Yesterday, I mentioned Clemson’s 50th anniversary of the ministry of The Navigators. Today, I want to think about another 50th anniversary. In February, we’ll be celebrating the anniversary of The Navigators’ 2:7 Series, that I’ve written about before. The event is open to all–you’re welcome to join us!

I didn’t participate in 1970–tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to someone who did!–but we started using the material in a small church in Omaha in the fall of 1976, beginning Book 1 with 12 people. It was a 6-book series, and the number of people from that first group that went on to Book 2 was exactly 0.

What to do? No question…find another group and start again. So we had 9 people beginning Book 1 in January 1977. We did Books 1 and 2, and in June, we moved to Montgomery, AL. End of story? Hardly. Two of the folks in that group, a father/son team, owned the Dale Carnegie franchise in Omaha. They were not only committed disciples of Jesus, but they were also leaders. After we left, they kept 2:7 going, and within a year or two, every person in that church had been through Book 1.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 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. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2, NIV)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2.6, 7, NIV, the title verse of the 2:7 series)

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3.5 – 7, NIV)