SEATTLE, Wash. – Gary Glenney, who grew up on a farm in Sweetland Township, is a leader in The Navigators, a worldwide Christian training program equipping people for a life of faith through one-to-one or small group relationships.

Gary, 64, is a 1963 graduate of Muscatine High School. He is the son of Merle and the now-late Mildred Glenney.

Gary attended Muscatine Community College for one year, and then graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in agronomy in 1968. He entered the U.S. Army and went to Fort Bliss, Texas, for basic training. After basic he was sent to Alaska and served until June 1970 at the Army Arctic Test Center in the nuclear, biological and chemical division.

“I had become involved in The Navigators at ISU through my fraternity, which was also my Dad’s fraternity,” he said. “Later I received a master’s degree from the Dallas Theological Seminary and was ordained. Some of the Navigator staff people are ordained, but most are not.

“From 1971-79, I developed college ministries on four campuses in the Northwest. Then, from 1980 to 2000, I supervised Navigator staff in various roles.”

While he was the Pacific Northwest director, Gary was responsible for overseeing 50 staff members and their collegiate, military and community ministries in a five-state area.

“The Navigators began in 1933, started by Dawson Trotman. In World War II there were thousands of men on U.S. Navy ships who were helping other sailors grow spiritually. After WWII, Navigators extended from the military to colleges nationwide.

“Today there are more than 4,000 staff members of 64 nationalities serving in more than 100 countries,” said Gary, adding that Billy Graham, speaking at Trotman’s funeral in 1956, said “I think that Dawson Trotman touched more lives than any man I have ever known.”

Navigator’s goal

Gary said The Navigators’ purpose is summed in John 10:10 where Jesus said, “I have come that you might have a life full of purpose, meaning and abundance, now, and for                           

eternity.”

“Navigators do their ministry by working interdependently with churches and other organizations with which the particular person we are helping may be associated,” Gary said.

“The Navigator organization does not start churches and is non-denominational. We help people through one-to-one coaching, small group discussions, conference and workshops in conjunction with their own churches.

“Navigators’ goal is to mentor and coach people to integrate their faith in Christ into their own character, loving their families, and serving others in their communities, churches, and workplaces. We train people to learn how to help others living around them to discover this meaning and purpose for their own lives.  We also train people in leadership so they can more effectively serve people in their own spheres of influence,” he said.

“In 1988 Navigators reorganized around cities nationwide. I was asked in 1990 to develop of new type of city ministry in Seattle. I led the staff team here until 2000, at which time I helped form a new, younger city leadership team to take my place. I now help with that team, and also have developed a business and professional ministry in the Seattle area.

“I find that some people I meet with deal with major problems or addictions in their personal lives and families. They have no one they can trust with these troubling areas of their lives.

“I try to provide a safe, confidential and listening environment in a one-to-one or small group setting where they can discover answers to these life issues.

“I am currently involved with 10 small groups. It is a lot of fun interacting in these groups with company CEOs and other business leaders in how to apply practical Biblical principals to business and people situations.

“I have found the happiest people are those in touch with God and who live primarily to serve others, whether it be family, community, or the great needs around the world.”

Muscatine memories

“I have many good memories of Muscatine and growing up on the farm. I grew up in a wonderful, fun, home environment. People in the community, the Sweetland Methodist Church, and my family played a large role in providing values that set my life direction,” he said.

Glenney and his wife, Darla, were married in 1972. She is from Zearing, Iowa, and is an ISU grad. They have three children. Their son, Brian, is a college professor in the Boston area. He and his wife have four children.

The Glenneys have two daughters. Sharon is an interior design graduate, expecting her second child in August. Her husband Matt is construction management graduate and superintendent for a marine construction company near Seattle.

The youngest daughter, Carrie, has a human services degree, and is completing a second degree moving toward graduate school in microbiology. Her husband, Jan, is a computer software engineer with Microsoft in the Seattle area.

“All my family has enjoyed returning to Muscatine for visits every year since they were born. Many of their good values were influenced by my parents and farm life,” he said.

“My sister, Linda Shoppa, is retired from the Muscatine school system. She and her husband, Larry, live on a farm. My sister, Joan Bartenhagen, is retired from nursing and her husband, Fred, farms. My brother, Dwight and his wife, Dianne, also farms. They all live near Muscatine.”