Word on the Street

by Glen Averill

Business men and women are gathering at a beautiful hotel for a luncheon. In the crowd, you will see the faces of CEOs, accountants, lawyers, doctors, company vice presidents, small business owners, and more. These men and women have a unique enthusiasm as they gather together. They are not going to discuss the latest stock reports. They are not focusing on profits and losses. They are not discussing new tax burdens, or benefits packages for employees. No, these people are excited because they are going to spend some time learning about how to authentically reflect Christ in the business world. They are encouraging one another, listening to each other with an open heart, and they are about to hear a fellow business professional talk about how God’s Word and Christian faith have impacted his business and personal life.

What’s happening here?

This is a monthly luncheon meeting of Real Life Downtown in Kansas City, MO. Real Life Downtown is a collaborative effort between The Navigators and New Life Ministries, an urban church. It formally began in April of 2008.
According to co-founder, David Wooddell, Real Life’s purpose is to help Kansas City professionals integrate their professional and spiritual lives. Wooddell is also the leader of Marketplace Ministries for The Navigators in the KC Metro Area.

The first Tuesday of each month, a respected business leader from the downtown area shares his/her testimony of how faith and business really can work together. For example, the speaker for March 2 will be Drew Hiss, former president and founder of Checkdate Solutions, an outsourced provider of payroll and HR services. He will share his many challenges in the area of real faith and real life. In the past, business leaders have testified about how straying from biblical principles has led to heartache and misery, and even business failures.

Interactive Approach

Wooddell explained that the format is interactive but the noon to 1 p.m. time slot is respected because those attending are leaders who have busy schedules. The first 15 minutes are spent connecting. Then the speaker shares for 20 minutes. Those attending then split up into table discussions with a table leader to keep them on topic. The speaker returns to the podium and closes.

The Real Life Downtown idea was conceived by Wooddell and three other men, Dave Gras, Pastor Troy Campbell, and Tony Totta. Gras is The Navigators Metro leader in the KC Metro. The Real Life ministry is thriving and there are plans to start another faith-based business luncheon on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area. Wooddell said these men were the initiators of the ministry, but a lot of other people have been instrumental in making it a reality.

He said of the Real Life mission:

“We exist to attract business people in the Kansas City marketplace to Jesus Christ; help them grow spiritually to be like Him, and then reproduce spiritual generations of laborers in the marketplace.”

That mission is becoming reality, Wooddell added, because the ministry has spun off into five weekly workplace Bible studies in the downtown area. One of those workplace studies is at Hallmark Cards, one of Kansas City’s oldest companies. This group was promoted by Dee Chapin, an executive administrator who is on the “inside” at Hallmark. Chapin began attending the monthly Real Life luncheons and requested that a workplace study take place weekly at Hallmark. Wooddell said this is exactly what he and the other founders wanted to see happen—business “insiders” carrying the Gospel message back to their workplaces.

Wooddell himself spent 40 years in the corporate world as a business leader. He’s been with The Navigators since 2007. “I really feel God has called me to work with the marketplace this way, to help business leaders integrate their faith into their personal and professional lives.”

Real Life Downtown is just one aspect of Wooddell’s marketplace ministry projects in KC. He and his wife Dinah are involved in a lot of one on one discipleship, and he leads the Chief Executive Roundtable, a monthly accountability forum for key business leaders.

He explained that Real Life Downtown is such a key part of marketplace ministry in Kansas City because it fits in so well with The Navigators Metro vision that says:

“Spiritual generations of laborers are working together among diverse groups in the KC Metro. The Gospel is advancing among the lost and disciple-making is becoming a lifestyle. Lives, families, communities and workplaces are being transformed.”

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For more information on this ministry, contact David Wooddell at 913-669-2896, or email him. You can also visit the ministry web site at www.reallifedowntown.org. You can also donate to the Kansas City Metro Mission here.

by Peter Payne

I sat restlessly at the Greyhound station in Chicago at 11:30 the night of January 13. I was there to meet Corinthian who, just hours previously, had been released from 10 years in prison. Naomi first met and adopted him as a spiritual son a couple years ago when he was out briefly on parole. Now, his full sentence had been fulfilled and he was ready to begin the rest of his life. I knew the bus that just pulled in was his. He came through the double doors to the waiting area and our eyes locked – immediately drawing a broad grin on both of our faces. With a “welcome-home” hug, the beginning of a new chapter had just begun – for all of us.

We came home and talked and laughed into the wee hours of the morning (a diversion from my normally conservative schedule). But, what a joy! God had found this young man at his lowest point, and in his great mercy, had given him a new heart and a renewed mind. The miracle of this kind of transformation brings an identity-clarity and a life-energy that many Christians yearn for, but have not found. Jesus explained this to his offended dinner host when the town prostitute poured perfume on him, washed his feet with her tears, kissed them, and dried them with her long hair. Jesus explained, “She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (Luke 7:47)

What is so amazing about our experience with Corinthian is not what we are able to do for him. What tickles us to our toes is what he is doing for us! We get to EXPERIENCE God’s redeeming love both in us and in him. And we have received a greater heart for God’s children behind bars. This is the essence of spiritual adoption. When God puts people together into spiritual families, it is a “win-win” result. We have received a lost son we simply hadn’t met.

God has worked amazing things in Corinthian’s life in these past few weeks of freedom. His time is spent constructively– working and learning how life works in the free world. He is developing new friends who are on the same path to freedom that he is on, he is bonding with his mother and siblings- now with a mutual love for the things of God, and he is reuniting with his two children who are the most precious people to him in the world. He has a new vision for the future, and goals for getting there. New beginnings are a blessing straight from Heaven. And what a treat to have front-row seats as God does what only he can do in our lives. Pray for Corinthian as he lives out his faith before his children and his family, learning both the weight and the fruit of freedom.

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Donate to the Payne’s ministry here or donate to the Chicago Metro Mission here.

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Do you have a ministry story you would like us to highlight?
Send it in to metro@navigators.org.

by Ernie Scalabrin

Hi Everyone! Well, what is going on in the NYC Metro Mission? Well, first of all, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the Yankees winning their 27th World Series Championship was definitely a highlight!

Of course, the things that God is doing are the “true highlights”. We are seeing God work in magnificent ways here. Due to its international scope, NYC is called “The Center of the World”. In our ministries, God is touching the lives of Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Muslim, Buddhist, New Age, Wicca, Jews, Albanians, African and Hispanic Americans, Ecuadorians, Mexicans, Cubans, Bosnians, Serbians, Greeks, Armenians, Italians, Guatemalans, Brazilians, Indians, just to name a few.

We meet yearly with the Metro Teams from Boston and Philadelphia. This past fall, we had a great conference in New Jersey with our new Metro Director Bob Adgate and his wife, Ronda. It was a warm time of ministry and story sharing. Bob and Ronda introduced themselves, encouraged us, and shared with us the direction and heart of the national leadership of The Navigators as we move forward into the future to advance Jesus’ Kingdom and make disciples together.

NYC staff and associates meet regularly in Greenwich Village for encouragement and sharing led by our NYC leader, Andy Puleo. These times are a blessing and allow us to see what is going on across our ministry venues – neighborhood, inner-city, youth, collegiate, church discipleship, Korean and more. We have an area wide metro rally planned for February 6th. We would appreciate your prayers for this time as we have invited staff, associates and stakeholders in the region to join us! We are working on more of these rallies to extend our calling, values and movement to the region and beyond.

Andy and Donna Puleo have been ministering to the poor in Roosevelt, NY. Charles, a friend of theirs, offers to help them out at times and they are relating with him about life issues. He is in the process of getting a job and new place to live. Billy, another man they are working with, is doing well and they see and minister to him often. He has enrolled in school to study for his GED. They look forward to be able to partner more through Minister Reginald Benjamin (of ABBA ministries) networking in the Roosevelt area. Abba ministries regularly distribute food, school packs and other relief to distressed residents of Hempstead. Most of Pastor Benjamin’s contacts come from ex-cons and their families. He is very well received by hundreds at each event. Andy and Donna also have great ministry contacts with many African American pastors in the NYC area.

We, (Ernie and Judy Scalabrin) are seeing God work in great ways on the New Jersey side of the NYC Metro Area. We are seeing relationships grow from our multi-ethnic contacts with people in our surrounding neighborhoods. Our dear Korean Buddhist friend expressed her admiration for our family even though our material standard of living differs from hers. She wanted to know more about Christianity because our family life seemed more real and purposeful to her. Her husband is a nice man who works for LG, and though he provides well, he is hardly at home for family time. This is common for many lost families here. Due to the intense competition involving wealth and materialism. Most families lack real life and they know it.

With the economic issues facing our nation, we are seeing God use us more with the business community. Ernie has led two businessmen to Christ and is discipling them. We are in growing relationships with them and their families and helping them to “Navigate through life spiritually.”

Our public school Bible club is in its 8th year. We continue to see children come to Christ each year and be discipled impacting families. The Board of Education allowed us this year to expand to a second day during the week to accommodate the older 6, 7, and 8th grade students. This children’s Bible club is international with many backgrounds. We are given complete freedom, by the school (with parental permission) to share the Gospel and the Scriptures with the children. Our first students are now in college! Ernie also goes to the nearby high school and teaches at the Christian “Harvesters” club. We have been asked by Christian families of other towns to have such clubs. Although the clubs are legal, it can often be intimidating to get started.

Our other ministries in New York City are also thriving. Finances are the biggest challenge and prayer request for our team. Since this is an extremely strategic area of the world for missions, ministry opportunities are abundant here! However, there is a cost of living that is one of the highest in the nation. Pray for us! Although, God has been very gracious in His provisions, finances are an ongoing challenge for all of us. Finances can threaten and hinder the work of all our ministries more than anything. But we praise God for His abundant fruit and work in our midst! Hallelujah!

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Donate to the New York City Metro
Donate to Andy and Donna Puleo
Donate to Ernie and Judy Scalabrin
Read more about the New York City Metro Mission
at new-york-city.navigators.org

by Ed Cvelich

Three years ago, I met Daquan (not his real name) at the park. A friend and I were teaching basketball skills and running drills. I invited him and his best friend to join us. My immediate impression was that Daquan was shy but also very attentive. He became a member of our Walltown Wildcats basketball team, but usually stayed off to the side and didn’t fully participate. Yet he would spend hours at the park practicing the drills alone. His natural quickness and agility has made him the best player in his elementary school and in the neighborhood. Basketball is Daquan’s passion. Unfortunately, school is not. Last spring, I approached Daquan’s 5th grade teacher for a recommendation to register him and his friend in Student U – a summer academic program designed to prepare them for middle school.

Daquan’s teacher was very happy about the support they might get through Student U and this is what she wrote:

“When Daquan joined my class last fall he was the classic bad boy. He came with a notorious reputation. At first, he was sullen and refused to participate in any group activities. But I could tell he had that spark; he was all there. I know as a teacher that I try to treat all students alike, but we have our favorites. Daquan is one of my two favorites in this class. He really made a turn-around this year. He now participates and helps. He can still be quickly triggered into his detached tough-guy posture but he is different now. He told me, ‘I want to get smart because I want to play basketball in high school.’ He is still very fragile and without continual support he can easily become another lost soul who just hangs out at the park and does nothing.”

I’ve been mentoring Daquan and his friend every Monday for the past year. That means we eat fast food and typically talk basketball. Occasionally, the conversation goes deeper but those vulnerable moments are rare. We do, however, read a couple of verses of Scripture each time we are together, believing that sowing seed will eventually bear fruit.

My wife, Page, and I are not in this effort alone. The youth in Walltown don’t just hang out on our front porch. We have guy’s house on the next block where Dan and Louis live and a girls house one street in the opposite direction where Susan, Gerri and Emily live. Plus there is Bahari and Mamie’s house, as well as Jonathan and Leah’s house. Daquan and his friend, as well as dozens of other boys and girls, make the rounds among our houses to hang out, talk, eat, do homework and Bible study. It is a team effort.

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To read more about the Urban Hope – visit www.urbanhope.us
Donate to the ministry of Ed and Page Cvelich.

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Do you have a ministry story you would like us to highlight?
Send it in to metro@navigators.org.

From Dennis Williams

The majority of our work involves coaching and mentoring the next generation of believers and Nav staff who are having an impact where God has planted them in life. My wife Sara has become involved with a growing number of women whom God is developing and using to touch others for Christ. Carey is one of these women who is helping to mentor young girls. She commented to Sara, “It’s a privilege for me to support these girls in their growth. Your walk with me has helped me lead them. Thanks for your investment in my life.” Carey also actively shares the Gospel with many of her peers and family. Pray for God to continue to use Sara to help many women grow in their closeness to Christ and their impact in the lives of their families and friends.

Armando and Mary Jane moved here four years ago to minister among the 100,000+ Albanians in Metro Detroit. This fall, Armando asked if I would team with him to lead a Bible study for a number of Albanian men. Some are new in their faith and some are seeking what it means to know God. Now that we’ve met together several times to read the Bible and talk about faith in Christ, it’s very obvious that God is drawing each of these men closer to Himself. I believe that many families are going to be touched for Christ through these men. Pray for God to give wisdom and strength to Armando and Mary Jane as they relationally open doors for the Gospel among their numerous Albanian friends.

Four times a year, our Marketplace Ministries team hosts a luncheon where men and women can invite friends from their workplaces to come and hear a fellow business person talk about how faith in God, the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ have impacted some aspect of his or her life. We average over fifty in attendance at these luncheons, twenty of whom have brought work colleagues with them. We are in the process of helping these twenty have a larger impact in their business networks, and developing materials we can use as we coach and mentor them in life and ministry. Several have already set up Bible reading groups where they work, and we’d like to see that number grow this next year. Pray for the Lord to use our team to encourage many of these brothers and sisters in Christ to trust Him for a ministry in their workplaces to those who do not yet know the Lord.

We are committed more than ever to minister the Word deeply to others and increase their fruitfulness.

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To read more about the Detroit Metro Area – visit http://navigatorsdetroit.org
or Donate to the Williams.
or Donate to the Detroit Metro Mission.