Curiosity - Navigators Train – Develop

How Spiritual Direction Has Changed Me and My Ministry

Jin Rood April 29, 2025

By Jin Rood, World Missions – As my husband, Mark, and I were completing our final year overseas, discerning where God was leading us next, I felt drawn toward a ministry of care. A mentor suggested I explore spiritual direction, and I was immediately intrigued. This form of caregiving focuses on deepening an individual’s relationship with God. Richard Foster explains, “Spiritual direction involves a process through which one person helps another person understand what God is doing and saying.”

Mile Markers of Spiritual Formation

Glenn Balsis April 29, 2025

By Glenn Balsis, TDC – Often I gauge my highway travel by mile markers to help me understand where I am as I drive. For my spiritual journey, I’ve realized that I need a spiritual director to help me assess those mile markers in my walk with God. Coaching, mentoring, and discipling all have valued places within my life with God, but spiritual direction has offered a unique encounter with God.

Dangit, Jo!

Lyndi Lee Markus April 29, 2025

By Lyndi Lee Markus, TDC –
“Dangit, Jo!” I exclaimed to my spiritual director. Except I did not use the word dangit. I had come to our session discouraged to the point of tears, stuck in anxious thinking that left me hopeless and powerless. Her question had both lovingly and uncomfortably dislodged me from my rut. How was she so wise?

Safe Spaces of Silence in Spiritual Direction

Luke Kleveland April 29, 2025

By Luke Kleveland, TDC – Before COVID, I would not have imagined doing spiritual direction with anyone. In fact, if you had asked me about this five years ago, I probably would have looked at you in confusion because I didn’t really know what it was, and then with skepticism because I thought it was purely mystical stuff. Little did I know how my journey with Jesus would change my perspective.

What I Said and How I Said It

Kenneth Robertson July 24, 2023

“Pastor, I don’t know what to think. A loving God can’t possibly think this about me, can He?” The voice on the recording belonged to a young woman who described herself as bisexual (attracted to men and women). She had been building trust with our community over the last few

The Story of My Sister

Levi Ndimubanzi July 31, 2022

By the late 1990s, war and HIV/AIDS had ravaged my country, destroying entire families and villages. It left behind what was commonly referred to as “child-headed families,” families of little kids whose adults had been claimed by our tragedies. At barely 17 years, I was the head of my household.

The Gift of Co-Creating Connection

Jordan Mercedes July 31, 2022

Her text read: I am so happy to co-labor with you, Jordan. Reading Bonnie’s text drew me into reflecting on our early days of collaboration. We met at a coach training I gave. Chatting after class, we realized not only did we have coaching in common, but our faith in

It Started with a Question

Vicki Gatchell July 31, 2022

Our true connection started with a question: “What is your greatest desire for the church today?” Alejandro and I had already been talking for thirty minutes, give or take. We’d introduced ourselves and explained what we do for a living. We’d found common ground in our commitment to sharing the

Curiosity Leading into Green Pastures

Jon Martin July 31, 2022

Dave and I met while he was stationed as a Marine here at Camp Lejeune. For about the last 18 months, he and I have met for prayer and to fellowship deeply with the Lord together. Our times are always a mini-celebration of the goodness of God in our lives

Burning Bushes, Burning Questions

Chris Segrest July 31, 2022

“You all go explore the mall,” Mom said. “I’m going to stay here and people watch.” People watch? What’s that? Curious, I slid onto the bench beside my mom as my siblings headed off. “God created so much amazing diversity in this world,” she explained as we watched the world