The Navigator

by Robert D. Foster

Into a complacent generation God placed Dawson Trotman. Full of contagious zeal, drive, and creativity, Trotman helped awaken those around him and exhorted Christians to single-mindedly obey God.

Thousands responded to his challe

Genres: Christian, Biography, Christianity, Christian Living, Discipleship, Spirituality

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1983

Reviews

[Brooklyn Behrends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern day Paul

[Dharma Arung-Laby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the founder of the Navigators and their early stories. It is very interesting to see how Dawson Trotman's figure had become the influence of the navs. After reading this book, I come to know why the people in the navs have certain prominent characteristics. So many lessons we can get from Daw's figure and see how the one who has scripture-saturated life can be so influential and impactful in God's works.

[Peter Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawson Trotman may be a name you are not familiar with. He was a Christian man who spent his life taking God at his Word! He had a deep love for Jesus and an incredible devotion to the Word of God. He was the founder of the Navigators ministry, which originally sought to minister to sailors on board Naval Battleships. Dawson Trotman was a contemporary of Billy Graham, and, in fact, he would help Billy Graham develop the follow up ministry at his crusade events during the 1940’s and 50’s. Dawson Trotman was a man who had committed his whole life to serving the Lord Jesus! He was a layman, and never had any formal seminary training, but his heart was ablaze for God's glory and world missions! And he had a passion for knowing God’s word and making it known!

Dawson was a man who lived out Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”

This was Trotman’s heart: What must I do to take a wholehearted commitment to Jesus seriously? And what must that look like as I take God’s word at face value and claim the promises of God for myself every day? If God’s word says it, I’m going to trust God and follow it! That was his heart!

Listen to the heartbeat of Dawson’s ministry and life: “We started out on the Battleships of the United States Navy, getting men to spend time in the Bible. By the time the war was over, we had fellows on a thousand ships and on a score of bases throughout the world, faithfully serving and witnessing for the Lord. I suppose that there was no greater secret than that these men were in the Book and the Book was in them. The Word of God is the mighty force within that enables men to do whatever it says. I am absolutely convinced that the Bible completely changes the lives of men and women…. It has completely changed my life. I’ll never be the same again since I was introduced to God’s Holy Word, the Bible.”

Perhaps that was the sum of Trotman's life: "He was in the Book and the Book was in him." "Knowing God and making him known" among the nations.

[Trevor Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawson Trotman's devotion to the basics of prayer, Scripture Study, Memorization and obeying the Word is incredible. Dawson is down to earth and relatable as well as encouraging. This book encouraged me to seek Gods face in prayer, to understand the importance of discipleship and the importance of setting the pace by doing it yourself. It is also abundantly clear to me what part I have to play in the Great commission. Through Daws I got to see what it means to live a life totally unashamed of the Gospel and Jesus Christ.

[Samara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful read for anyone associated with The Navigators as it’s a reminder of what the founder had on his mind. Definitely feel like there are some things I’d not see eye-to-eye with Daws on, but it’s obvious both in this book (written by someone who knew him well) and how the pace he set back then had such ripple effects that they’re still being felt today that he trusted God in big ways, and that’s worth imitating.

The flow of the book was also hard to follow at times, but I believe it came together at the end once you read about Daws’ last talk.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I chose to read this book as a part of some staff development. I found it very insightful into the life, vision, and heart of Dawson Trotman. It is an encouraging and captivating read. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone keen on growing in vision for what is on God's heart, making disciples, or wanting to learn more about who The Navigators are.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perjalanan mengenal bagaimana follow-up/ Pemuridan navigator Bermula. Belajar tentang dedikasi sampai akhir dari daws. Mulai dari panggilan dan terobosan yang dibuat.

Bersyukur melalui buku ini dapat melihat kembali sosok penting dibalik pelayanan Navigator.

[Chad Wilkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a challenging life. The drive, determination, faith and prayer life of this amazing man of God are still being felt today. If you want your life to have meaning, follow the example of Daws.

[Jeff Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good overview of the life and ministry of Dawson Trotman, but does not compare to the more thorough book about Trotman’s life by Betty Skinner: “Daws: The Story of Dawson Trotman”

[Emily Seaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

After spending 4 years in collegiate ministry with the Navigators, it was refreshing to read about the illustrations and life principles at have shaped my faith. It was also encouraging to see that after more than half a century, the heart of the Navigator ministry has remained the same: The Christ center life, follow-up, world vision (to name a few). I enjoyed learning a little more about Trotman's life and how many of the tools of the Navigators came to be. This was a quick and "easy" read that fanned the embers of my Spiritual life, which have been neglected with a busy life.

[Joshua Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quick read (finished it in a day) is an amazing snapshot of one of the 20th Century's most influential men of God. You might not have heard of Dawson Trotman, but you've heard of the men that he influenced: Billy Graham first and formost among them.

With a passion for God's word and for reaching the world on an individual, one-to-one basis, Trotman's legacy is one worth exploring. His pacesetting life should be an inspiration to every believer who seriously values a personal relationship with their Creator.

With a mix of biographical, anecdotal, and experiential storytelling, Robert D. Foster shows what was clearest on and closest to Dawson's heart: winning the souls of men and then discipling them to maturity. Dawson's life and example will change your life if you let it!

[Mark Sigman]

Great quote by E.M. Bounds within the book: Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men…. What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, nor new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not … come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men — men of prayer.1

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, inspiring, taught me to have at least a half hour a day in the Bible, prayer, and scripture memory

[G. Salter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foster occasionally gets a bit gushing in his descriptions of Trotman, but still provides a fascinating, enlightening read about the motivations and teachings of a very dynamic Christian leader.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though there are some things I would not agree with in Dawson's interpretation and application of Scripture, I really appreciate his zeal to see lost souls saved and discipled.

[Sandirae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about the man who founded the Christian discipleship community, the Navigators. This was the first Bible study group I participated with during college.