Missions At Your Doorstep Dinner

July 20, 2008 – 5:00 pm

On August 15th the Couples with Young Children Community Group at Fellowship Church will host the Missions At Your Doorstep dinner. This dinner will be held from 6:00 - 7:30 and is being planned as a way to unleash the full potential of our faith community towards international students outreach for the coming year. Come and hear testimonies of how God is working in this ministry. We will conclude with a time of prayer for the nations who have come to study here in Knoxville.

Invitations are being mailed to those who live in the Knoxville area and are currently on our ministry mailing list. However, the dinner is open to all who are interested. If you wish to attend, please rsvp by sending an e-mail to brian@utnav.org

By Brian | Posted in Articles, Ministry Updates | Comments (0)

May Update

May 30, 2008 – 9:39 am

Why Laborers? That was the question being asked at the Navigators new staff retreat earlier this month. We started by looking at Matthew 9:36-38, the passage in which Jesus famously says, “the harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.”  3 thoughts occurred to me as I considered this question…

1)     The harvest requires laborers. Someone must do the reaping.

2)     As John Piper put it “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Therefore, we need laborers to help bring the most people possible into a place to be able to worship Him.

3)     We only become who God desires us to be as laborers for the harvest.

As we read over those verses in the English Standard Version of the Bible, two words leapt off the page at me: “pray earnestly.”  I’ve never been much of a “prayer warriors.” I know some and they are amazing to me both for their passion to pray and their endurance. Yet, the word for me was loud and clear: pray earnestly for laborers. Jesus didn’t say to the disciples “go recruit laborers.” His first priority was to pray earnestly. As fellow disciples, please join me in praying earnestly that God will raise up laborers for the harvest around the world from our internationals students at UT. Pray also that Acts 1:8 will be true for these students. Pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will enable them to be God’s witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Thank you’s

* Thanks to Kevin, Jacob, Will, Dale and Greg who came out to help us fix the structural problems with our carport.

* Thanks to God for 3 additional financial partners in the past month.

* Thanks to the Couple with Young Children class at Fellowship for their support of our ministry and of our family.

Additional Prayer Requests:

* Pray for our international friends who face challenges such as cultural adjustment, studying in a second language, homesickness, etc. Pray that they will draw near to God as they navigate through these challenges.

* We are praying for 20 additional monthly financial partners to join us this summer. Please pray that God will raise these people up to invest their resources to make an eternal impact - especially in this time of high gas prices and inflation.

* Satan does not like what we are doing. Realizing the truth of Ephesians 6:12, pray for us as we face the schemes of the enemy. Thankfully John 10:10 and 1 John 1:4 are true.

By Brian | Posted in Ministry Updates | Comments (0)

Over 80 languages spoken in Knoxville

April 8, 2008 – 2:45 pm

I recently learned that over 80 languages are spoken in Knoxville. That’s amazing. It doesn’t sound like it could be true, but then I thought I’d make a list of the different countries from which I have met people in the past 10 years. Here goes: Since 1998 I have met people from

From Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka,Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, The Philippines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia

From Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, , Gabon, Cameroon, Angola, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Congo, Zaire, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt

From Europe: Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Macedonia, Finland, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Turkey,

From North and South America: Haiti, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Cuba, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Canada.

That’s amazing! God is so good. Such a mission field exists here. Each one of these future world leaders who comes to know Christ and who is equipped and trained in discipleship, will be a missionary ready to be sent to the ends of the earth. Now that is something to be excited about!

By Brian | Posted in Articles | Comments (0)

March Prayer Update

March 12, 2008 – 9:16 am

February was an amazing month! First of all, Sarah and I were blessed to connect with and share about our ministry with many people during Missions Week at Fellowship. As member of the church prayed for international students, for us and for this ministry, we were strengthened and encouraged. Specifically, we shared during the 24-hour missions prayer, Cheers, and CYC. Thanks so much to those who prayed and fasted during the 24-hour prayer. As we visited the Cheers community group, we were amazed at the peace manifest in that community! It was so comforting to be able to update our home group, CYC on our ministry. Finally, we co-facilitated a workshop on cross-cultural ministry called “Lost in Translation.” While not specifically about our ministry, we brought in one of the students in our ministry to share with the class.  Each of these experiences presented opportunities to make new contacts and to invite more people to participate in outreach to internationals in this community. We are so grateful to those who opened doors for us and welcomed us to share. I also had the opportunity to help host a group of future leaders of Brazil during the month of February. A brief video snapshot of their time in Knoxville can be viewed on You Tube by searching for “Student Leaders Brazil” – They really enjoyed learning to sing “Rocky Top.” Please join us in praying for the following this month: 

  • Praise God for his continued financial provision. Each month additional partners are joining us and we are getting closer to full funding. We currently need to raise an additional $1600 monthly
  • Pray that God will put a desire to know Him intimately in the heart of my friends Vic, Xinan, Xiaojun, Min, Omid, Mahdy and Faete.
  • Please pray for my Nigerian friend, who is experiencing nagging problems with his car and for him to get over a hurdle with his immigration paperwork so that he can continue his studies.
  • I am hosting a Bible study on Tuesday evenings for men. Please pray for 2 or 3 additional students to join us who want to learn from the Bible.
  • Pray for Sarah and I as we balance family, ministry, part-time job and church commitments.

 A final note of praise. I have a Chinese friend who is a new believer that I meet with each week. In spite of his struggles with a relationship and his learning of several troubling things about American culture (in contrast to his all positive experiences initially), he told me that he learned something wonderful about God during the past two weeks. He said, “Though many people may not see it, the Bible is a book of love AND it is powerful.” He reminded me that I had shown him Hebrews 4:12 a few weeks ago. “That verse is so true!” he said.  Praise God!

By Brian | Posted in Articles, Ministry Updates | Comments (0)

December Prayer Update

January 11, 2008 – 10:41 am

I’d like to update you on two key initiatives coming up in January. Please remember these in prayer. The annual International Student Regional Southeast Conference will take place again this January 19-21 in Alabama. This year’s conference theme is Knowing, Growing and Sharing Christ. The theme verse is Colossians 1:28: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”          

International students from several universities in the southeast will come for recreational opportunities, relationship building, bible study and worship. Please pray for this time. The majority of the students are believers who seek to grow spiritually, but some are seekers who are interested in learning more about the Bible, Christianity or are simply interested in spending a weekend away with the Knoxville Navigators International Student Fellowship. I am also working with staff at UT to continue the International Student/American Family Partners program. This program is designed to provide opportunities for cross cultural exchange and friendship between international students at UT and families in the Knoxville. 70% of the students in the United States are never invited to an American home. We are hoping to reduce that percentage and we want these students to feel welcome in Knoxville regardless of their cultural, ethnic or religious background.

Please pray for connections to be made. Several people had the opportunity to meet and connect with students this fall. Some of these were one-time meetings, while others have developed into deeper friendships. In addition to these two items, please pray for the following students that God has brought into our life: 

  • A new believer in our ministry that he may grow in his walk with God.
  • An African couple who are raising a 3 year old girl and a 3 month old boy. They have been having car trouble. Pray that the husband may get a graduate assistantship soon. His wife is currently working toward her doctoral degree at UT.
  • A new couple who arrived in August. One of them is pursuing the doctoral degree and the other still needs to learn English.
  • Students from Muslim backgrounds that he may come to see the evidence of Christ in the lives of new American friends.

 We also are continuing to raise support towards full-time ministry. Our current need is to raise about $1850 monthly. Please pray for God’s provision. He is the one who provides for all of our needs.  May the Lord Bless You and Keep You! 

By Brian | Posted in Ministry Updates | Comments (0)

How we do ministry

November 13, 2007 – 1:01 pm

Sometimes when we look at ministry, we think in terms of programs, numbers of participants, baptisms, etc. When I was first introduced to the Navigators, I had many questions centered on these issues. Mainly, I wanted to have a clear understanding of the impact of the Navigators. I’ve since come to find out that the Navigators have a very distinct approach. This is best understood by looking at the Navigators vision, values and distinctives that I have included below. It is because of this approach to ministry that we say we are “changing the world, one leader at a time.”It really is one life at a time. The gospels show us that Jesus did this with Peter, James, John and the other disciples. Paul did it with Timothy and Mark. By God’s grace we aspire to see this happen in our relationships with the international students to whom the Lord introduces us.

OUR VISION

To advance the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom into the nations, through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost.

OUR DISTINCTIVES

Our desire is not only to reach the international students on campus. We want to see the gospel move among the millions of people represented by the families and relational networks in the nations from which these students come.

We begin with the internationals’ home cultures in mind. What will be reproducible in their country? What can they do given their resources?

We do this through building relationships with individuals and their family and friends. Along the way, we enable internationals to minister and lead, and we help them develop their God-given gifts.

We value internationals becoming laborers in the marketplace, building generations of ministries in their own sphere of family and friends.

Our Values

  • The passion to know, love, and become like Jesus Christ.
  • The truth and sufficiency of the Scriptures for the whole of life.
  • The transforming power of the Gospel.
  • The leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
  • Expectant faith and persevering prayer rooted in the promises of God.
  • The dignity and value of every person.
  • Love and grace expressed among us in community.
  • Families and relational networks in discipling the nations.
  • Interdependent relationships in the Body of Christ in advancing the Gospel.

By Brian | Posted in Articles | Comments (0)

Ministering With Us

November 9, 2007 – 11:03 am

Do you want to be more involved in ISM? There are three primary ways that everyone can be involved. If you have time available, consider reaching out to an international student in relationship. You can sign up to be a part of our International Friendship Partner program this January or you can be involved in other ways. For example, we currently have a student who moved from a furnished apartment to an unfurnished apartment. He has no furniture and is looking to buy used furniture. If you would like to sell a sofa, kitchen table and chairs or bed to this student, please contact me. Also, we might need a pick-up truck to deliver these items to the student. In addition, I sometimes have requests from UT for temporary housing for students (less than one week), airport pick-ups or help with student trips. If you have an interest let me know and I can help you get you in touch with the correct contacts at UT.

If you don’t have time, but have a burden to make an impact in this ministry, please consider giving financially. We are responsible to raise 100% of our annual budget and we do not have the time required to minister in this way without the support of our ministry partners. If God moves you to store up treasures in heaven as Jesus exhorted us in Matthew 6:20, then I encouraged you to pray, asking God whether you should partner with us financially.
Finally, we are dependent on our prayer partners. Some have been gifted with a passion for prayer. We want you to lift up this ministry, that God may bless the students, staff and ministry partners. Please pray for us in the spirit of Colossians 1:11-13. We know that God hears your prayer.

By Brian | Posted in Articles | Comments (0)

September Prayer Update

September 21, 2007 – 4:40 pm

Prayer means so much to our ministry! The fall semester is off and rolling. We are excited that we have been able to meet several new students. God is moving among internationals in Knoxville and we are very excited.

Recently, I have begun studying the bible with one Chinese student each Friday afternoon and another student to join us soon. One of these students is a seeker and one is a new believer. Earlier this month, several members of Fellowship Church had the opportunity to meet international students. Please pray for God’s blessing on these developing relationships. Finally, this past Saturday night three Indian students and one Indonesian student came to our monthly Fellowship meeting where we have dinner and discussion topics. The Indonesian student waited 45 minutes before eating with us because he is Muslim and observing Ramadan. It has been difficult to develop relationships with students from India and Indonesia in the past.

We also invite you to join us in pray for the following:

- Wisdom as we help students in bible studies and for the Holy Spirit to be present and revealing truth to us and the students.

- God’s blessing on the relationships between Navigators staff and the International Student Services staff at UT.

God Bless

By Brian | Posted in Ministry Updates | Comments (0)