My name is Matthew Podszus and my wife’s name is Kori. We direct the Navigator ministry here at KU. If you’ve never heard of The Navigators, and your son or daughter comes home and tells you, “I’m really involved with The Navigators!” you might be tempted to pick up the phone.  

Hopefully not. If you’ve heard of us it is probably because of one of three things: (1) a scripture memory program you’ve done, (2) our publishing house or (3) you vaguely remember some folks you know saying something about us.

If you haven’t heard of us it is probably because we’re really excited about people meeting one-to-one, leading small group Bible studies or discussions and NOT going on staff with us. We really love to help people simply invest in the spiritual needs around them as a lifestyle. We want to help people follow Jesus closely and help others do the same.

In the ‘30s our founder, Dawson Trotman, helped a sailor named Les Spencer grow deeply in his relationship with Jesus. Les met another sailor in need of some spiritual help. He asked Dawson, but Dawson refused! “You help him,” he said. Les replied, “Oh, I could never do for him what you did for me.” Dawson replied, “Then I failed.”

Les ended up helping that friend. And we’ve approached ministry that way ever since.

We’re an international ministry (in over 100 countries). We’re on over 100 campuses, too. We also help people in the military, community and church. We try to pass on the vision and skills for anyone and everyone to help their friends spiritually.

We believe and know that if we do this well we will impact the world. Former students from KU Navs are doing so in China, Turkey, Malawi, the U.K., Costa Rica and all over the U.S.

Don’t hesitate to contact me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you have questions. If you’re ever in Lawrence, please come by one of our meetings!