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Solid Rock Ministry ... on radio!

As we have just taken time to reflect on our past during Anzac Day and what it means to us now and for our future as Australians and New Zealanders, may we also be reminded that we still have men and women in areas of conflict around the world. Supporting those brave officers are their families, ...

Retreat Feedback

National Conference 2027 - DRAFT

We can't wait to see you at our National Conference on x-x October 2027 at XXXXX, NSW!  "...I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through ...

National Conference 2025

We can't wait to see you at our National Conference on 3-6 October 2025 at Galston, NSW!  "...I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through ...

Conference Confirmation

Hi Thanks for completing your Conference/Event registration. If you did not receive an email confirmation within minutes please do the following: 1. Check your Spam folder just in case. 2. Email or call the office stating you have not received your Confirmation email after registering.   ...

From a Conference First-Timer...

By Jaye Cox, Compass, Winter 2018 I knew in my heart that my family needed to attend the conference, but there was still that feeling of being “newbies in a well-established village.” Got there and - BOOM! - you get the impression from Mike Treneer that he has really lived what ...

National Conference 2017

Labouring for a Lifetime “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out labourers into his harvest field.” (Matt 9:37-38) With all the resources of heaven at his disposal, Jesus looked over the helpless crowds and encouraged his ...

National Conference 2023

Being a Disciple and Making Disciples Who Make Disciples MESSAGES & TESTIMONIES "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey ...

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 ...

National Conference 2019

Neighbours to Nations Embracing God’s Vision for His Kingdom "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have ...

Conference Talks

To listen to the messages given by the Main Speakers at our National Conferences, please choose from the menu.

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2023 National Conference Feedback Form

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International Navigators

The Navigators is an international inter-denominational Christian Mission Organisation. We are a global movement. Statistics for the Navigators do not really capture what we do, but they may give you an idea of the breadth of the ministry. We have over 5000 staff in more than 100 ...

Come - Be an Overcomer

A reflection on the 2025 Monash International Student Ministry Conference by Arnetta Wijaya, Melbourne Labouring Community Over the mid-semester break, the Monash Navigators International Student Ministry (ISM) held our annual conference, a time filled with laughter, reflection, growth and, ...

A Place Called ... Navigators

A pictorial update by Grant Dibden Jeanette and I recently had a week in Victoria, part holiday and part work. Most of our time was in Melbourne, but we were coming home via Ballarat when we discovered that there was a place nearby called Navigators. Of course, we had to visit! First of ...

Who are the Navigators?

The Navigators is a global discipleship movement of people who want to move forward in their relationship with Jesus and impact the world for Him. We invest deeply in people to see their lives transformed. Our heart is to lead wherever God asks so that, together, we can see the Gospel spread and ...

How is Navigators supported?

How is the Navigators funded? The Navigators is funded by gifts from individuals, churches and businesses. The impact of this ministry is significantly made possible by your financial generosity, prayers and sacrifice of time. Thank you! How can I support Navigators’ work? You can ...

Navigators Passion - Transforming Lives Through The Word of God

Navigators Passion from The Australian Navigators on Vimeo.

Navigators Passion - Loving Communities

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.

Congo Ministry of the Navigators

Congo Ministry of the Navigators from The Australian Navigators on Vimeo.

The Great Commission: The Mission of The Navigators

by Lorne Sanny (former President of The Navigators), reprinted from "The Compass", September 1981 Just before Jesus left earth and ascended into heaven He gave some last instructions. These were in the form of a commission, which we call the Great Commission . . . words to be obeyed by all ...

"You Teach Him!" — The Beginning of The Navigators

First published in The Compass, Volume 3 No. 4, July, 1980 Some years ago, there was a sailor on the U.S.S. West Virginia who had joined the navy with the idea of saving up enough money in order to enter Bible seminary after his period of service was ended. In the navy he lost track of his ...

Navigators Vision Interview

Grant Dibden

Military

Navigators have been involved with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 1971. We have networks comprised of people whose love for God overflows in a passion to take the Gospel to the lost and lead disciples who make other disciples. Our communities are composed of people from all ranks, and an ...

Connecting People to Christ Through Stories

By Phil McMaster  With most States and Territories locked down in some way due to the pandemic, we have been thinking and praying about meaningful ways to keep connecting people with Christ. Thankfully, God recently provided an opportunity to do this - through stories. “My Story, My God” is ...

Thank You for Time Out!

Your partnership has enabled our staff to take some time away to retreat to the beautiful Blue Mountains, just outside of Sydney, in November 2018. While we had no formal meetings or teaching sessions, the Staff Retreat was a time to slow down and individually reflect on the glory of God, ...

Halfway There

By Paul Bailey, Melbourne Labouring Community Here we are, midway through 2025, reflecting on all the good the Lord has done, but also looking ahead in faith for what is to come. It has been a number of months since I was able to give a comprehensive update on all that's been happening! So ...

A Focus On Scripture Memory

By Sharon Yong, Melbourne Labouring Community (International Student Ministry, Monash), first published in Compass Winter 2023 As Navigators, we have a focus on the basics. In our Monash Uni ISM, we use the acronym POWER (ie. Prayer-Outreach-Word-Equipping-Relationships) to help keep our focus. ...

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 ...

How to Study the Bible

As we grow in Christ, it’s important that we learn to dig into the Word of God for ourselves and not depend solely on the instruction of others. Consider the challenge from the writer of Hebrews: Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about ...

Your Questions Answered! – by Julianne McMaster

By Julianne McMaster, first published in Compass, Summer 2020 Julianne McMaster and her husband, Phil, are involved in the Military Ministry of the Australian Navigators. In particular, Julianne oversees the Solid Rock Ministry. We wanted her thoughts on Teaching and Leadership. “See One, ...

Military Alongsiders

In Acts 15 Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”  Acts 15:36  Paul knew that for his ministry to be the most effective and have the most impact he couldn’t just set up these ...

The Words of Eternal Life

By Phil McMaster (Military Community Leader) on behalf of the team, Thomas and Raylee Bielenberg (ADFA and RMC) and Julianne McMaster (Solid Rock) I don’t know about you but I love reading the Bible with children. It is a special moment as the words bring excitement, joy and amazement from ...

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 ...

2026 - January - For Your Joy

January National Training: 'For Your Joy' Counting it All Joy by Luke Midena https://vimeo.com/1174642124?fl=ip&fe=ec Salvation that Brings Joy by Paul Bailey https://vimeo.com/1174630789?fl=ip&fe=ec Surrender that Brings Joy by Clint ...

John Ridgway - The Influence of One Man

A Tribute by Robin Dennis “The least one shall become a thousand and the smallest one a mighty nation” ~ Isaiah 60:22 I was working in Canberra at Parliament House and living in one of the many public servant hostels, Lawley House, which had two sections – the old and the new. Newcomers ...

Get To Know - Ian and Helen McIntosh

After ten years of providing counselling and training, and being on the Leadership Team among other things, with the US Navigators, Ian and Helen McIntosh have decided to return to Australia. With open arms, we welcomed them back and took the opportunity to catch up on what they are doing now. They ...

Into the Nations – Registration Cost

National Conference 2025 Cost   Cost ADULT $ 440 COUPLE $ 880 Student $ 370 FAMILY with children under 5yo $ 880 FAMILY with 1 child 5-12yo $ 1135 FAMILY with 1 child 13yo and over $ 1170 FAMILY with 1 child 13yo and over and 1 child in ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

I Heard the Voices of Angels

Earlier this month, our National Director, Grant Dibden, and his wife, Jeanette, joined the Tonga Conference and celebrated 40 years of Navigator Ministry there. Here is just a snippet of what happened as shared by Grant... What an inspiring experience our trip to Tonga was! Not only did we ...

Lessons on Renewal

By James Broad, first printed in "The Compass", May 1987 Renewal is something God does at conversion (Titus 3:5). Renewal is something that is also to happen on a daily basis; something we are to participate in (Ephesians 4:22-24). Renewal is something which Jesus Christ is working at ...

Get To Know Sarah Vernon

Sarah has been part of our Australian Navigators family for several years and recently joined one of our Short-Term Mission Trips. We interviewed her for the Winter 2025 Issue of Compass, our newsletter, where an abridged version of her interview was first published. How did you come into ...

Events

We would love to see you at our community gatherings and appreciate your prayers if you are unable to join us! Keep this page bookmarked.   National July - Mission Trip 28-30 August - National Council Meeting 16-20 November - Annual Staff Retreat Late 2026 (TBA) - Mission ...

Advancing the Kingdom in Indonesia

When our brothers and sisters recognised the enormous impact poverty was having on their younger generation, God gave them an overwhelming desire to help.  So, they began some whole-of-life discipleship ministries centred around education with children from local families, high school students and ...

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 ...

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 ...

Leadership, Partnership and Discipleship!

Next Gen Leadership Forum and Staff Finance Seminar By Levi Swartzentruber  We had the privilege of having Chee Hoe and Bit, Mike, and Glen from the Asia Pacific (AP) leadership team join us for a weekend of learning about “Leading Like Jesus”. We heard examples of other leaders in ...

Thank you for helping us!

Thank you for helping to keep our labourers labouring! As Navigators we are passionate about making disciples, and we know that as our partners you are too. We want to be and make disciples who will labour for a lifetime, not just for a season. But we can’t do this by ourselves. So we thank ...

Remembering Harvey Soderholm

Compiled by June Sparks, first published in Compass, Winter 2020 edition. Remembering Harvey Soderholm: A link in the Chain Harvey Soderholm was a lifelong labourer who served the Lord with The Navigators from the 1950s. He passed away on 11 June 2019, after suffering a cardiac arrest the ...

Get to Know Lashan

Lashan Wijesingha has been a part of our Melbourne Labouring Community for a number of years, journeying alongside our student ministry team as well as training in leadership. We asked him about his relationship with Jesus and his source of joy.  How did you come into relationship with ...

Josiah Road Student Guide

LUKE & HAROLD HARPER Josiah Road is a spiritual development study that focuses on encouraging students to stand up and lead as Christians in the student community. Inspired by King Josiah’s nation-leading skills, this study examines the young king’s impact on his community, even at a ...

Revolution of Character

DALLAS WILLARD & DON SIMPSON Dallas Willard's Renovation of the Heart has become established as a classic guide to the spiritual life. In this abridged version, Don Simpson makes its riches more easily available for devotional use. The authors believe that we fail in the spiritual life ...

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 ...

Remembering Dr John Ridgway

By Mike Swan I met John for the first time on 19 June 1972. In a few months, that will be fifty years ago. I know the date as well as I know my birthday, because it became my ‘new birth’ day. In the space of 48 momentous hours, I travelled ‘the road less travelled’ from unbelief to faith ...

Jerry White Visits

American author, scientist and retired Major General Jerry White visited Australia in June this year. He was the third International President of The Navigators, serving for 18 years, and succeeded in 2005 by Mike Treneer. A respected and well-known Christian author, conference speaker and a ...

Your Questions Answered about Mutua

Mutua Mahiaini is our current International President and was scheduled to be our keynote speaker at the upcoming National Conference in October. (While the conference itself has been cancelled, Mutua is still preparing to send us his messages.) But ... Who is Mutua Mahiaini? Prior to joining ...

Compass Feature: David Turner

Interview by June Sparks David Turner Reflects on Compass David Turner has been behind the scenes or at the helm of Compass for over 30 years. He’s seen its transition from no colour to two colour to four colour to full colour. Compass has always been about connecting with the Australian ...

What or who is a Disciple?

By Robin Dennis Discipleship is nothing new. We find the concept of a disciple – that is, a person following a master – among Plato, Socrates and Herodotus; in ancient Hebrew culture, Elisha (2 Kings 4:38), Isaiah (8:16), Samuel (1 Sam 10:5), then we know that John the Baptist had ...

From Grant to You

Dear Friend, Discipleship means many things to many people, and you can’t go to one verse and get the Bible’s definition of discipleship. Its root meaning is follower or pupil, a learner. Today we think of a learner as someone who wants to know what the teacher knows, but a biblical ...

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 ...

Karen's Retirement Gift

         Karen Woolley has just transitioned to semi-retirement and will only be working two days a month. She has been working in our Nav Office for 35 years and has moved with the Office from inner Sydney to Blaxland to Melbourne to Canberra and back to Sydney – now that is ...

Six Critical Factors of a Multiplying Ministry

You may have already come across or even completed some of the studies in The Six Critical Factors of a Multiplying Ministry series while browsing through our site. The Six Critical Factors ... is a series of comprehensive studies, prepared by Grant Dibden, and includes the following topics: CF1 ...

Partners! Together!

Labouring Together! The partnership of believers all over the world is a testament to God’s grace at work. Through our worldwide partnerships, we are able to help our  Navigator brothers and sisters to advance the gospel in various contexts amongst the nations. At the National Conference ...

Alone

By Andy Braner Despite hundreds of Instagram friends and thousands of text messages, why do students feel so alone? It’s a sad irony that today’s students have never been more connected―and have never felt more isolated. Andy Braner believes the answer lies in showing students how to build ...

Hope in the Midst of Despair

By Grant Dibden, first printed in "Compass", Winter 1999. Edited for this version. On 23 March 1991 our son Ian died the day before his first birthday. He had contracted bacterial meningitis and died within 24 hours of exhibiting his first symptoms. I think it was the hardest thing Jeanette and ...

Disciple Making

JOHN SYPKES A Practical Guide to Establishing New Believers Disciple Making is a step-by-step practical book designed for those who choose to fulfil the Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-20. It is a down-to-earth, helpful aid based solidly in the Scriptures and personal ...

Silver and Gold: Stories of Special Friendships

LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD AND EVA MARIE EVERSON Some friendships have the radiance of silver. Others prove solid like gold. And these relationships grow in value as the years pass. In this heartwarming book, women honor their endearing and enduring friendships. Most recall good times together. ...

Vulnerable People Policy

Purpose The Australian Navigators is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment to all vulnerable people by ensuring Australian Navigators’ staff, associates and volunteers are screened and suitable to be engaged in the provision of services in work involving children and other ...

People of Passion

The early followers of Jesus were called ‘people of the way’. This was long before the term ‘Christian’ was coined. Perhaps it came from Jesus’ words ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life' (John 14:6). People of Passion* is here to help you on your way, following Jesus, The Way. It ...

A Sunny Update

By Dustyn McLaren UniSc O-Week 2025 is coming! Starts Feb 17! It’s exciting to be preparing to get back to Uni ministry for 2025. Who but God knows what lies ahead and whose path he will bring us across! Please be in prayer for us as we prepare those who are joining us for Orientation ...

Get To Know Lynn Pak

Lynn Pak is our National Administrator and has been with Australian Navigators for 15 years. For our Winter 2024 issue of Compass, we asked her a few questions to help us get to know her better. While the printed newsletter gave us a snippet, we get a deeper insight into her heart for the ministry ...

New Merchandise Order Page

Bucket Hats - $35   Reinforced brim with stitching detail, side eyelets Light-Mid weight 100% cotton One size fits all: 61cm circumference, 9cm height         New 2025 Tee - $30 Regular fit, Crew neck, Mid weight, 180 GSM 100% combed organic ...

Our Navigator Family in the UK

By Jeanette Dibden Grant and I lived in England in 1989 and on the way there we travelled to Kenya. We were going to go on a safari camping trip but found ourselves in Nairobi and unable to hire a sleeping bag. Grant’s solution was to ring the Navigators (listed in the phone book – remember ...

Discipling Men

By Thomas Bielenberg, Canberra Labouring Community Here's what's been happening in the ADFA/RMC Community recently: Caleb is discipling Eddy and leading a Bible study Caleb* will be discipling Eddy* this week while I’m away. We have been meeting Eddy together most weeks as I hand him over ...

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 ...

An Appealing Message?

By Luke Midena, Canberra Labouring Community Is this an appealing message? This was a question asked by a young man in our discipleship training group over dinner recently. In an era where people crave authenticity and evidence of God’s power, Simon*— who has been battling significant ...

Workshop Notes 2017

  Forgiveness, Repentence, Reconciliation, Restitution in Disciplemaking This paper by Grant Dibden explores what the Scriptures say on the issues of forgiveness, seeking justice, loving your enemy, dealing with conflict, and more. Workshop with Grant Dibden   Getting Started, ...

2026 - Mid-Year Training

Training is coming up and we are looking forward to seeing you there! Where: Elkanah Lodge and Conference Centre, 975 Buxton-Marysville Rd, Marysville VIC 3779 When: Tuesday, 30 June (arrive by 1:00pm) to Thursday, 2 July (departing at 1:30pm) Transportation and Flights: For everyone who ...

The Power of Example

By Grant Dibden Ever been challenged by Example? Landing at the airport in Tonga for a conference, I was met by a softly-spoken man—Tevita Palu (CEO and Owner of Palu Aviation, which owns several companies including Real Tonga Airlines). I was later informed that Tevita has invited ...

Shaping Our Faith Directions

By Grant Dibden "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Isaiah 49:6 Jeanette and I, along with 85 ...

Identifying as a Labourer

By Robin Dennis, from Compass, Spring 2018 The Navigators define a labourer as: “Ordinary people who are growing in their intimacy with Jesus and who are working in the harvest (living and discipling among the lost) with a generational mindset.” To work in the harvest (living and ...

Privacy Policy

The Australian Navigators is committed to complying with the National Privacy Principles. Collection and Use Names, contact details and other information provided by supporters and interested friends are collected on behalf of The Australian Navigators for the purpose of maintaining The ...

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One-to-one: Matters of love and encouragement

By James Broad, first printed in Compass January 1986, Vol 9 No 1 The first seminar I ever attended on the subject of one-to-one ministry was in a car, in Derbyshire, on a rainy March day in 1967. There was only two of us in the car and the subjects covered were the importance of the individual ...

Small Initiatives

By June Sparks, first published in Compass Winter edition 2020 At the Neighbours to Nations Conference, I was reminded once again and encouraged to continue taking small step-by-step initiatives in the lives of those around me in the process of pointing them to Jesus. Jesus said the greatest ...

Navigator, Dawson Trotman, The

Into a complacent generation God placed Dawson Trotman. Full of contagious zeal, drive, and creativity, Trotman helped awaken those around him and exhorted Christians to single-mindedly obey God. Thousands responded to his challenge of fruitful discipleship. Now his challenge goes to you. The ...

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 ...

Conferences

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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 ...

2024 - January - Authority of Scripture & Biblical Interpretation

It is important to build confidence in the authority and inspiration of the Bible, and to anchor our story within the Biblical meta-narrative. Developing good Biblical interpretation practices and enriching theology in the central aspects of the Gospel will enhance a correct view of God and ...

2023 - January - The Gospel & Discipleship

What is the Gospel? (Grant Dibden) Audio (53 mins): What is the Gospel? (mp3) PowerPoint: What is the Gospel? (pptx) Discipleship Framework (Grant Dibden) Audio (27 mins): Disciple Definition and Discipleship Framework (mp3) PowerPoint: Disciple Definition and Discipleship Framework ...

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 ...