We kicked this year off a little differently on Sunday, January 2, 2022 because there were updates we needed to share, exciting spiritual directions you needed to know about, and staff announcements everyone needed to be aware of.
— Pastor David, Lead Pastor, Navigation Church
Sale of Our Current Building
We have been in a real estate contract with a buyer out of Chicago since 2017. From the beginning we knew this would not be a quick closing. Unfortunately our buyer breached the contract and under advisement of our attorney we had to file a lawsuit to enforce the agreement. As we wait for the legal system to work this out, we find joy in the many victories we as a church have been awarded throughout this process. We decided to pause looking for a new campus/facility to remain focused on our current mission and not on an uncertain future mortgage. We welcome your prayers over this matter as it is truly is in God’s hands to release us into the next phase when it is His time.
Expect A Year of Radical Generosity
During the first 2022 Sunday service Pastor David shared how Navigation Church views and manages the church budget year after year. He noted this year would be the same except in one vital area…we are going to give an additional 10% away as a church. We will do that each week by finding and sowing into 52 ministries this year. For the places we are seeking breakthrough in we believe God has called us to give our way through it. We invite you, our church family, to join your faith with ours as we expand our giving in a radical way. (2 Corinthians 9:6-13)
Renewed Vision for NavKids and NavStudents
Our NavKids and NavSudents environments will continue to mature in 2022 by engaging personal relationships that matter and transform, beginning with every child’s relationship with Jesus Christ. They will focus on the rhythms of relationships over the routine of religion, and life lessons over Sunday School scripts. These groups will also create more opportunities to partner with parents in our shared goal of helping their child discover and take their next step in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
We, as a Church, Will Grow in Our Love for God’s Word
Navigation has a strong and vibrant small group community, NavGroups, that meet in homes throughout each week. In these uncertain times we know there is a great need for people of faith to rely upon their private devotions and spiritual relationships. And those are exponentially reinforced by an intimate small group community. To that end, in the first quarter of 2022, we will be doing a reading discipline known as the Jesus Experience (JXP). If you’ve never read the Bible, sometimes read the Word, or always read the Scriptures, you will find a fresh perspective in this spiritual journey. Find a NavGroup as you will not want to miss out on the JXP. (Psalms 119:9-12)
New Ministry Path for Our Connecting Pastor
After many years of serving in his vital position, Pastor Brent Johnson is leaving our full time staff in order to take his next step in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Read the following statements that Pastor David and Pastor Brent made expressing their thoughts on this transition.
Pastor David’s comments
In 1979, my parents, Dennis and Patti Amsden launched a ministry that served the Collinsville area for over 30 years. My ministry has its foundation from that generational work and continues to this day, albeit under a different name. In 2014 the ministry you know as Navigation Church launched with a new vision and a mission of “helping people take their next step”.
Over time we have seen God do many wonderful and miraculous things. One of the greatest highlights that we can look back upon was when Pastor Brent and Teresa Johnson, who at the time were leading Faith Bible Chapel Midwest, agreed that merging the two ministries was what God was orchestrating. Since that time period, we have seen salvations, baptisms, multiple outreaches in multiple cities, and one of the most welcoming and inviting churches in the area growing in size and influence. One key to that success was the ministry that was and is Pastor Brent and Teresa.
Over the past year or so, Pastor Brent has been on a spiritual, mental, and physical journey. However, there are times when you embark on a journey like this you may know the direction to go, but you are unaware of the destination. Although the destination is still unknown at this time, Pastor Brent has felt led to step away from his position as the Connecting Pastor of Navigation Church and pursue his new direction.
The Apostolic Board, Pastoral staff, and leadership all want to publicly thank Pastor Brent and Teresa for sharing their anointing, their countless prayers for the ministry and people thereof, their immeasurable hours and dedication to pastor well, their desire to seek after God at all cost, and their undeniable impact here at the Church.
With that said, we bless you as you go, we speak God’s grace over your household and ask that God’s provisions and destiny await you as you take your next step.
Pastor Brent’s comments
In 2010, my family and I felt called to plant a church in Collinsville. I sent an email to all the pastors in the community and Pastor David was the only one who responded to my email. That was the beginning of our friendship which allowed us to launch our church right here in this building. Four years later while getting coffee at Bread Co., we talked about blending churches and that’s exactly what we did. We have accomplished a lot from that first Christmas service in 2014, along with impacting and pastoring our community. It has been a great ride and journey and we have been truly blessed to do life with Navigation Church. At this season, we have felt a release to go forward in taking our next steps in ministry. We are still seeking God on exactly what that is and what that looks like, and would ask that you keep us all in your prayers. We love you all and are better because of you in our lives.