The Navigators 
The information on this page was last updated 1/1/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The Navigators aims to serve God by helping people to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Working with people primarily on a one-to-one basis, staff with The Navigators also train men and women to have their own outreach to others. The Navigators staff help Christ's followers "navigate" spiritually, coming alongside them as they search the Word of God to chart their lives. Dawson Trotman founded The Navigators in 1933.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Navigators
PO Box 6000
Colorado Springs, CO 80934-6000
Website: www.navigators.org
Phone: (719) 598-1212
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 846007896
CEO/President: Mutua Mahiaini / Marvin Campbell
Chairman: Nate Allen
Board size: 19
Founder: Dawson Trotman
Ruling year: 1945
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 08/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
Vision Statement: We see a vital movement of the gospel, fueled by prevailing prayer, flowing freely through relational networks and out into the nations. Workers for the Kingdom are next door to everywhere!
The Navigators is focused on developing disciples person-by-person-by-person and encouraging spiritual growth across life stages. A disciple is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, intentionally learns from Him, and strives to live more like Him. Discipleship means intentionally helping people learn from and live more like Christ by praying with them, spending time together in His Word, walking alongside them in everyday life, and equipping them to do the same with others. God is transforming lives through these spiritual generations.
To share the gospel and disciple all people in all places, The Navigators includes a wide variety of ministries and a broad family of missionaries, supporters, and volunteers. The Navigators reaches and disciples people in need of the gospel where they work, live, worship, and play: on college campuses and military bases, in inner cities, workplaces, churches, and local communities, and in hard to reach places.
Through Life-to-Life® relationships, The Navigators discipleship fulfills the message of 2 Timothy 2:2: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (NIV)."
The Navigators offers tools and an online resource library to equip believers and help them live out Life-to-Life® discipleship in their own lives.
Mission statement
The Navigators is a ministry that shares the gospel of Jesus and helps people grow in their relationship with Him through Life-to-Life® discipleship, creating spiritual generations of believers. Since its founding in 1933, The Navigators has upheld the mission "To know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same®." Watch the video below and read on to learn more about our ministry efforts around the globe.
Statement of faith
Our statement of faith is the core foundation for our ministry. We believe:
That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are inspired by God and inerrant in the original writings, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
In one God, the Creator; eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and that He was and remains true God and true man.
That God created Adam and Eve in the divine image; that they sinned, and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that, as a result of Adam's sin, all human beings are now born with a sinful nature and stand guilty before God.
That the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.
In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into Heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate.
In the blessed hope of the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
That all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God.
That the Holy Spirit indwells and gives spiritual life to all believers, enables them to understand biblical truth, empowers them for godly living, and equips them for service and witness.
In the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting punishment of the lost.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Christian Growth
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 837 of 1104 | 43 of 60 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 860 of 1105 | 45 of 60 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 755 of 1105 | 39 of 60 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 545 of 1104 | 33 of 60 |
Click here to read The Navigators' response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 9% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 8% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 8% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 81% | 85% | 89% | 88% | 88% | 87% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 9% | 9% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 19% | 15% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 80% | 79% | 79% | 80% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 85% | 91% | 97% | 94% | 93% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 68% | 72% | 76% | 75% | 75% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 15% | 9% | 3% | 6% | 7% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 17% | 11% | 4% | 9% | 11% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 11% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.02 | 0.92 | 1.03 | 1.22 | 1.23 | 1.27 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.24 | 1.36 | 1.36 | 1.33 | 1.37 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 1.14 | 1.39 | 1.67 | 1.63 | 1.74 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.90 | 10.86 | 11.01 | 8.01 | 10.09 | 8.43 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.12 | 0.10 | 0.12 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.11 | 9.56 | 7.83 | 6.30 | 6.63 | 6.08 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 12% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 11% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 82% | 101% | 89% | 74% | 74% | 71% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Cash | $12,199,000 | $9,574,000 | $4,612,000 | $5,626,000 | $3,878,000 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $5,715,000 | $1,810,000 | $3,123,000 | $2,378,000 | $2,738,000 |
| Short-term investments | $99,920,000 | $79,069,000 | $72,425,000 | $71,352,000 | $64,081,000 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $117,834,000 | $90,453,000 | $80,160,000 | $79,356,000 | $70,697,000 |
| Long-term investments | $3,602,000 | $2,606,000 | $2,163,000 | $2,086,000 | $1,996,000 |
| Fixed assets | $25,004,000 | $26,556,000 | $23,836,000 | $20,647,000 | $21,078,000 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $3,020,000 | $3,085,000 | $3,065,000 | $3,343,000 |
| Total long-term assets | $28,606,000 | $32,182,000 | $29,084,000 | $25,798,000 | $26,417,000 |
| Total assets | $146,440,000 | $122,635,000 | $109,244,000 | $105,154,000 | $97,114,000 |
| Liabilities | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $10,849,000 | $8,213,000 | $8,119,000 | $7,230,000 | $6,936,000 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $1,885,000 | $638,000 | $1,449,000 |
| Total current liabilities | $10,849,000 | $8,213,000 | $10,004,000 | $7,868,000 | $8,385,000 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $1,985,000 | $0 | $1,889,000 | $1,968,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $1,985,000 | $0 | $1,889,000 | $1,968,000 |
| Total liabilities | $10,849,000 | $10,198,000 | $10,004,000 | $9,757,000 | $10,353,000 |
| Net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Without donor restrictions | $66,959,000 | $59,224,000 | $51,682,000 | $53,732,000 | $48,099,000 |
| With donor restrictions | $68,632,000 | $53,213,000 | $47,558,000 | $41,665,000 | $38,662,000 |
| Net assets | $135,591,000 | $112,437,000 | $99,240,000 | $95,397,000 | $86,761,000 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Total contributions | $134,454,000 | $123,188,000 | $121,587,000 | $121,084,000 | $115,059,000 |
| Program service revenue | $7,884,000 | $4,250,000 | $9,626,000 | $8,877,000 | $7,916,000 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $10,695,000 | $7,486,000 | $2,920,000 | $4,738,000 | $5,252,000 |
| Other revenue | $4,373,000 | $3,400,000 | $3,321,000 | $3,291,000 | $4,137,000 |
| Total other revenue | $22,952,000 | $15,136,000 | $15,867,000 | $16,906,000 | $17,305,000 |
| Total revenue | $157,406,000 | $138,324,000 | $137,454,000 | $137,990,000 | $132,364,000 |
| Expenses | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Program services | $106,830,000 | $99,886,000 | $104,972,000 | $104,113,000 | $99,373,000 |
| Management and general | $14,097,000 | $12,432,000 | $15,274,000 | $13,400,000 | $12,798,000 |
| Fundraising | $13,325,000 | $13,707,000 | $13,365,000 | $11,841,000 | $10,887,000 |
| Total expenses | $134,252,000 | $126,025,000 | $133,611,000 | $129,354,000 | $123,058,000 |
| Change in net assets | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $23,154,000 | $12,299,000 | $3,843,000 | $8,636,000 | $9,306,000 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $898,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $23,154,000 | $13,197,000 | $3,843,000 | $8,636,000 | $9,306,000 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
The Navigators provided the following as a ministry response:
Please be aware that the enclosed audited statement accounts for only the U.S. portion of our worldwide revenue. We send missionaries to each new country with the goal of eventually handing the ministry over to the believing nationals for local operation. We have completed this process in 24 countries to date.
Audits are not available for the operations of our other 24 partnering countries, but we do maintain estimates based on internal reporting. Estimated global revenue and expense for 2003-04, based on our internal surveys, are as follows:
ContributionsWe respectfully request that these figures be included in our MinstryWatch profile, as they are a more accurate representation of our true worldwide ministry. Thanks for considering the unique characteristics global non-profit partnerships such as ours, in which a significant portion of operations are managed and funded outside the U.S.107,841,000 Other Income4,691,000
Total Income$112,532,000
Program Services89,355,000 General and Administrative11,143,000 Fund-raising5,983,000
Total Expenses$106,481,000
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/1/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The ministry of The Navigators began in the 1930s through the call of God to a young Californian, Dawson Trotman. He began to teach high school students and local Sunday school classes. Then in 1933, he and his friends began to extend their work to sailors in the U.S. Navy. Dawson Trotman began teaching sailor Les Spencer the principles of Christian growth. They spent many hours together praying, studying the Bible, and memorizing Scripture. When one of Spencer's shipmates asked him the secret of his changed life, Spencer brought the man to Trotman. "Teach him what you taught me," Spencer said. Trotmans's response "You teach him!" -was the beginning of The Navigators.
Many hours were spent with individual sailors in Bible study, Scripture memorization and prayer with an emphasis on each teaching another what he had learned. By the end of World War II, thousands of men on ships and military bases around the world were learning the principles of spiritual multiplication.
At the same time, the high school students whose lives Dawson had touched went on to reach out to others around them in Southern California. Today, more than 80 years later, The Navigators minister not only in the military and with students on college campuses, but in the marketplace with businessmen and women, among homemakers, ethnic groups, international students, ... wherever there are people who need Christ.
The Navigators was incorporated in California in 1943. The Navigators headquarters was transferred to Colorado in 1953 when they obtained the Glen Eyrie property in Colorado Springs. In Colorado Springs, The Navigators maintains the Glen Eyrie Conference Center and NavPress as well as their administrative offices. A few miles away is Eagle Lake Camp.
The Navigators aims to make a permanent difference in the lives of people around the world. The Navigators motto, "To Know Christ and Make Him Known ", describes the center and direction of the ministry. From the beginning, Navigators have sought not only to reach people for Christ but to equip them so that they, in turn, can help fulfill Christ's commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
Navigators spend hours with new believers individually and in small groups. They study the Bible, pray, witness, counsel and teach. It is a ministry of individual, intensive training on a person-to-person basis.
Program accomplishments
The Navigators ministries include:
Church Discipleship Ministry, Collegiate, Eagle Lake Camps, Glen Eyrie Conference Center, International Student Ministry, Metro Ministry, Military Ministry, Nav20s, NavPress, and NavMissions.
Needs
The Navigators is a faith ministry supported by the contributions of individuals and churches. Field staff, those directly involved in field ministries, are actively involved in raising support for their area of ministry.