Jim White first came into contact with The Navigators in 1953 as a freshman at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. A weekend trip with over a hundred fellow students to a Navigator conference — where Dawson Trotman was the speaker — changed the course of his life. He began memorising Scripture and became deeply involved with The Navigators at Baylor.
Jeri encountered The Navigators in 1956 through a friend from church who invited her to Glen Eyrie for a staff meeting. She met Dawson and several other Navigators and was captivated by their vision of life-to-life discipleship. At the time she was serving with Young Life, but felt called to join The Navigators, and moved to Los Angeles by faith to receive mentoring and training from Nav women.
Jim and Jeri married while serving with The Navigators, and in 1967 they moved to Nairobi to pioneer university ministry in Kenya.
A Home That Shaped a Generation
From 1967 to 1973, the Whites’ home in Nairobi became a haven for students. Bible study, prayer, and fellowship were woven into the rhythm of daily life. Jim and Jeri lived what they taught: discipling through the Word, prayer, evangelism, Scripture memory, and personal mentoring. Their influence was profound, grounding young men and women who would later become faithful workers for the Gospel and leaders greatly impacting the marketplace, churches, and the Navigators movement globally.
Door-to-door evangelism was one of their methods. Jeri would go room to room at the women’s residences inviting girls to Bible study. It was this way that Esther Waruiru — making her bed on her first day at campus — was invited in. That encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong calling for Esther.
One of their early cultural adjustments was learning to navigate the differences between Kenyan and American social norms. Jeri recalled struggling to understand Kenyan accents and remembering names. She laughed as she remembered calling out to a student she recognised — only for the girl to reply, “I’m sorry, you wazungu all look alike to me!” That moment, Jeri later said, helped her realise that cultural learning went both ways. Jim and Jeri grew to love the people and cultures deeply, learning to depend wholly on God in their cross-cultural journey.
A Trustworthy Deed of the Lord
In 1969, Jim spoke about the Christian life at Lenana School. A Form Two student in the audience had been saved earlier but was struggling with his faith. Jim’s message made him feel that salvation could work. After the service, the young man made a beeline for him: “Mr. White, what you have said today is what I need! Please help me, I want to know how to walk with God like this!” Jim placed his arm around him and prayed for him.
That student was Mutua Mahiaini — who would one day become International President of The Navigators Worldwide Movement.
Jim told Jeri about Mutua that same evening. She encouraged Jim to help him, but Jim was swamped with work at the university and instead wrote to the Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa in London, requesting a missionary to work among high school students. That letter set in motion a chain of events that eventually brought Ove Tinggaard to Kenya.
A Living Legacy
The influence of Jim and Jeri extended far beyond the campus. Their exemplary marriage and ministry shaped many young couples who watched and learned from them. Jim’s gentle leadership and Jeri’s wisdom in counselling helped lay a foundation for godly homes across Kenya.
Jeri went to be with the Lord in 2021. Jim followed in 2024. Together, they left behind fond memories and a living legacy — men and women who continue to multiply disciples and carry forward the work that began with their quiet faithfulness.