About - Navigators

About Navigators

Here's what you need to know about us!

The Navigators is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, The Navigators has spread to more than 100 countries. The Navigators family includes our staff and those who work alongside our staff, whose hearts beat with the passion of our motto: “To Know Christ and to Make Him Known®.”
We are a community of hundreds of thousands of everyday people who influence others for God’s glory in our normal pathways of life.

The mission of The Navigators is to advance the gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through life-on-life mentoring—or discipling—relationships with people, and equipping them to do the same for others. It’s what we call “generational multiplication,” as described in 2 Timothy: And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).

What is a Navigator?
What sets us apart as Navigators is this distinctive phrase in our Calling statement: “generations of laborers, living and discipling among the lost.” The Navigators founder Dawson Trotman described what we today call “laborers” (from Matthew 9:36-38 ESV): “A reproducing Christian doesn’t have to be an orator, and he doesn’t have to have a stimulating personality. He doesn’t have to be beautiful or have an outstanding education . . . I believe it’s time that all the children of God, each one of them, began to think of himself as a producer and to think of those he reaches for Christ as reproducers. Don’t be satisfied until you see your grandchildren in the Lord and then, in time, some great-grandchildren.” (The Navigator, p. 156).

Here’s what stands above all else when we consider what a “Navigator” is: someone who engages in our broken world, bringing good news to those yet to know Christ. Through life-to-life discipleship, they help people grow deeper in relationship with Jesus Christ, and teach them how to do the same for others—producing spiritual generations of disciples. Through each of us, God can cause a ripple of spiritual generations that will change the world!

The passion to know, love, and become like Jesus Christ.

One

The truth and sufficiency of the Scriptures for the whole of life.

Two

The transforming power of the gospel.

Three

The leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

Four

Expectant faith and persevering prayer rooted in the promises of God.

Five

The dignity and value of every person.

Six

Love and grace expressed among us in community.

Seven

Families and relational networks in discipling the nations.

Eight

Interdependent relationships in the Body of Christ in advancing the gospel.

Nine

Our statement of faith is the core foundation for our ministry. We believe:

That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
In one God, the Creator; eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and that He was and remains true God and true man.
That God created Adam and Eve in the divine image; that they sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that, as a result of Adam’s sin, all human beings are now born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God.
That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.
In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate.
In the blessed hope of the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
That all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
That the Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual life to all believers, enables them to understand biblical truth, empowers them for godly living, and equips them for service and witness.
In the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.

Mutua Mahiaini

International President (based in Colarado Springs, USA)

Mutua Mahiaini has been serving with The Navigators for more than 36 years—first, as a staff member, then as national director in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire before being appointed Africa regional director in 1998. Mutua committed his life to Christ as a child and was discipled by The Navigators. Mutua has a master’s degree in French and taught in Kenya before joining The Navigators staff in 1981. Mutua and his wife, Stephanie, were married in 1982 and have four adult children.

Bulus Silas Bossan

Africa Regional Director (based in Nairobi Kenya)

Bulus Silas Bossan has been serving with The Navigators for more than 33 years—first, as a staff member, then as national director in Nigeria (1994-2004); and Africa Regional Team member with responsibility for Africa-wide Cross-cultural missions and Eastern Africa sub-regional block (2003-2011). Bulus committed his life to Christ as a University Student where he was also discipled by The Navigators. Bulus has a degree in Quantity Surveying and worked in the construction industry in Nigeria, rising to middle-level management before joining The Navigators staff in 1985. Bulus and his wife, Salama, were married in 1987 and have four adult daughters

Phibion Gwatidzo

Zimbabwe Country Director

Phibion Gwatidzo has been serving with The Navigators for more than 29 years—first, as an insider in the community ministry leading couples ministry, between 1994 and 1997 he served on Uganda Navigators’ leadership team serving as an insider with the community ministry, He has also served as students ministry leader, then as national director in Zimbabwe. Phibion committed his life to Christ in 1978 and met the Navigators as student in 1985. Phibion was discipled by The Navigators and has lives the Navigators vision and values. Phibion qualified as Chartered Accountant in 1991 and currently practices as a Chartered Accountant in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana were he has established Accounting Firms. He serves as Country Director while managing Baker Tilly in four countries. Phibion serves on Baker Tilly International EMEA Advisory Council and chairs Baker Tilly International’s Africa Region. Phibion and his wife, Mary, were married in 1989 and have 2 adult children and 2 grand children.

A heart for the whole person, climates of grace, compassion for the vulnerable and broken, sacrificial unity embracing diversity, cultural relevance and sensitivity, interdependence with others in the wider family of God, transformed men and women, fragrant with humility and the aroma of Christ.

They are marked by a deep engagement with and obedience to the Scriptures as the Word of God. They believe the promises of God. Both personally and in committed communities, they seek to know and pursue the purposes of God.

Laborers and leaders are emerging, with an increasing passion for Jesus Christ. They demonstrate faith and courage as they live and move among their friends and families. As spiritual parents, they model authenticity and relevance.

Ordinary people, in many walks of life, are joyfully leading integrated lives. They live as fruitful insiders among the lost. There is perseverance in the face of hardship and suffering. Around the world, many are coming to faith. As they become established in discipleship, some grow to be foundational for further generations. The Gospel spreads naturally and powerfully, as believers share Christ, life upon life, family to family.