Kingdom Good News to the lost sheep of our world. We envision thousands of everyday people, who in the context of a small community of close friends, are together experiencing the Gospel and are advancing the Kingdom in the normal pathways of life.

What can I do to change the world?

We are privileged to join you and thousands of other everyday people to fulfill that vision. Whether someone encounters The Navigators as a student, in the military, at church, as a new grad, or in the midst of adult life, we are working together to serve and empower Christ followers and to bring hope to those yet to know Him.

We’d love for you to consider joining us in this adventure. And along the way, I suspect that we will each discover the unique contribution God has for us, whether that be business person, spouse, fireman, or even a dump truck! One thing we know for sure: He will help us to experience the hope of the Gospel and to carry its fragrance into the lives of people around us.