This week in Christian history: Bill Gothard resigns, Navigators founded, Pierre Viret appointed pastor

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, March 02, 2025

The Navigators founded — March 3, 1933

This week marks the anniversary of when the Evangelical Christian parachurch ministry The Navigators was founded by a Southern California lumberyard worker named Dawson Trotman.

Trotman and his peers devoted extensive time to prayer, Bible study, and the memorization of Scripture. A good deal of their early ministry centered on sailors in the United States Navy.

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“Since The Navigators’ beginnings in 1933, that vision of spreading the love of Christ has flourished,” the ministry states on its website.

“In 1949, The Navigators’ first overseas missionary left to serve in China; more soon followed to other countries. The Navigators’ headquarters moved from southern California to Colorado Springs in 1953 with the purchase of the Glen Eyrie property, former home of city founder General William J. Palmer.”