My life has been deeply touched by rubbing shoulders with several staff members over the past 45 years:  Warren and Ruth Myers, Bruce and Marg Van Wyk, and Mutua and Stephanie Mahiaini. Their intentional love and commitment to Jesus Christ, their life testimonies for the Gospel, have resonated deeply in my heart over the years. And I cannot forget the legacy staff team and their encouragement and prayer support in my life. Who am I that they should care so much? Each of these individuals reveal the true heart of Jesus, who opens His arms to all willing to come and receive Him as their Lord and Savior.

Somewhere over the course of my parents’ lives The Navigators crossed their path and made a lasting impression. At the time of their death, they requested that family and friends send a gift in their memory to The Navigators ministries.

To see men and women of any age, walk of life, and nationality faithfully discipled and increase in wisdom and knowledge of God’s Word motivates me. I am grateful to dedicate proceeds from my family estate through my will for The Navigators ministries.

Every legacy donation will be blessed by the hand of God. God has entrusted us with the financial blessings we have. Every gift, whether small or large, God will multiply. It is a privilege and honor to see individuals come to know and grow in Christ through giving. Please consider how God would have you bless The Navigators ministries through becoming a legacy donor. 

Steve was born and raised in Seattle. His mother, Jeanene, was a very strong Christian, and a prayer warrior “whose ministry was spent on her knees.” When Steve was a freshman at the University of Washington, a friend took him to a Navigator Bible study. He said, “After a few months, I realized that although I believed in God, I had never accepted Christ as both Savior and Lord. That year I gave my whole life to Christ and learned the importance of a daily quiet time, Bible study, Scripture memory, Life-to-Life® discipleship, and evangelism.”

Unexpectedly, his parents both died of undiagnosed cancer within eight months of each other and Steve received an inheritance from the sale of their home. Steve shared, “I felt led to honor God by giving away a portion of my inheritance for His glory and to advance His Kingdom. God spoke to me through Proverbs 3:9,10, a verse that I had memorized back in college.”

Shortly thereafter, he read about The Navigators Charitable Gift Annuity which allowed him to remember his mom while helping others to know Christ. The annuity enabled Steve to give back to the ministry that gave him his Christian foundation, while receiving an income tax deduction and fixed payments for his lifetime. “The fixed payments I am receiving are allowing me to further my passion, which is to provide funding for humanitarian aid and discipleship resources for children living in poverty in Latin America.”

Mac and Mary McRobbie lived in California and were longtime friends and supporters of The Navigators. Mac’s death preceded Mary’s by just five weeks. Their hard working and generous spirits blessed many who came through their home. Through thoughtful legacy planning they cared for their family and also left a portion of their estate to a number of different ministries, including The Navigators. Meeting their four children and spouses, I was struck by their peace and joy, but most of all their deep sense of gratitude for the lives and legacy of Mac and Mary.

A legacy can be accomplished through intentional giving at death, but more significantly through living an intentional life. Mac and Mary’s children and grandchildren observed firsthand a faithful example of living for Jesus. As followers of Jesus they chose to live His words as quoted by Paul, “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35).

Dave and Betsy have chosen to give all of their money to charity! Dave noted, “I’ve had a successful career and my savings have grown nicely over the years. I feel that I’ve been tremendously blessed and I’d like to give back and help other people who have not been so fortunate.” Dave and Betsy have chosen to give half of their wealth through a Charitable Trust and the rest through a Donor-Directed Fund, both great tools for donors. Dave says, “I enjoy giving to established nonprofits, like The Navigators, where they have an established ministry with people and programs in place to make a difference in the world.” Dave and Betsy’s journey of generosity has led them to both live and leave a legacy. One of Dave and Betsy’s passions has led them to work together for over 13 years building homes, and rebuilding schools in the Guatemala City garbage dump. They are experiencing joy in giving it all away to a prayerfully chosen group of non-profits, including The Navigators.

We both grew up in the church and drifted away. We met in Denver as we were coming back into the church. We realized we were not grounded in our faith. In our early married life a friend recommended we join a Bible Study, it was The Navigators 2:7. Through that study we were able to strengthen our walk with the Lord in Bible study, daily quiet time, Scripture memory and sharing our testimony. We were involved with this study for two years and in a mentoring relationship with Clyde & Marie, who were preparing for ministry with The Navigators. We would come down to the Glen for retreats.

Because of a study on Lordship and prayers, unknown to us, our minds were changed about having children. The Lord blessed us with a daughter who became a youth leader and married a Pastor. We went on to lead 2:7 groups at our church, and have continued to see the need for small groups over our 45 year marriage.

After retirement we moved to Colorado Springs and had the opportunity to become involved with Glen Eyrie on a volunteer basis. Brenda gives weekly Castle tours, we have been resident Castle hosts, and we have continued to volunteer for various events over the past few years. We have seen how the Lord has worked through the Castle and grounds and the effect it can have on guests. After spending time on the grounds, we could see the need for continued maintenance and upkeep. So we looked into the Legacy Gift program and selected the Sanny Fund for our future gift.

Our hope is that the Castle and grounds continue to be open to the public and to fulfill The Navigators motto, “To know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®.”

“I met Fred at a dinner with a group from the church we both were attending. He said he was a Navigator, which I knew nothing about. I was a committed Christian and church-goer, and had attended a few Bible studies. I had shared my faith with a few others, but without much success in reaching people for Christ.
At the dinner, Fred and I agreed to connect one on one to talk further. We met several times, and he offered to show me how to lead a Bible study. I took him up on the offer, we each invited a couple of other guys and began a friendship that has lasted for years. Fred has prayed with me through serious illnesses and the death of my wife and I am incredibly grateful for his friendship.
Fred’s guidance has allowed me to host several different Bible studies that have in turn spawned other Bible studies led by those who were part of the groups I started.
In Fred, I gained an extraordinary friend, and through him, a deeper faith going well beyond mere church attendance, and the tools to host Bible study groups and better share my faith with others. Although I had never heard of The Navigators before I met Fred at that first dinner, I have had the good fortune to get to know and support other Navigators since that divine appointment. May God continue to bless the ministries of all The Navigators!”