Doug Sparks
Team Leader, Founding Missionary • 1956
American
Led the pioneer team from Formosa to Kenya; claimed Genesis 22:17–18 over Africa while watching the stars over Nairobi.
Heritage of Leadership
A Legacy of Stewardship
From the first missionaries in 1956 to the current national leadership, these men and women have faithfully discipled generations to know Christ and make Him known.
Founding Missionaries (1956–1966)
The team that arrived in June 1956 to evangelise Mau Mau detainees and establish the Correspondence School.
Robert (Bob) Howarth
Founding Missionary • 1956–1963
Kenyan-British (settler family)
Born and raised in Kenya; wrestled with his calling at Glen Eyrie before returning as a missionary; arrived by sea with ministry materials (27 August 1956).
Joe and Dottie Shankle
Founding Missionaries • 1956–1957
American
Set up the Westlands home base and Correspondence School; Joe later returned to Fuller Theological College to complete his degree.
Dick Hightower
Founding Missionary • 1956
American
Africa Inland Mission veteran with years of experience in Kenya and Tanganyika; helped establish the initial work.
Gene and Dean Denler
Evangelists • 1956–1957
American
Twin brothers who spent two intensive months preaching and playing trumpet through most detention camps and prisons; trained African evangelists for continuity.
Ed and Ruth Reis
Country Leaders • 1957–1961
American
Arrived September 1957; Ed immediately rose to the challenge of leading the transition from camp ministry to church and village discipleship.
David and Shirley Steel
Nav Representatives • 1963–1964
British
Focused on deepening one-on-one discipleship with six key Kenyan men — Mwiiri, Gitau, Thuo, Tumbo, Karuga, and Muhu.
Pioneering Missionaries (1967–1986)
The missionary generation that built the university and high school ministries, and raised the first generation of Kenyan leaders.
Jim and Jeri White
Country Leaders — University Ministry • 1967–1973
American
Pioneered the university ministry at University of Nairobi; their home was a haven for students. Jeri went to be with the Lord in 2021; Jim in 2024.
Dave and Sherry Hall
University Ministry • c.1970–1975
American
Launched The Coffee House outreach at University of Nairobi — a creative approach that drew students into Gospel conversations through music and hospitality.
Lena Hagegård
Secretary and Women's Discipler • 1970–1977
Swedish
Invested deliberately in five key women and returned to Sweden when her training season was complete — a model of focused, intentional discipleship.
Duane and Joan Bundt
University Ministry • 1972–1975
American
Believed God for 'people addicted to the vision of multiplying disciples'; witnessed students from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania owning the vision themselves.
Noel and Karin Nelson
Country Leaders • 1973–1977
American
Led the Kenya work; first met Ove Tinggaard as a high school student in Copenhagen — they were reunited in Africa years later serving together.
Linda Dunn
Personal Secretary and Women's Discipler • 1974 onwards
American
Discipled women at UON Medical School; later settled with Ghana Navigators and remains there today. Travelled from Ghana to be a bridesmaid at Sarah Mutua's wedding.
Ove and Annmarie Tinggaard
High School Ministry Pioneers • 1973–1987
Danish
Pioneered high school ministry, welcoming students into their home; moved to Nakuru in 1982, then returned to Denmark in 1987. Annmarie went home to be with the Lord in 2019.
Per-Olof and Lena Edström
Community Ministry Pioneers • Early 1970s onwards
Swedish
Pioneered Community Ministry at University of Nairobi and among young professionals; their Golf Course Estate home became an affordable Navigators property.
Marvin and Georgette Smith
Country Leaders (transition) • 1973–1974
American
Provided continuity between Jim White and Noel Nelson. Marvin went home to be with the Lord in 2007.
Bob and Carolyn Sparks
Church Discipleship Ministry Founders • 1982–1987
American
Arrived during an attempted coup; established the Church Discipleship Ministry. Their interest-free loan became the seed capital for EPTF.
Bruce and Marg Van Wyk
Country Leaders • 1977–1986
South African
Led Operation Joshua (1982), oversaw the purchase of Kindaruma Road property, and passed the leadership baton to Mutua Mahiaini in 1986.
Mike and Chris Treneer
Africa Regional Directors • 1981–1998
British
Set up The Navigators Africa Regional Office in Nairobi; later served as International President (2004–2015). Mike was present when Mutua Mahiaini was commissioned as Kenya's first national Country Leader.
Challie and Patty Sillavan
Community Ministry • c.1980s
American
Served faithfully in Community Ministry; Challie's deep teaching and investment in men like Samson Wasao rippled across nations and generations.
Sarah Cox
Community Presbyterian Church Missionary • c.1970s–1980s
American
Close friend of Lena Hagegård; invested in students at a local Nairobi church, including Lois Semenye who joined the first Nav high school Core Team.
Ruth Knutson
Women's Ministry • c.1980s
American
Known for deep cross-cultural love; affectionately given tribal pet names across four communities. Worked extensively with women in Nairobi before settling in Eldoret.
Ron and MaryAnne Shimkus
Africa Ministry Training Centre • c.1980s
American
Established the Navigator Ministry Training Centre for Africa in Nairobi; Ron later served in Zimbabwe before being promoted to glory.
George and Judy Gomoll
Church Discipleship Ministry • 1986 (Uganda); 1995 (Kenya)
American
Pioneered CDM at All Saints Cathedral, Kampala; developed the Growing in Discipleship Bible study series; later joined the Embu Navigators team.
John and Suzie O'Hair
High School Ministry Leaders • c.1980s–1990s
American
Led the High School ministry after the Tinggaards; strengthened discipleship through conferences, hikes, and Core Group. Still maintain deep relations with those they discipled.
Blake Nutter
International Trainee • c.1980s
American
Invested in university students at Kabete Campus, including Stanley Mukolwe who became a National Director.
Dag and Berrit Pagander
Administration • c.1980s–1992
Norwegian
Served over five years in accounting and administration; played a key role transitioning ministry administration from missionary to local Kenyan leadership.
Kenyan National Leaders
The first generation of Kenyan Navigators who stepped into full-time ministry and national leadership.
Esther Waruiru
Navigator Staff; International Executive Team • 1976–2022
One of the first Kenyans on gift income (1978); led Nairobi University ministry from age 25; served on the IET (2005–2014). A spiritual mother to generations.
Sarah Mwayitsi Imbuye Mutua
Navigator Staff; Africa Women's Point-Person • 1978 onwards
First Kenyan Navigator on full gift income (1978); discipled women across Kenya and Nigeria; led formation of the Navigators Africa Women's Desk Team.
Stanley and Monica Murage
Associate Staff; Navigators Kenya Advisory • 1977 onwards
Quantity Surveyor who part-funded the Kindaruma Road property purchase; later Chairman of Armstrong & Duncan and Personal Adviser to Kenya's third president.
Jesse Theuri
Navigator Staff; Board Chair • 1980–2012 (Board)
Joined the Navigators Kenya Board in 1980; served 32 years including as Board Chairman; continued discipling students as a university lecturer for 40 years.
Margaret Kangi Kiremi
Navigator Staff • 1970s onwards
Discipled at University of Nairobi by Lena Hagegård and Sarah Cox; invested deeply in students at Alliance Girls High School for decades.
Jane Odhuno Awiti
Navigator Staff; Academic • 1970s onwards
Part of Lena's five key women; contributed to the high school ministry and helped name the newsletter ENEZA ('spread it, grow it'). Served at Daystar University.
Mutua and Stephanie Mahiaini
Country Leaders; International President • 1986–2025
First Kenyan Country Leaders (1986); Africa Regional Director (1998–2011); International President of The Navigators (2015–2025).
Dennis and Irene Tongoi
Country Leaders • 1985–2000
Pioneered Eldoret ministry (1989); co-led Kenya with Nick Wanyoike (1995–2000). Irene's ministry among women in schools and training flats shaped a generation.
Nick and Florence Wanyoike
Country Leaders; Africa Regional Team • 1981–2000 (national); 2000 onwards (regional)
Co-led Kenya with Dennis Tongoi (1995–2000); joined the God Squad on motorcycles; later transitioned to the Africa Regional team. Florence discipled by Esther Waruiru.
Paul and Ciku Kimani
Country Leaders; Focus Ministry • 1986 onwards
Pioneered Mombasa ministry (1994); Country Leaders after Dennis and Nick; now serve as alongsiders in the focus ministry network across Africa.
Stanley and Patience Mukolwe
Country Leaders • 2006–2015
Led a 600% growth in staff numbers and monthly fundraising; built the new office block at Kindaruma Road; established annual fundraising training seminars.
Chris and Anne Amulo
Country Leaders; Africa Regional Team • 2015–2023
Deepened corporate prayer as the heartbeat of the ministry; established the revolving housing fund and endowment; now serves on the Africa Regional Team.
Alex and Monica Kiamba
Country Leaders (current) • 2023 onwards
Commissioned October 2023; trusting God to raise and send labourers to unreached people in Kenya and three African countries in the next five years.
Adams and Sarah Mutonga
Pioneering Staff; Country Leaders, Tanzania • 1994 onwards
Pioneered Machakos (1994); served 17 years in Tanzania before returning to Kenya as alongsiders supporting DMLT and STEM trainers.
David and Agiso Odhuno
Pioneering Staff; Country Leaders, Botswana • 1993 onwards
Pioneered Kisumu ministry (1993); led the work for 11 years; moved to Botswana (2005) as Navigator missionaries.