Daws: The Story of Dawson Trotman, Founder of the Navigators

This book is an accurate and thorough history of the beginning of the Navigators military parachurch ministry during the Great Depression. I know this book is accurate because of my own experiences fellowshipping with the Navigators for ten years while in the military. The book begins with a young Dawson eager to witness about Christ, meeting with a group of sailors behind a TEXACO station.An article in Collier's magazine featuring the ministry in 1941 created rapid growth and recognition with eventual incorporation. As the ministry grew, Dawson moved into a large house instead of gas stations. Daws was concerned about the lack of a credible ministry to the Navy when he met an old Christian petty officer who repeated basic verses over again endlessly. Dawson, however, was never in the military. It was during this period that Daws developed the concept of "key men." The book describes Dawson amazing ability to memorize verses which was later to became the Topical Memory System. The cards used today are in fact the same size as the inner pocket of a Navy jacket used at that time. The rigor of the memory system speaks well for the ministry ands is important for spiritual growth. I had them all memorized at one time and regret not keeping up with the system. The Topical Memory System unfortunately was followed often in the military Bible studies I was acquainted with but has since slipped into disuse in some NAV Bible studies. Dawson's personal shortcomings are not skirted in this book. His insistence on stacking his cards on a certain color of shelf paper and his browbeating of a young sailor for misquoting John 3:16 in public are mentioned. The book focuses on Dawson and mentions very little about the modern organization which is Dawson's spiritual heir. The large house with time became The Glen. The Glen is a former railway magnate's mansion in Colorado which creates the impression of a publishing empire rather than a humble service organization. One wonders whether the large overhead required to maintain such a structure really contributes to spreading the Gospel. Accountability issues seemed to follow the Navs often in my own experiences with the ministry. In one county where I was stationed there were three Nav reps: two couples and one single man living in houses far larger than what necessity would determine located far from the only military post. When I brought this issue up tactfully I received the same answer: I don't want my house becoming a USO club. One rep even said that the house represented an image he had to maintain when I asked him why he didn't move into a smaller house closer to the post. Did Dawson's moving into the first house set a precedent for the upper middle class image of this ministry? Ironically, the last home of Dawson- his grave- was placed on a hill top overlooking the Glen. One of the men who carried the casket up the hill described how Daws wanted to be buried where he prayed often and how difficult

I first was introduced to the Navigators ministry when I was in the Navy in the 70s. I read this book wen it came out and it touched my heart how God used this man with his many weaknesses to accomplish great things. I always remember the story of how God used this man to start what is now a global ministry.

Dawson Trotman provides an example of what God can do with consistent commitment, purposeful passion, and relentless perseverance. His simple message--profoundly reflected in this book--that memory of and meditation upon Scripture will be a catalyst to a life of significance and service in the Kingdom of God. This commitment led me to reflect more than once throughout the book that all that Daws accomplished was without many of the advantages of today (the Internet, modern communication, etc.). And yet, my conclusion is that his commitment, passion and perseverance led to his significance and that the present day is so lacking in such individuals in large part because of the distractions that come with our heightened advantages. We are but children in the use of such tools. It is like 16-year-olds being given high performance sports cars with nowhere of note to travel. This book has been a major wake-up call for me to take note of the simple message that God's Word is worthy of great personal sacrifice and obedience.

Reading Daws opened my eyes to one of the major purposes in God's plan for the life of his people - to reach others with his love. Daws is an extremely well written biography that takes you inside Dawson Trotman's life and experience, but also takes you into his thoughts, showing you how he changed over a lifetime to understand the mission which had captured his heart - to know God and make Him known. Towards the end, the book grows too focused on events on not on Daws' life, but it is otherwise an impacting, convicting, and inspirational read. A very worthwhile biography for anyone seeking to know God and make Him known.

Betty Skinner has written a wonderful, thought provoking book about a true giant of modern Christianity - Dawson Trotman, founder and driving force of the Navigators. From his early days as a rebel and "bad boy" through his conversion and the development of his heart for others to his untimely death saving another person's life, this book challenged me to see in people great potential, but more importantly, to see in myself a call to disciple others - to help others move closer to God in their everyday life. It left me unsettled...but excited to get down to basics - pouring my life into others!