US Field Ministries 1960s
Summary: In large measure, the 1960s laid down the tracks on which our ministries would run for many years. It was a very fruitful period:… Read More »US Field Ministries 1960s
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Dawson Trotman
The Topical Memory System
The Topical Memory System is one of The Navigators’ most well-loved study methods. How did the TMS come to be? In 1926 Dawson Trotman came to… Read More »The Topical Memory System
Materials and Communications: Pt. 1
Summary: This article explores our use of materials from the 1950s until the birth of US NavPress in 1975. It reviews our efforts to help… Read More »Materials and Communications: Pt. 1
Dawson and Lila Trotman’s Hospitality
After several temporary accommodations in the Los Angeles area, Dawson and Lila Trotman rented a house in Whittier, California. Daws noted, “I truly thank God… Read More »Dawson and Lila Trotman’s Hospitality
The Navigator Home
Summary: The Navigator Home was an early approach to ministry that was especially suited to life-to-life evangelism and discipleship, which was our characteristic emphasis. The… Read More »The Navigator Home
Boards of Directors
Summary: This article traces the history of our parent board, with particular attention to Lorne Sanny’s principled resistance to but gradual acceptance of the degree… Read More »Boards of Directors
International Students
Summary: This article traces why and when we began to invest in the numerous international students who come to the US. It also summarizes such… Read More »International Students
Cross-Cultural Missions
Summary: From the beginning, Navigators have had the world on our hearts. Where should we focus and why? This article follows the increasing depth of… Read More »Cross-Cultural Missions
Youth Ministries
Summary: As this century began, we were privileged to minister among those not yet of college age in some twenty countries. This extensive segment of… Read More »Youth Ministries
Transitioning Our Navigator Presidents
Summary: This article contrasts the simple process by which Lorne Sanny was appointed in 1956, upon the death of Dawson Trotman, with the much more… Read More »Transitioning Our Navigator Presidents
Directors’ Conference: 1951
Summary: This brief article consists of excerpts from the earliest directors’ conference, held on February 22-24, 1951 in San Francisco. It reveals how we were… Read More »Directors’ Conference: 1951
Navigators among the People of God
Summary: This article traces Dawson Trotman’s strong commitment from 1948 to helping other works, stimulated by his close friendships; our turn to “demonstrating” in 1961;… Read More »Navigators among the People of God
Collegiate Ministries
Summary: The story of our work among students starts in the 1930s, but it became quiescent until ministry spread out from Northwestern College into other colleges… Read More »Collegiate Ministries
College Student Demographics in the 1960s
Although many other Christian organizations started campus ministries before The Navigators, we officially did not become identified with collegiate ministry until the late 1950s. This… Read More »College Student Demographics in the 1960s
Navigator Growth During WWII
Excerpt from “A History of Our Calling” During World War II, the Navigator work spread to one thousand ships and bases and camps. Our strongest… Read More »Navigator Growth During WWII
The Nations
Summary: This article discusses how we gradually developed an understanding of the scriptural terms describing the nations, and how this was then used internationally to… Read More »The Nations
A History of Our Calling
Summary: This article spans the evolution of our Calling from the beginning until the Scriptural Roots of Our Ministry in the early 1990s. Attachments sample… Read More »A History of Our Calling
Dawson Trotman Images
Here is a small sampling of the images that The Navigator History Department and Archives has of Dawson Trotman. To use these images in a… Read More »Dawson Trotman Images
Born To Reproduce
Watch a short video about the early history of The Navigators and how Dawson Trotman became involved with The Billy Graham Crusades:
Overseas Policy Conference 1961
Summary: This conference was historic because it was the first occasion on which Lorne Sanny called together the directors of our young ministries outside the… Read More »Overseas Policy Conference 1961
Early Navigator Businesses and Enterprises
From the 1930s onward, Navigators have ministered alongside men and women in their daily workplace contexts. Indeed, during World War II, our main emphasis was… Read More »Early Navigator Businesses and Enterprises
Dawson Trotman’s Youth Ministries
Ministry among children and those not yet launched into adult life has always been part of the fabric of The Navigators. Soon after his conversion… Read More »Dawson Trotman’s Youth Ministries
Searching for a Few Good Men
Dawson Trotman realized that he had to focus on and invest more deeply in a few receptive men in order to set them up spiritually for the long haul. So, he focused on a few “strong fellows.” The idea of man-to-man ministry was born.