NAVIGATORS FIRST RESPONDER MINISTRY
A report from David and Laura Shuping: (former members of Pender)
Seven years ago the Navigators did not have a ministry among first responders and we are excited to share how God is growing the ministry. The first responder ministry leaders and potential new staff gathered for a time of fellowship, strategic planning, and discipleship training. The attendees included more than 40 law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and their spouses, all interested in reaching the lost and discipling believers within their respective departments and agencies.
The First Responder Ministry is under the umbrella of the Military Ministry at the Navigators. In December, the Military Ministry held a 3 day meeting for all of their leaders in Lotta, SC. This was the first time the Military Ministry had held a dedicated meeting for leadership. It was a wonderful time for us to make contacts and network with the other leaders in the northeast and to spend quality time in person with our own leadership team. We were very blessed to meet so many younger men and women dedicated full time to sharing the gospel and reaching their military bases for Jesus.
We continue to have ongoing confidential one-on-one discipleship meetings weekly and biweekly with first responders and/or their spouses which is the core of the ministry. David recently started discipling relationships in North Dakota and Minneapolis which are part of our region. We are very thankful for zoom and all of the resources that the Navigators provide
God has blessed us with connections to a few churches in Richmond. David is working on a project with one pastor to co-host a two day discipleship training class to help train some members on discipleship so that they can then train other members. At another church we have been participating in a young adult Sunday school that is currently studying discipleship. It is a blessing to see how much they grasp and understand the importance of sharing their faith with others. God is opening doors and we are thankful for the opportunities that he provides.
