WORKSHOPS
1. MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS
Brendan Riggs
LOCATION: Salon A (Exhibit Hall) (map)
Most of us have heard the call from Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, but how do we really do that. Join us as we look at how to do that. We will talk about why we need to answer this call, how multiplication always wins, and how to get started in the journey of making disciples.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Brendan grew up in church but had never really heard the gospel until his freshman year at Northwest. After filling out a survey he connected with a navigator staff named John. For the next 4 years John helped him understand the gospel and discipled him. The Lord used John to change his life and he grew a vision to do the same with others. Brendan is currently the campus director at OSU. He and his wife Laura have 3 kids.
2. LABORERS LIVING AND DISCIPLING AMONG THE LOST
Workshop for Juniors and Seniors
Marcus Jakubowsky
LOCATION: Fire Room (map)
2nd session only
During your time in college with the Navigators, you probably get to experience some pretty amazing things: personal discipleship, deep relationships, community, and discovering the Father's heart for you and those around you. You also learn about Jesus’ invitation to live out of your identity in Him wherever you go.
But what happens when you leave this familiar environment of peers and community and enter the next chapter of life? How will you intentionally pursue God and reach those around you who don't know Him? What do you want to be true of your life, community, hobbies, work, or relationship with Jesus after graduation? How do you want to continue following Jesus for the rest of your life?
Many of us (myself included) don't always take the time to think through some of those questions until we're already in the midst of our next chapter. Let's create space together to wrestle with how the Lord might be inviting you to pursue Him and others in this next exciting season of life. And hopefully come away from our time with some actions you want to choose to take now to prepare for a lifetime of following Jesus deeply. This workshop is designed for juniors and seniors, to focus specifically on laboring in the harvest post-college/in the marketplace.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
After stumbling across the Navigators at Iowa State University, Marcus discovered through discipleship, community, and deep friendships that committing to following Jesus was how he was created to experience true life. When Marcus graduated, he wanted to use his degree and go into the workforce, but he didn't want to lose the dynamic growth he saw in his relationship with Jesus or give up on the life-giving community and friendships he'd made. So he decided that he wouldn't. He chose to move to Kansas City alongside a close friend and fellow Nav grad Nathan, and intentionally chose a location where grad community was starting to be built. Marcus now works as a software engineer in industry while continuing to build community that will help him continue following Jesus in this next season of life as he engages spiritually with new friends and coworkers. Marcus desires to see students transition to their next season intentionally, and leverage the skills equipped by the Navigators on-campus for the Kingdom in this exciting next season of life post-college as they continue to grow in obeying Jesus for the rest of their lives.
3. FROM CAMPUS TO THE NATIONS: JOINING GOD'S MISSION
Katie Greiner
LOCATION: Earth Room (map)
Have you ever wondered what it really means when we talk about “the nations”? Or how your life on campus could actually connect to what God is doing around the world? In this workshop, we’ll unpack God’s heart for the nations and why it matters to you as a follower of Jesus right now—not just someday. You’ll hear why this is such a big part of the Navigators' calling, and we’ll talk about simple, practical ways you can take a next step. If you’re curious, passionate, or even just open to what God might do through you, this workshop is for you. Come get a bigger vision of His heart—and your part in it.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Hey friends! I’m Katie Greiner—a coffee-loving, beauty-chasing, lover of people who met The Navigators at Iowa State and never looked back. I’ve been on staff with Navigators World Missions for 9 years, spent many a trip overseas, and now get to help recruit, train, and launch students just like you to the nations! My husband, Jake, and I live in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, with our two kiddos (Ellie, 3, and Rhett, 1), and I’m always down for a good vanilla latte and a big vision convo. With deep roots in missions (shoutout to my grandparents who grew up in the bush of North India!) and a passion to see Revelation 7:9 become reality, I’m all in on helping you say “yes” to Jesus and cross borders for the sake of the gospel.​
4. WHY TRUST THE BIBLE WHEN...?
Aaron Trent
LOCATION: Salon B & C (Main Session Room) (map)
Why trust the Bible when...? How would you finish the question? Perhaps you've faced uncertainty regarding the trustworthiness of God's Word. Or perhaps you've encountered friends who wrestle with the moral goodness of Scripture. Whatever the specific obstacle you've heard or encountered, trusting the Bible is a central issue in your own discipleship to Jesus and in your commission to make disciples of Jesus. Join us to investigate what the Bible is, why we can trust it, and how it necessarily reverberates throughout a laborer's life and ministry.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Aaron Trent serves as a planting pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in the Northland of Kansas City. He also works at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, equipping pastors and local leaders to provide church-based theological training around the world. Prior to moving to Kansas City, he served with the Navigators at the University of Kansas for 11 years. During Aaron’s time as an undergraduate student at Kansas State University, God used several older students to help him grow in following Jesus by opening God's Word with him. Learning from their example and trusting God, Aaron began to live and labor among the lost on campus at K-State by opening God's Word with others. His years as a student were foundational for his present-day participation in making disciples of Jesus Christ. Aaron and his wife, Grace, live in Liberty, Missouri. They have been married for 10 years and they have five children ranging in age from 9 to 1.
5. BE STRONG IN GRACE: PRAYER AND BIBLE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE
Michael Torres
LOCATION: Water Room (map)
Prayer and the Word of God have always been foundational in the believer’s daily life with God. But if you’re like me, prayer can be a struggle, and the Bible can be confusing, intimidating, and seem disconnected from my daily life. What is this practice of a “quiet time” supposed to look like? And why do we need these daily practices, anyway? If time in the Bible and prayer feels like a struggle for you, or you’re unsure how to teach this to others, come join me to explore the heart of this practice and learn a simple model that I hope will help you experience God’s grace as you journey to know Christ and become more like Him.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
I got involved with The Navigators as a sophomore at Texas A&M. Since then, I’ve served on staff at A&M, UT, and now serve at The University of Arkansas. As I type this, our 18-month-old daughter is attempting to pull highlighters out of my backpack (probably to try to eat them), our dog is clamoring for my attention (because it’s almost time for nom noms), and my wife Amanda is wanting to know our plan for dinner. I think this means my work is wrapped up for the day. And in case you’re wondering, we decided on sushi for dinner.​
6. WHAT WAS THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS WANTED YOU TO TAKE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH?
Bill Tell
LOCATION: Metal Room (map)
The gospel that Jesus commands us to take to every creature may be different than what we think. It is for most people. The good news is bigger, more revolutionary, radical, and life-altering than we tend to think or live. Come and be radicalized.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Bill and Sue have been on Navstaff for over 50 years. Yikes! Bill has served as a Campus Director, Regional Leader and as Deputy U.S. Directors. Currently they serve as leadership mentors to the collegiate staff.
7. A PLENTIFUL HARVEST
Steve Shank
LOCATION: Wood Room (map)
The who, what, when, where, why, and how of being a laborer in His harvest field.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Steve and Kara Shank have five children and have been on staff with the Navigators since 2003. They have served in various roles, both in Collegiate and elsewhere in the Navigators, but now serve as the Divisional Director for both the North Central and the Central Divisions. They love people and the outdoors, after having had two labrador retrievers, they are still trying to figure out their golden doodle… A life verse for their family is 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 and their prayer is that the love of God would be the compelling factor of their life.
8. FOLLOWING JESUS IN THE GREEK WORLD
Keith Pepsny
LOCATION: Fire Room (map)
1st Session Only
Keith Pepsny has spent years walking with fraternity and sorority students who are learning how to follow Jesus right where they are. In this session, you’ll open the Bible together and explore what it looks like to live out your faith, have compassion, and be a light within Greek life or any other relational network.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP LEADER:
Born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in a small Ohio town among Amish neighbors, Keith now calls Seattle home, where he and his wife of 23 years are raising three teenagers. He serves as the regional collegiate director for the Pacific Northwest Navigators and has ministered with The Navigators in Maryland, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington for more than 25 years. Keith deeply loves God, his family, college students, weightlifting, and just about any sport.