“Going Deep With Jesus Through Memorizing and Meditating on His Word” Tom Bourke
We could see Scripture Memory as “Spiritual Calisthenics” that could threaten our hold on grace and make it all about performance. Similarly, meditation on scripture could be viewed with cautious suspicion as “too Eastern Mysticism sounding.” Besides that, it just sounds HARD! If you join us for this seminar, I’m praying that you’ll leave convinced this is a rich, doable, biblical practice that can be transformative & full of joy for you.
Tom & his wife (Ann) came to faith through The Navigators Military Ministry, while in the Air Force. When his spiritual dad (Steve Draper) suggested memorizing Scripture, Tom pushed back hard. Steve offered Tom $5 if he would memorize five verses, trusting that the Spirit would cause Tom to fall in love with getting to know Jesus more deeply, this way. He was right! Tom can’t wait to share how the Lord has used this practice so richly in his life.
“Having Hard Conversations in Discipleship Relationships” Tara Chamberlain
Discipleship is intentional and relational. God uses it for transformation in the lives of those we meet with face-to-face. Therefore, with discipling comes difficult conversations. Maybe you avoid them or maybe you hit them head-on with little tact. Wherever your struggle lies, there are a few essentials to handling these conversations well. In this workshop, you will learn these essentials and have a chance to process how you can handle your hard conversations.
Tara Chamberlain has served on staff with the Navigators for 12 years at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Minnesota State University-Mankato. She currently helps direct the campus with her husband, Tim, and serves as the Upper Midwest Women’s Regional Liaison. Tara has three children, Isabelle (9), Caleb (7), and Lydia (5).
“Meeting with Jesus in Quiet Time” Ronni Bernardy
In a culture where attention spans are shorter all the time and we struggle to keep pace with the busyness and noise of the world around us, is it possible to set aside regular time to meet with the Lord? Not only is it possible, it is essential! As we grow in our experience of God in His Word, we grow in our love relationship with Him. In this seminar we will talk about how to start wherever you are at in your journey and go a step deeper in your relationship with God in His Word. If you’ve never had a quiet time, if you feel “stuck” in your quiet time, or if you just want some new ideas to try, come and join us!
Ronni Bernardy has served alongside her husband Joe on staff with the Navigators Collegiate Ministries for 40 years. They have served at Michigan State University, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and Kansas State University. This past year they have transitioned to Navigators Encore. Ronni serves as Associate Director. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
“Systematically utilizing your life story to make disciples” Pastor Anthony Bass
Many times, we struggle to figure out how to leverage the biggest resource in our walk with Jesus—the story of our life. As a result, we often turn to limited resources to us like books or other people’s dramatic story in order to highlight an important lesson about our faith. During this seminar, it is my prayer you will learn to utilize an inductive method to mine the story of your life to help others walk closer with Jesus.
Growing up in West Virginia, Anthony Bass was a gifted athlete and fierce competitor. In 1998 Bass was signed on as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings. That year, he was a standout defensive back and part of the team’s amazing 15-1 season. Anthony Bass has been blessed with several opportunities to share God’s word as the featured speaker at countless churches, bible studies and a variety of organizations both nationally and internationally. Anthony Bass resides in Plymouth, MN with his beautiful wife Dawniqua and they are the parents of six children. They planted Endurance Church in Brooklyn Park in the fall of 2014. They are committed to planting churches throughout Minnesota and developing a non-profit organization to foster community restoration and fight human trafficking.
“Falling in Love with Jesus-Going beyond duty and obligation” Larry and Marilyn Hardie
As Christians, what is it that keeps us from falling in love with Jesus with our whole heart? We may be dutiful and faithful yet lack the passion for Jesus so often expressed in the book of Psalms. In this seminar we will explore three main reasons why this is true.
Larry and Marilyn have each served the the Navigators for over 40 years. Larry served in various field assignments before becoming trained as a counselor to Navigator staff. Marilyn has served for 15 years in collegiate ministry and since then has mentored and counseled women in various field assignments.
“Living the Gospel Among Your Friends” Alec Glass
The approach that God took to mission included Jesus growing up and living in a small town for 30 years, working in a trade there, and never traveling more than 100 miles from home. The simplicity of this long-view strategy is also the genius of it. An incarnational way of practicing ministry is something we can all replicate right where God has us as we follow Christ’s example. This workshop will give stories and insights about how we can all share and live the gospel among our friends.
After graduating from Colorado State University with a BS in Civil Engineering, Alec Glass worked with Engineering Ministries International, traveling to Africa to work on design projects serving local ministries. He spent four years managing a neighborhood pub in Seattle with a missional approach to his work and community, where he also worked part-time at a local church. His service with The Navigators includes collegiate ministry at The University of Wyoming and 20s ministry in Seattle and Minneapolis. He’s currently pursuing an MA in Theological Studies at Bethel Seminary.
“Digging Deep Through Inductive Bible Studies” Susie Brooks
What if you could sharpen your observation skills and use them to see Scripture come alive? What if your mind, through the lenses of history, literature and theology, could walk you through the old cities where you would encounter ancient poets and warriors as you gain new understanding, so you can interpret the Word of God correctly? And what if you can learn to apply Scripture in such a way that it will transform you? This hands-on Inductive Bible Study workshop will provide you with the tools you need to help you dig deeper in the Word of God.
Susie has been involved with The Navigators since 1986 and has served in high school, campus, and community ministries in her home country Kenya, as well as England and the Netherlands. Later moving to the Twin Cities, she continued to observe the same need of under-served internationals, and began investing in African professionals living in the suburbs. She then developed a Bible Study Guide titled Redefining Beauty for the Woman of Color and used it to lead both student and staff women at the University of Northwestern in Saint Paul. Following her visionary and entrepreneurial heart, Susie is now pioneering children’s ministry using her newly established private, classical Christian PreK-12 school as a tool to establish and equip high school students before sending them into the world. Susie lives in North Branch with her husband Steve and their son Seraiah (15).
“When You Don’t Look Like Each Other: Disciplemaking Across Cultures” Jane and Ryan Menning
Have you ever tried to enter into a discipling relationship with someone from a different cultural background? Have you ever been discipled by someone who looked different than you? In this seminar we will look at both the big picture of cross-cultural disciplemaking in the Bible as well as practical ideas for entering into those relationships today. All are welcome!
Jane and Ryan love their kids, families and being good news to those around them in Jesus’ name. They have lived overseas for most of their married life and have experienced the realities of being a mixed race couple in different cultural contexts.
“Finishing Strong: Your most fruitful years may be ahead of you!” Joe Bernardy
(recommended for those 55 and older)
The apostle Paul, as he approached the end of his life, said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7. In this seminar we will consider what it means to finish well. We will explore the scriptures, hear some stories, and consider the obstacles and the possibilities for continuing to bear fruit as we get older.
Joe was led to Christ by Navigator friends on his dormitory floor, while a freshman at Minnesota State – Mankato. He and his wife, Ronni, have served in The Navigators Collegiate ministries at Michigan State, South Dakota State, Wisconsin -Eau Claire, and Kansas State University. They are now serving as National Director of Navigators Encore – elder staff who are investing their lives in the next generation.
“Honoring God in the Workplace” Cary Humphries
Cary Humphries, with great appreciation to Almighty God, is 89 years old. He acknowledges biblical ignorance and hence continues to read, study, memorize, and meditate on the Word of God, sharing what he discovers with whomever God puts in his path. Come and learn from Cary as he shares significant life lessons and experiences from making disciples in the workplace.
Here are some of the benchmarks in Cary’s life journey.
- 64 years married
- Retired Senior V.P. with 40 years at Cargill Inc.
- 15 years associated with The Navigators
- Proud father and grandfather with 28 member family
“Living as a Disciple of Jesus in your Neighborhood” Bruce Knutson
In our fast-paced world we often fly through our neighborhood without really getting to know our neighbors or neighborhood concerns. This seminar will focus on thinking about God’s dream for the neighborhood and ways to make genuine connections.
Bruce has served on Navigator staff with his wife, Cindy, for 42 years in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The past 32 years they have lived in the same neighborhood in Lakeville, MN while working for the Navigators in various leadership roles. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
“Growing Disciplemaking in your Church” Roy and Margaret Fitzwater
(recommended for pastors and lay-church leaders)
“We love God and we love His Word, but we just can’t seem to make disciples.” This is a common dilemma we consistently hear from church leaders who are a part of good churches, but they want to be more. They want to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission – “to go and make disciples.” This workshop will cover a proven process based on biblical principles to grow cultures of intentional disciplemaking – to help people thrive! We’ll interact over an assessment of readiness for disciplemaking and discuss needed behavioral shifts.
Roy and Margaret coach and consult with churches of all sizes and denominations. Working with leaders, they focus on key areas of ministry including mission and vision, leadership assessment and development and life-to-life disciplemaking. They recently served as Co-Directors of Navigators Church Ministries and currently lead an international task force for The Navigators and local churches.
“Being Good News to your Muslim Friends & Neighbors” panel discussion
We love Muslims! Jesus invites us to co-labor alongside Him, welcoming them into His kingdom. This seminar will reveal practical, biblical pathways for you to relate to your Muslim neighbors. You will learn surprising ways God is moving among Muslims globally, and hear encouraging stories local stories as well.
“Discipling the iGeneration” Trevor and Cassie Long
As our fast-paced culture continues to change rapidly, each new generation of young people brings unique challenges and opportunities for advancing the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom. Sociologists are calling those born between 1995 and 2012 the iGeneration. They are the first generation to grow up with a smartphone in their hand. Experts say they are entrepreneurial, multi-tasking, private, cynical, hyper-aware, and technology-reliant. They are very different from their predecessors, yet their spiritual needs and desires are still the same. How can we continue to answer their questions and lead them towards Jesus in ways they can relate to and understand?
Trevor and Cassie Long have been leading movements of life-to-life student disciple making in Europe and America for more than 15 years. Trevor currently directs the collegiate ministry at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. They enjoy living in North Minneapolis with their 4 children: Jaden, Josie, Maia, and Tobey.