Continuing the theme of leadership transition, we moved to Alabama in 1977 and stayed there until 1984. Then we returned in 2001 for five years. During that second visit, when I was serving on church staff as Minister of Discipleship, leading, essentially, a Navigator ministry, everyone said, “You’ve got to meet David Shropshire! He’s a Navigator.” 

So I met David, about my age, came around The Navigators about the same time I did while serving in the Air Force in Denver in the early 1970s. David continues as a disciple-maker today, investing in the lives of a number of men. We had a wonderful five years together, meeting frequently for mutual encouragement.

But this blog is about something I just learned when he called me earlier this week. He was one of the very early participants in The Navigators 2:7 Series, whose 50th anniversary we are celebrating next year. In fact, he and his wife, Patsy, were in the first promotional video! And he also told me this as an aside:

When we moved to Alabama in 1985 [right after June and I left] the church asked me to lead an existing 2:7 group. It was started by some Air Force officer.

I said, “Yes! That was me! We started a group, went through several books and then moved to Colorado.”

So when God moved us out, he moved the Shropshires in! The Air Force only thinks it’s in control of assignments!

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. …They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila… (Acts 18.18, 19, NIV)

Do your best to come to me quickly…Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. (2 Timothy 4.9 – 12, NIV)