Since our previous newsletter last June a lot has been going on. Let us take a moment to catch you up.

We have had a busy and exciting eight months. Forth of July weekend Art delivered the message at Briggs Baptist Church where he challenged the congregation to yield to a discipleship lifestyle. That was followed by a trip to visit donors and the leadership of our supporting churches.

In August we attended a First Responder Staff retreat at Navigator’s Headquarters at Glen Eyrie. After almost twenty years on staff we finally got to stay in the castle…albeit in the servant’s wing. It was a great time with Nav First Responder staff from around the country. Art taught the sessions on Practical Discipleship.

We kicked off our First Responder Mini Discipleship Conferences. These one day conferences are designed to encourage and equip first responders to discipleship within their agencies. We have been able to have conferences in Austin, San Antonio, the Dallas area, and an upcoming conference in Miami, FL. We have held them in hotels, civic centers, churches and one in the San Antonio down-town police headquarters. Art teaches the seriousness and simplicity of reaching their peers for Christ by having the proper tools in their duty belts. The call is to “Know Christ and make Him Known”.

Art has been discipling Doug and Michael for almost a year now. They in turn have been reaching out to fellow officers and developing discipleship relationships. Doug shared the “Duty Belt” at the SAPD mini conference.

We attended the Nav Military Stakeholders Conference in South Carolina and Robin was able to attend the All Mil Women’s Conference in Waxahachie, TX. Art has also been participating in leader-ship training through the Navigator’s LDI program. All of these conferences and trainings have helped us to continue learning and sharing what we have learned during our time in ministry.

We are grateful for technology at this point as the majority of our discipleship/training happens via ZOOM. Art spends most of his day at the computer meeting with staff and first responders from across the country in training and discipleship. Working from home has it’s perks, as you can see by Art’s Mickey ears, Reming-ton was visiting.

Robin continues to serve as Art’s administrative assistant while participating with the First Responders Women’s Core Team.

All this activity has been sprinkled with time spent with family and friends. We are enjoying being closer to our kids, families, and friends. We are settling into our new church and neighborhood and even sneak in a game of pickle-ball whenever we get the chance. Art continues to go to the gym as often as possible and Robin is looking forward to getting back out in the yard this spring.

The kids are all doing well and live close enough to get together from time to time. We love living in the middle and being the meeting spot. Robin has the privilege of watching Remington a couple of days a week, what a joy that little boy is! By the time you receive this letter, Elizabeth will have delivered our second grandson. We could not be more excited.

Let's Catch Up!

It has been three months now since we arrived back in Texas to begin our new role ministering to and with First Responders (FRs) in the central and southeast regions of the US. Since January, we packed our belongings, prepared and sold our home, and made the trek back across the western United States. Thanks to the generosity of a dear friend, we will be staying in central Texas while we kick off ministry to FRs in Texas.

Leaving the PNW was bittersweet. We could not be happier to be back near our families, kids and grandson. However, we left behind new friends and neighbors that we have grown to love. We are thankful that two of the airmen in our ministry there stepped up to continue what was started and grow the ministry at McChord AFB. We pray that our neighbors will continue to seek the Lord and love and serve one another (maybe even continue Soup Night!).

Things started off quickly as we reconnected with and made contacts in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. We have made several trips around the state and will making some out of state trips to meet with contacts in our region. We are excited to disciple/train those interested in helping to start ACADs (Agencies Centered Around Discipleship) in their areas.

In addition to training new ACAD leaders, Art is also training new staff from around the country. What an exciting time! Being able to connect face to face on a video call with people all around the country has made the process of training much easier and our reach much broader. Please pray with us that multiplication will happen and these new leaders and staff will be equipped to make disciples where they live, work, and play.

Derrick & Melanie will be helping us make connections in the Dallas area. Melanie was our babysitter when we lived in Sugar Land. We reconnected after 20 years and what a blessing it was to our hearts. Derrick will be consulting with Art to develop effective outreach and discipling methods to minority groups.

Chuck & Lisa are joining our team. Chuck is a retired police officer and Lisa a retired police chaplain. They have been ministering to the law enforcement community for 30+ years and are now training to lead an ACAD outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Doug is with the San Antonio police department and is cur-rently receiving training on how to reach out to and disciple his fellow officers. Art had the opportunity to attend a ser-vice honoring first responders where Doug preached an in-credible sermon on “Paying Attention to God”.

Mark 5:18-20 tells the end of Jesus’ encounter with Legion, a man possessed by many demons. After Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, he prepared to leave the area. 

“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you

. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed

Your testimony is a great place to start! 

Whether you have been a follower of Jesus for many years or you are new to the faith, writing out your testimony is a great tool in helping you to prepare to share the gospel to others. Following Paul’s example in Acts 26, sharing the “before, how, and since” of your life in Christ.

Once you have written out your story, review it to make sure you have included the need for Christ in your life; the clear message of the gospel; and that it is understandable to someone who is unfamiliar with Christian terms and ideas.

Next, try to rewrite it into a short version that can be shared when your window of opportunity may be limited. We call this a mini-mony. Imagine if all believing first responders had their mini-mony prepared and could share it with people in the most trying circumstances. Imagine if all believers would be prepared.

The Nickols are all doing well. They are enjoying their summer break with a long road trip to visit Trey’s family in Oregon and friends in California.

Remington and Pappa always find time to play. We love being able to see him often.

Phil and Andrew are roommates in Austin. Phil is working for a security company while waiting to start training as a State Trooper. Andrew is working and training in HVAC. Yes, in the sum-mer in TEXAS ! They visit us often which blesses their momma’s heart.

Home Sweet Home 

Robin and I have been blessed to be partners with you and our Lord in ministering to so many in several locations over the last 18 years.

About six years ago the Navigators Military Mission added First Responders (FRs) to its ministry scope and it is now called the Navigators Military/First Responder Mission. It includes not only Military but Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Personnel. In fact, many FRs are prior military and some currently serve as reservist. What they all have in common is they share the “warrior class” DNA.

In January 2018 I met Chris, the Director of the Navigators First Responder Ministry, at a leadership event and we became instant friends. Since my leadership and regional roles here have dissolved because of current restructuring of our mission as well as Covid shut downs moving ministry online, and the current crisis of FR in Seattle; we began to help out. Chris then asked me to consider a national leadership role to ignite disciple-making ministries in multiple FR agencies across the southeastern US. Our reach would go from just one base to a quarter of the country.

This open door to FRs seemed strange at first but with God nothing is coincidental. 

In the midst of these changes, the extra burdens on FRs and the increased need to reach them with the Gospel, Robin and I were asking the Lord for firm confirmation. He directed my attention to 

"a wide door for effective service has been opened to me".

Our efforts in the FR ministry have already started to flourish. Despite Covid the opportunities to develop new works are “wide open”. We will have more exposure to more people than at any time before.

Thank you for your contin-ued involvement in what God has called us to.

Recently Art met with a Seattle PD officer who is a growing believer.

Over the course of lunch the young officer indicated that he feels like he has missed several opportunities to reach out to fellow officers. When asked why he chose not to intentionally engage them, he said he “didn’t know what to do. “ This lead to an opportunity to engage him to walk as an equipped disciple of Christ.

Over the next several minutes he learned how to write and share his testimony and saw an illustration of the Gospel Bridge to take home and learn.

As we were leaving the restaurant he smiled and said “This is what I’ve been looking for. I feel like I now have what I need to share.” It’s a joy to encourage another to engage our world as we are commissioned in Matt 28:18-20.

From Afghanistan to the Seattle C.H.O.P Zone

Recently, I was able to go on a disaster relief trip to encourage fellow believers of the Seattle PD. One of the highlights of my participation was talking with several officers over a meal and hearing some of their stories and experiences. As I engaged in conversation with a particular officer and former soldier, I was brought to the front lines of the recent protests and demonstrations through his real stories.

He detailed how rioters were throwing and launching, using a large sling shot, frozen water bottles, rocks, urine and even fecal matter. He explained that he was struck in the neck with a hard item, another time he was hit hard enough in the helmet by a frozen water bottle that it made a noticeable dent. Yet again he suffered a possible fracture of a bone in his calf when a pipe bomb exploded near him. Without time to check it he said they had to push forward to get to a safer location. He compared his experience as soldier in Afghanistan as somewhat safer than engaging in the hand to hand combat for many nights in the Seattle riots.

As I listened, I had a sense of the reality that these were life and death situations. He was in the midst of it; fighting for his life and the lives of others. I tried to imagine myself on that front line as he spoke and had a deep sense of fear go through my body. I am amazed at the selfless bravery and courage that these first responders operate by both on and off duty.

Shortly after that, several of us drove to and walked around the area that once was considered CHOP. Seeing the place where these stories took place made it even more real to me. There were various types of graffiti and murals painted all over buildings, roads, and walking surfaces that revealed hatred toward anyone who represented authority. There was also a garden planted in a nearby park that was to memorialize the occupation of the area. It was being tended and guarded by a few young men to ensure its permanence. At the same time there was a peace in the area as if nothing had happened there.

In my attempt to encourage and support these admirable first responders, I was the one who was encouraged and inspired by people of this caliber serving God and the many helpless people against a lawless brood of lost souls.

I hope to have a healthy discipleship influence on fellow believers who risk their lives every day for people like me.

Michael showed up at Chapel Easter Sunday 2 years ago and we began a disciple friendship that day at our ministry Easter lunch and games.

Since then, he has been an integral part of our dorm outreach and bible study. Michael has excelled as an airman and leader among his peers and seeks to honor the Father in every thought and action.

We have engaged in disciple-making efforts and have ministered to several airman. Robin and I have enjoyed his insights, excitement about life and his company. He helps lead our weekly bible study and continues to grow his faith.

He and Rachel have been courting for a few years now and asked us to do pre-marital counseling and officiate their wedding. It was such an honor to be a part of this special day. Seeing a couple committed to follow the Lord with their lives and marriage.

are living in Hewitt TX. Remi is growing so fast. Elizabeth is attending seminary and Trey is working as a LVN while pursuing his BSN.

will graduate from TSU in December with a degree in Criminal Justice. He is currently job searching while working security.

will graduate high school in December and continue working while he considers his next steps.

He and Phil have been sharing an apartment in Austin since June.

has had extra time to engage our ministry efforts more deeply since we are now empty nesters. She has added ministry ‘executive assistant’ to her roles of wife, mother, and grandma. She also enjoys engaging with our neighbors.

misses the kids but enjoys the new nest also. He enjoys the tempo as he meets with airmen, soldiers and first responders, teaches studies, develops staff training programs and recently has been discipling some of his family members.

We traveled more this year than any other time in our lives.

Robin drove to TX in Jan to deliver Elizabeth’s car.

We went to Hawaii on a ministry trip to visit staff there.

We flew to TX in May to visit but were quarantined the whole visit.

We drove to Texas in June to move Andrew and get him registered in school. On our trip home we broke down in South Dakota. This happened two miles from Mt Rushmore the day before President Trump was to be there for the Forth of July. We just happened to stall at the corner where police and secret service we set up to monitor people flow.

We flew back to TX in Oct to host a FR ministry conference.

We look forward to returning once more for Christmas.

In between these trips we made several local trips for ministry and our 26th anniversary. Whew!

We pray you have all been safe and healthy, enjoying the blessings of the Lord.

Expanding Ministry

Life and ministry here in WA continue to be blessed and bear fruit. Even with the current health crisis we have found ways to stay connected and deepen relationships. When the crisis began to capture the world’s attention God seemed to impress on me that He was going to touch many lives in a very personal way.

As the “stay at home” orders were beginning to sweep the nation, I thought what a great time to do several home projects. So, I began to dive in. After a few days while taking out the trash, I missed a stair step and came crashing down onto the trash. When I stood up, I felt the sting of pain in my foot and realized it was broken. The Lord then reminded me of other studies, books, and discipleship projects I had lined up on my desk which I never seem to have time for. I thanked Him for His work in my life and am now writing this long overdue ministry update for starters.

God’s personal touch is also happening with my daughter Elizabeth and her husband Trey. When the gov’t halted all non-critical military moves, it put them in a serious predicament. Trey was on the last week of his Army nurse training and was supposed to take a national test, graduate, then leave their rented apartment at Walter Reed in MD and move back to TX to their newly purchased home. They seemed to be stuck and didn’t know if they should wait it out, move anyway or for Trey to stay and Elizabeth move alone. They asked how to clearly know what God would have them do. After sharing some principles with them, they went to the Lord for His specific will and waited. Within hours they heard from the Army that they could move and test later when the facilities opened. As soon as they arrived at their new place the news reported that Gov Abbot opened all medical test facilities to get medical folks in the field. Trey was able to the test and is now waiting to hear whether he will deploy with the Reserves or work at a local hospital.

We are hearing many stories just like these from those in our ministry and from friends and family. God is always amazing us and we are continually awed by how He can orchestrate purpose and order in the midst of continual chaos.

Our Navigators ministry at McChord AFB is going well even though we haven’t been to the base in a couple weeks. We are holding our Wednesday discipleship study using Zoom and have seen more attend consistently on video than in person. The fellowship has deepened, and many are sharing their “social distancing” and witnessing stories.

Meeting one to one with airmen has not skipped a beat either. Many have been off work and confined to their dorms or homes as they rotate on “skeleton crews” at work. So, they’re available more now than before. Meeting on Zoom or messenger video has created great opportunities to continue personal discipleship.

Our neighborhood outreach effort has been blessed also. We started a monthly soup night where our neighbors are invited to bring their own bowls and spoons for free soup and conversation. We have had a house full each time and have connected with several neat people. We were able to follow up with some and introduce the Gospel. We also were able to meet and encourage those who are already believers. We look forward to when we can open our doors again.

fruitful ministry, bringing the Gospel and call to discipleship at JBLM

develop airmen as disciple-makers in their own networks of people

protection, encouragement and strength for our family

wisdom, opportunities and effectiveness to

opportunities to share Christ with our neighbors

CROSSED PATHS

DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

BUILD FAITH. IN YOURSELF,
AND IN THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT.

WHY CROSSED
PATHS

Our ministry is built on decades of discipleship training and experience. Our primary mission is to equip individuals with tools to strengthen their faith, so they can strengthen the faith of others.

Our ministry is built on decades of discipleship training and experience. Our primary mission is to equip individuals with tools to strengthen their faith, so they can strengthen the faith of others.

TRAINING COURSE

No better time to start training than now. Let's get to it!

Ministry Update

Keep up to date with the latest from Crossed Paths

posted on Wed, 02 Feb 2022
Since our previous newsletter last June a lot has been going on. Let us take a moment to catch you up. We have had a busy and exciting eight months. Forth of July weekend Art delivered the message at

CROSSED PATHS

DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY

BUILD FAITH. IN YOURSELF, AND IN THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT.

WHY CROSSED PATHS

Our ministry is built on decades of discipleship training and experience. Our primary mission is to equip individuals with tools to strengthen their faith, so they can strengthen the faith of others.

Our ministry is built on decades of discipleship training and experience. Our primary mission is to equip individuals with tools to strengthen their faith, so they can strengthen the faith of others.

TRAINING COURSE

No better time to start training than now. Let's get to it!Start

Ministry Update

Keep up to date with the latest from Crossed Paths

posted on Wed, 02 Feb 2022Since our previous newsletter last June a lot has been going on. Let us take a moment to catch you up. We have had a busy and exciting eight months. Forth of July weekend Art delivered the message at...Read More

BUILD FAITH. IN YOURSELF,
AND IN THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT.

WHY CROSSED
PATHS

No better time to start training than now. Let's get to it!

posted on Wed, 02 Feb 2022
Since our previous newsletter last June a lot has been going on. Let us take a moment to catch you up. We have had a busy and exciting eight months. Forth of July weekend Art delivered the message at