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An Alien View of God: Western Culture 1

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now ...

Spiritual Decline: Western Culture 3

As the deer pants for streams of water,     so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.     When can I go and meet with God? Ps 42:1,2 The prophet Isaiah had a vision of heavenly creatures declaring: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the ...

Conformity and Challenge: Western Culture 2

I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; ...

Beyond the Age of Reason: Western Culture 5

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,  Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts". Isaiah 55:8-9 Western culture has made a sharp distinction between ...

Viewing Human Achievement: Western Culture 4

   “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3 Each day we are surrounded by people’s incredible achievements. We can purchase almost any food at any time of the year, we have social welfare systems that assist in times of need, ...

The Road to Freedom: Western Culture 9

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire ...

Meditation: Western Culture 10

Some of my strongest childhood memories come from the times I spent on my uncle’s dairy farm. The heat of summer, the cooling of the milk refrigeration room, the sound and smell of the cows. I would seeing them constantly chewing and later learnt they had 4 stomachs and were often “chewing ...

The Good Life: Western Culture 8

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s ...

2020 - January - Living & Discipling in a Western Culture

You can "enter full screen" video mode by clicking on icon to left of Vimeo. Living and Discipling in a Western Culture Handout

Living and Discipling in a Western Culture

G'day from Melbourne - an update

By Mike Johnson, Melbourne Labouring Community  Intercession for the people of our city has been a primary goal for us this year. Beginning with God, we then attempt to pray for the people and great needs of our city based on our meditation on the character and attributes of God. Using ...

Third Culture Kids

By Leah Pieri, first published in Compass Winter 2025 “A ‘Third Culture Kid’ (TCK) is a child who spent a significant portion of their formative years outside their parents’ home culture, often in a different country or environment. This experience leads them to create their own unique ...

Melbourne Fund Raising Dinner Registration

The Authority of the Word of God: A Pillar of Faith

By Grant Dibden, first published in Compass, Summer 2024. In Australia we live in a time characterised by shifting moral values and diverse worldviews. Popular culture tells us to look within to find out who we really are, to ‘be true to ourselves’, which is the key to living full and happy ...

Knowing God

By Scott Brown In the Autumn issue of the Compass, Mike Johnson clearly laid out a few simple and crucial rules to follow when reading and studying the Bible in order to interpret it accurately. If you haven’t read that article on How to Read the Bible Better, I recommend you give it a read ...

Reinforcing our Relationship with God

By Ray Ewers, first published in The Compass, Volume 4 No. 5, September, 1981   One of the things that gripped me when I was first exposed to The Navigators was the motto: "To know Christ and to make Him known." I prayed over it. I preached on it and I shared it as the real purpose for ...

Making God Your Home

by Dr Ian John ‘Whom do I have in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.’ (Psalm 73:25-26) The psalmist was wrestling with his own versions of status anxiety, self-pity and ...

God or Genie?

By Lindsey Swatzentruber, Canberra Labouring Community  How do you respond to unanswered prayer? What do you do with disappointment, waiting, uncertainty, the inability to control a situation, with seeing the grief that it causes those you love? How do you respond after asking God daily, ...

Searchers not far from God at all

By Doug Utley, first printed in The Compass, Volume 13 No. 1, January 1990 Are Australians harder to reach now with the gospel than previously? Certainly it is taking longer to see people come to Christ, and the means of outreach effectively used in the past, such as crusades, missions, surveys ...

God-talk, the Gospel and the Pub

By Luke Midena, first published in Compass Winter edition 2020 Friday afternoons at the ANU campus are a highlight of every week – I get to meet with a group of believing and unbelieving students at a pub, to  discuss life’s big questions around meaning, suffering, belief, freedom and ...

The Power of God's Word From Neighbours to Nations

By an Australian Navigators Labourer Our neighbourhoods are a wonderful place to advance the gospel. My friend, on numerous occasions, has met neighbours from differing cultures with different exposure to Jesus and the Scriptures. With great regularity, I hear how she shares the Scriptures with ...

An Everyday Labourer For God's Kingdom

Kristin Coulson, from Compass, Spring 2018 When you think of a labourer, do the words “manual work, dirty, and hard” come to mind? What is Jesus talking about when he calls us “labourers for the harvest fields” in Matthew 9? Belinda Krause and her husband, Nathan, live in Canberra and ...

Appointment with God

Appointment With God Developing a lifelong consistent relationship with God is an intentional activity that requires; Strategy: A consistent realistic plan. Time: One must find a consistent time that works with busy schedules. Start small and allow the habit to strengthen as consistency ...

From Grant to You - God's Word and the Holy Spirit

First published in Compass Winter 2024 issue. Dear Friend, In [the most recent issue] of Compass, we continue to consider God’s word. Sometimes one group can so emphasise the Bible and another the Holy Spirit, but there is an  intimate connection between the Holy Spirit and the word of ...

The God Who Saves

By Luke Midena, Canberra Labouring Community  I wonder, have you shared about Jesus with someone who seemed to recognise the good news for what it is, but never embraced the message? I’ve often wondered where the process has broken down. Was it me – did I overlook a vital element of the ...

The Word of God at Work

By Macquarie University Student Ministry The Bible stands not only as a primary means by which God shares who He is, but as a foundational means for strengthening and building our relationship with Him. Students involved in Macquarie University Navigators spent a semester studying the book ...

Special Feature: God Bless You, Karen!

Our Time With Karen ... “Good morning, The Australian Navigators. Karen speaking!” For the last 35 years, Karen Woolley has been the face and the voice of The Australian Navigators. Like the Queen of England who has seen her nation through many Prime Ministers, Karen has worked with ...

God's Word Impacting Young Hearts

By Rob Allen (with Angie Allen), Queensland Labouring Community, first published in Compass Winter 2024 issue. Angie and I thank God for having the opportunity to share God’s message of love and hope through His Word with young people over the decades. Many are under enormous social, ...

Thankful for God's Work

By Levi Swartzentruber, Canberra Labouring Community Looking back over the past year with thankfulness and looking forward in faith, I want to share a highlight over the year for me: seeing the work God is doing in and through Tim, who bears similarities to Paul’s Timothy in ...

God Behind the Scenes

By Luke Midena, Canberra Labouring Community Connecting with people during COVID-19 restrictions can be a challenge, but I wanted to share with you a story about Ethan, who I meet with online. Ethan and I started meeting a few years ago, about the time he finished high school. Although he ...

When Man Began to Call on God

TW HUNT When Man Began to Call on God traces the development of prayer in the Bible as God gradually unfolds His plan for a relationship with humanity. Respected author and prayer specialist TW Hunt takes you through the great prayers of the Bible, exploring how the key theme of God’s might ...

From Grant to You - God's Word is Flawless

Dear Friend, Ps 12:6,7 says “The words of the Lord are words that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect”. Proverbs 30:5 tell us, “Every word of God is flawless.” Psalm 119:160 says, “All your ...

2:7 Series, Book 2 Deepening Your Roots in God's Family

DEEPENING YOUR ROOTS IN GOD'S FAMILY - THE 2:7 SERIES Book 2  When a tree takes root, burrowing deep into the soil, it’s not long before the action is mirrored about ground. New branches shoot out. Green, healthy leaves appear. Even the trunk grows sturdier, more storm-resistant. And so it ...

Trusting God

Jerry Bridges WHY IS IT EASIER TO OBEY GOD THAN TO TRUST HIM? Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don't want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us. But the circumstances we find ourselves in often ...

Developing a Taste for God's Word

By Lindsey Swartzentruber, Canberra Labouring Community I have been trying to think of an analogy to explain the newest development with our students and I realised that, really, the closest thing is liver and brussels sprouts. Let me explain… Seven or eight years ago, my research led me ...

How Can God Love Me So?

By Lindsey Swartzentruber I want to try to tell you some of who God has revealed Himself to be this year. There have been three significant stressors in my life this year which have all led me to various ends of my strength. I have been mentally exhausted with no other ideas, no backup plans and ...

How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen

MARK TABB In a world where tragedy and catastrophe strike daily, God's people pray for blessings but feel abandoned. Author Mark Tabb takes readers through the story of Job to show that God has not forsaken us. Readers of all ages will discover an honest, compassionate view of the reason ...

God's Work in Conversations

By Cynthia Mitchell We have a number of Staff who are involved in Conversational English Classes as part of their ministry with Australian Navigators. One of them is Peter.* While Peter has been helping mainly Chinese people learn to speak with confidence, he helps whoever comes through the ...

New Child of God

By June Sparks, Sydney Labouring Community “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 There is rejoicing in heaven and in our house! We have spent time over the past several weeks meeting with K and N to read ...

2:7 Series, Book 3 Bearing Fruit in God's Family

BEARING FRUIT IN GOD'S FAMILY - THE 2:7 SERIES Book 3 When a tree takes root, adds strength, and branches out, it’s not long before fruit appears. And so it is with you. As you choose to root your life in Christ, you’ll become not only stronger but also more fruitful. By walking you ...

2:7 Series, Book 1 Growing Strong in God’s Family

GROWING STRONG IN GOD'S FAMILY - THE 2:7 SERIES Book 1 When a tree takes root, it’s not long before the action is mirrored above ground. New branches shoot out. Green, healthy leaves appear. Even the trunk grows sturdier, more storm-resistant. Because of the roots, the tree becomes firm and ...

Who is God and what is He like?

Is God the centre of your life? Would you like to know Him better? Love Him deeper? Grow to be more like His son, Jesus? We have many resources available to you here one our website. But if you're looking specifically for studies to help you not only to know about Him but to dive deeper in your ...

God is Enough for Me

By Kendrea Dibden, Sydney Labouring Community As a teacher, I know the importance of intentional reflection and analysis to be aware of strengths and shortcomings. Reflexive practice in order to be constantly improving. As a believer this has been a vital part of my walk with the Lord as well. ...

You Can Trust God

JERRY BRIDGES This booklet by Navigator author Jerry Bridges explains the three essential biblical truths about God that we must believe if we are to trust Him in times of trial. It also points out the three crucial elements that helped hymn writer John Newton ("Amazing Grace") to trust God when ...

Expecting God to Work!

By Levi and Lindsey Swartzentruber, Canberra Labouring Community Our new team members, JT and Laine, have only been in the country with us for two months now but already their contribution to God’s work at the ANU is showing… For years we have struggled to gain interest from the students in ...

Drawing Near to the Heart of God

CYNTHIA HEALD Encouragement for Your Lifetime Journey As we travel through life's struggles and joys, we face new crossroads daily that lead to different destinations. It is helpful to have someone prepare and equip you for what to expect and how to make wise choices. No matter where you are ...

10 Things You Should Know About God and Life

GREG LAURIE "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) God has gone on record...what you don't know can hurt you. When it comes to matters of life, death, and eternal destiny, what you know and what you do with that knowledge means everything. Drawing from his top ten most ...

What God Does When Men Pray

WC PEEL Written for men, this study challenges you to go deeper with God. Whether you are new to prayer or a veteran warrior, you will find encouragement, inspiration, and practical tips on how you can get together and affect your world through prayer. Discover: God’s open invitation to ...

Developing the people God has given us

Leading like Jesus—servant leadership—involves leading in a way that benefits and develops the people we lead, the people God has given us.  Developing people means intentionally strengthening their capacity to grow and contribute. This article focuses on this aspect of leadership. Read ...

Why God Created the World

BEN STEVENS "For most of my life, I never thought to ask myself why God created the world. I had asked myself the question, 'why did God create me specifically,' which seemed like a more practical thing to wonder. But the answers I found to that question always struck me as shallow. I think ...

Trusting God With My What-Ifs and Whys

LINDA DILLOW Women worry a lot. They worry about their children, their friends, their careers, their families, their spouses―the list could go on and on. Yes, they want to be content and trust God with their worries, but it’s a struggle to let go and find freedom from the burden of ...

Prayer: Beholding God's Glory

By an Unknown Christian Starting with the question "What is prayer?", this little book goes on to consider how prayer can help us "see" God's glory. Includes discussion on proper preparation for praying and answers the question, "Must we agonise in prayer?" • Includes questions for action and ...

Claire Ling – What God should be like!

Claire Ling – What God should be like! from The Australian Navigators on Vimeo.

God Who Smokes, The

TIMOTHY STONER Scandalous Meditations on Faith Emergent theology is raising some of the most provocative and divisive questions in the church today. For some, these ideas embody the true spirit of the gospel, trading tired religion for authenticity and relevance. Others dismiss it as a heresy ...

Leadership Series, Part 1 - God's Servant

Doug Sparks

Believe God - Jeremiah 33:3

Dawson Trotman

Meditation on God's Word

Jim Downing

Becoming a Man God Can Use

Max Barnett

Leadership Series, Part 2 - God's Steward

Doug Sparks

Leadership Series, Part 3 - God's Shepherd

Doug Sparks

Love of God

Billy Graham

Word of God, The

Dr John Ridgway

Is God Really in Control? - 2007 Conf. Talk

Jerry Bridges

Daws: A Man Who Trusted God

BETTY LEE SKINNER Dawson Trotman revolutionised the practice of evangelism and founded The Navigators, one of the most widespread and respected Christian organisations in the world today. This moving historical account, drawn from the memories of those whose lives Dawson touched and from the ...

Navigators Passion - Transforming Lives Through The Word of God

Navigators Passion from The Australian Navigators on Vimeo.

Navigators Passion - The Truth and Power of God's Word

Navigators Passion from The Australian Navigators on Vimeo.

The God Who Calls - 2023 Conf Message 1

Jonah 1: God's Heart for the Nations

Jonah 2: God's Messenger for the Nations

Jonah 3: God's Harvest Field

Jonah 4: Our Partnership with God

Why Celebrate ANZAC Day?

By Grant Dibden A little over 100,000 Australians have died in wars. Several hundred thousand more were wounded and countless others suffered psychological damage. Of these casualties the vast majority were between 18 and 25 years old. Just think that if you had been born 100 years earlier it ...

"As the Father has sent me..."

By Bruce Clarke, first published in Compass, Spring 2019 The word “mission” has its origin from the Latin “mittere” used to translate the Greek “apostele”, giving us the word “apostle”. It has the meaning of God sending and people being sent for the purpose of salvation and ...

2021 - January - Community & Character

All the Notes and Power Points from this time can be downloaded from the bottom of the page. You can "enter full screen" video mode by clicking on icon to left of vimeo from the bottom right hand corner. Living and Discipling in a Western Culture ...

Into the Nations – Workshops

Saturday Morning The Bible Isn’t Flat: Reading God’s Word with Wisdom (Part 1) – Mike Johnson God is the Great Communicator – He speaks to be understood so His people may know His nature, will, and ways, and respond with faithful obedience. Yet His Word comes through diverse human ...

What is ISM (International Student Ministry)?

Among our Communities is a strong International Students Ministry (ISM) within our universities. But what is ISM and how did it start? Compass interviewed Tim Mapperson for an insight. Tim, what is ISM and what is your involvement in this ministry? ISM is a door to the nations. Exciting ...

Generational, Relational, Intentional, Personal

By Dustyn McLaren, South-East Queensland Labouring Community It is such a privilege to serve the Lord in the Great Commission and, even more so, to enjoy His friendship. John 15:15 says, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have ...

Setup

1. How to create your MPDX Account Go to MPDX.org like the video states but you might need to create your account rather than sign in. You will be asked to connect your account to our Navigators system . When asked, use the credentials below : - Organization: The Navigators-Australia - ...

Called to Follow the Fruit

By Tim Mapperson, Melbourne Labouring Community It was mid-June. Stepping out into the cold winter night, we closed the door for the last time. We had been meeting at this Community Centre in Carlton for many years as a campus ministry. Tonight was to be our final night. This season was coming ...

Get To Know Doug and Geneve Utley

Doug and Geneve Utley are lifelong labourers from our Melbourne community. Doug has served previously as National Director, and he and Geneve have worked with many students and graduates, couples and emerging leaders over the years. He has produced resources such as the Enriching Your Marriage ...

Cultural Shifts

By Kristin Coulson, first published in Compass Winter 2020 edition. In January, our staff gathered for the annual training in Canberra. One of the key topics discussed was about living and discipling in today’s western culture. The culture we live in influences us in ways we often don’t ...

Get To Know Clint and Leigh Ann Trebesh

Clint and Leigh Ann have served on staff with The Navigators since 2004. They have worked in camp and conference ministry, led disciple-making work among university students, and laboured with multiple city teams, before moving to Melbourne earlier this year. This is the unabridged version of their ...

Cries of the Soul

By Bruce Clarke, first printed in Compass, Spring 2015 All of us will experience suffering or adversity at some point in our lives. Some fall away when God does not deal with them in a way that they desire. But it is also true that many come to faith when adversity strikes. Adversity can ...

Go!

By Mary Merrill, friend and faithful supporter of Australian Navigators. We’re a family that loves an adventure – “Go” is an inviting word. So, when we had the opportunity to move to Spain with work, we were thrilled. More than an adventure, we love the Lord and want to be obedient to ...

Our Staff Job Studies

From Grant Dibden We had a wonderful time considering several of our staff Job studies during the year. It is such a packed book and we were challenged as we reflected back over the whole book, its themes and big lessons as part of our final study time. The book of Job explores why God ...

Going Deeper in the Essentials

God must be the focus of all that we do. We want to deepen our relationship with Him by growing our understanding of the Scriptures and through prayer. We want to encounter God; to know Him, not only to know about Him. "Going Deeper in the Essentials" is a series of seven comprehensive Bible ...

Get to Know Dustyn and Hannah McLaren

Dustyn and Hannah are from our South East Queensland Labouring Community. Dustyn joined our Staff last year. We interviewed him for our Compass Newsletter Autumn 2023 issue. How did you come into relationship with Jesus? At the ripe age of five in October of 1987 I remember contemplating a ...

A Heart for the Nations

By Julie, Short-Term Missions Team, first published in Compass, Spring 2019 My husband and I have always had a deep burden for the nations and a longing to see labourers for the Kingdom next door to everywhere. One thing this burden has prompted us to do is to lead a number of short-term ...

Lifetime Kingdom Labourers

By Frank Tully It was my first week living back in Australia when at the end of a Navigators conference I needed a ride back to my temporary home in Sydney. Mike & Siân said they lived near my friend’s house and would be glad to drop me along the way. Little did we know, that was ...

Going Deeper in the Essentials Studies

Study 1 – God: Who Is He? God is the ultimate reality! Building His Kingdom is entirely His idea, for His purpose, using His power and for His glory! Therefore, we MUST be aligned with His heart, His mind and His Spirit. That means having a God-focused culture is essential. In this study we ...

The shocking call to discipleship

by Colin Duthie, first published in Compass, Spring 1997 Among the most threatening words in the Bible for me are those of Jesus in John 20:21, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." The fact of the commission is clear. The scary bit comes from reflecting on the underlying question, ...

History

Just an Ordinary Guy The Navigators ministry began in the 1930s, when a young California lumberyard worker caught a vision. After seeing the benefits of basic discipleship principles in his own life, Dawson Trotman wanted to teach them to others, echoing the call of 2 Timothy 2:2: "And the things ...

An Easter Reflection

By Grant Dibden "To me it makes as much sense as bunny rabbits handing out chocolate eggs ..." Easter in Australian society is thought of as a holiday time.  And many – most? – people don’t understand the significance of Easter, and often they don’t want to. A local Eastern Sydney ...

On Mission

A three-part piece by June Sparks The God of Mission It is hard to separate God from His mission. God’s mission in the world and history is to reveal Himself. He has entered the world through Christ, bringing reconciliation between humankind and Himself. When we look at it, we see the focus on ...

Monash International Students Ministry Conference 2026

Mt Evelyn Discovery Camp 70 Tramway Rd, Mount Evelyn VIC 3796 10-12 April 2025 With Guest Speakers: Bernard & Lilian Lee, who are trained English teachers from Singapore. Over a period of 45 years they have discipled young people who today walk with and serve the Lord in several ...

A Glimpse of the Gospel Through Abraham

By Luke Midena, Canberra Labouring Community.  Two recent themes we have explored as Australian Navigators are: sharing the gospel through story and understanding the grand story of history as outlined in Scripture.  Let’s bring these two themes together and incorporate our national ...

Living with Christ as Lord

By Scott Brown, Sydney City Leader (first published in Compass Autumn 2023) From the earliest days of the Navigators, Dawson Trotman’s Wheel Illustration highlighted the importance of living with Christ as Lord, or as he termed it, with Christ the Centre. Galatians 2:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 ...

Belonging Before Believing

By Luke Midena, Canberra Community Leader, first published in Compass Winter 2021 edition You may have heard the phrase, ‘belong before believe’. It was the catchcry of some within the Emerging Church Movement of the last few decades. Driven by a desire to share Christ with the world, ...

The Bridge

Step 1 – God’s Love and His plan God created us in His own image to be His friend and to experience a full life assured of his love, abundant and eternal. Jesus said, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b) “…we have peace with God through ...

Growing in Godliness

By Thomas Bielenberg, first published in Compass Summer issue 2023 What would you say if asked, “What is godliness?” You might think that godliness is good conduct, or bearing the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, etc. But godliness is more than that, as I thankfully ...