Down Memory Lane - Milestones of NavTeens

Read more about The NavTeens’ Past here

The NavTeens today

Who are we?
The NavTeens is the youth ministry of The Navigators Singapore, an apostolic multicultural partnership raised by God to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom through generations of labourers in disciple-making.

The Navigators began in the 1930s through the call of God to a young Californian, Dawson Trotman. The Navigators came to Singapore in 1962. The NavTeens was formed in 1973 to serve the needs of the growing Christian youth community, which consisted of teenagers in secondary schools, polytechnics and tertiary institutions.

What do we do?
Over the years, we have expanded into a vibrant youth ministry with over a hundred teenagers and 30 voluntary youth workers.

We help teenagers in their growth as “total persons”, engaging them in meaningful activities which will contribute to their spiritual growth. TNT helps teenagers navigate through the transition from teenage to adulthood and assist them in forming sound values and system beliefs, with a strong foundation in their faith.

During this transition, the teenager has to deal with physical, emotional and mental changes. They will make some of their most life-changing decisions during these years. Their beliefs and values will usually be shaped during this time. They will need a compass to guide them. We believe that a living relationship with Jesus Christ is that compass.

What are our activities?
The NavTeens holds weekly rallies for its youth members, which are mainly meetings for worship, fun and fellowship. Regular bible study is also held within small groups, to allow for closer interaction and stronger bonds between mentor and student. Aside from evangelistic events and activities, TNT also holds training programmes for older teenagers, to equip them with leadership skills and expertise for ministry in future.

Bible Study
We study the Bible together to gain the wisdom for the critical decisions that the teenagers have to make. It is often in studying the Bible that teenagers realize that God speaks about His will for us. We also encourage the students to memorize scriptures and read the Bible daily.

Prayer
While many resort to prayer in times of need, we believe that prayer should be a way of life. It keeps our relationship with God alive and expresses our dependency on God.

Personal time with a mentor
Depending on the teenager, we may meet regularly or as needed to discuss and pray over personal issues not discussed in Bible Study. This allows the teenager to find a listening ear, and have his personal needs met.

Youth Rallies
Teenagers have lots of energy and at a youth rally, we find healthy ways to express that energy. Besides fun and fellowship, we also sing songs of worship, share from the word and find opportunities for evangelism.

The NavTeens Vision

A vital disciple-making movement in every educational institution where teenagers are becoming disciples, labourers, leaders and missionaries of Christ, for the glory of God.

Our Purpose Statement

We believe that God has called us to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of youth workers witnessing and discipling among the teenagers in Singapore.

Our Distinctive

1. Discipline and Delight in the Scriptures
2. Centered on the Person of Christ
3. Growth in maturity in Christ – Transformation
4. Generations of labourers and Generational thinking
5. A vision for the world and a heart for the individual.

Our Core values

1. The glory of God as the end and motivation for life and ministry
2. The passion to know, love and become like Jesus Christ.
3. The truth and sufficiency of the Scriptures for the whole of life
4. The transforming power of the Gospel
5. The leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit
6. Expectant faith and persevering prayer rooted in the promises of God
7. The dignity and value of every person
8. Love and grace expressed among us in community
9. Families and relational networks in discipling the nations
10. Interdependent relationships in the Body of Christ in advancing the Gospel