{"id":266941,"date":"2025-07-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?p=266941"},"modified":"2025-08-19T08:57:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:57:03","slug":"a-citywide-vision-simple-and-intentional-discipleship-in-jacksonville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/blog\/a-citywide-vision-simple-and-intentional-discipleship-in-jacksonville\/","title":{"rendered":"A Citywide Vision: Simple and Intentional Discipleship in Jacksonville"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In 2010, Navigators <a href=\"https:\/\/donations.navigators.org\/s\/fund\/a4e1Q000000Ui5YQAS\/john-and-melissa-teten\/?sf_ac=w07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John and Melissa Teten<\/a> moved to Jacksonville to pioneer a new college ministry at the University of North Florida (UNF), wondering how the Lord might move in the hearts of students and in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Facebook-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Three men walk outdoors in front of a modern, arched metal building, each holding a Bible and smiling in conversation, surrounded by leafless trees and cloudy skies.\" class=\"wp-image-266943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Facebook-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Facebook-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Facebook-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Facebook.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jacksonville Navigators gather at a retreat at Congaree and Penn Farms<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, 15 years later, that ministry has grown, not only at the collegiate level, but across the community. From workplaces to neighborhoods to campuses, everyday disciplemakers are rising up across Jacksonville, spreading the gospel with a holistic vision for the entire city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat we long to see are people that will make disciples for the rest of their lives,\u201d John says, who is now the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/ministry\/navigators-collegiate\/?sf_ac=w07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Navigators Collegiate<\/a> Southeast Division Director. \u201cOur calling is a long-term vision, even if that looks a little different through the seasons of life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three such disciplemakers \u2014 Brian, Ahmani, and Steven \u2014&nbsp;are creating impact in the unique circles that God has placed them in, making the most of their gifts and callings right where they are in Jacksonville. Their stories are just a small glimpse into the bigger picture of how God is moving in Jacksonville \u2014&nbsp;one faithful disciple at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kingdom Impact in Jacksonville\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aEKQlgoV32Q?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.navigators.org&#038;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Answered Prayers on Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When John first arrived at UNF, there was no Navigator presence. He remembers praying for eight men to show up in Bible study that first year. Now, the ministry at UNF is not only growing, but thriving, with a couple hundred students involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEach of those people represents someone who could help someone else, who then could help someone else,\u201d John says. \u201cSo I\u2019m thrilled with what God\u2019s doing at UNF right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, the ministry at UNF is directed by Navigator <a href=\"https:\/\/donations.navigators.org\/s\/fund\/a4e1Q000000cwPXQAY\/brian-and-linsey-incontrera\/?sf_ac=w07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Brian Incontrera<\/a>. Brian first met The Navigators when he was a freshman in college at the University of South Florida when he passed by one of their table booths and was invited to a Bible study. Though he was a Christian, he didn\u2019t really know how to grow in his own faith until he started getting discipled by a Navigator named Luke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a college student, Brian watched as discipleship transformed his walk with the Lord. Now as a Navigator, he passes on what he learned to students at UNF, and he\u2019s watching as the spirit of disciplemaking is taking flight on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOn campus, our students are really focusing on their relationship with the Lord and learning how to make their faith a priority,\u201d Brian says. \u201cThen that will affect them in their walk with the Lord when they graduate and go off in the world. When they have families, jobs, whatever ministry they are doing \u2014&nbsp;they will know how to make Jesus a priority, as well as continue to make disciples wherever they go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the beginning, the collegiate ministry at UNF has been a result of prayer and dedication to the Lord\u2019s work on campus, for John and Brian alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJohn came and prayed and started something here,\u201d Brian says. \u201cNow, coming all this way, I\u2019m the director. And it\u2019s been really cool to see God continue to answer those prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sharing Hope in the Workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Ahmani Joseph, being a therapist and social worker is a calling the Lord put on her heart from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing up, she watched her dad as he did outreach in the city. Working at an urban clothing store in downtown Jacksonville, he started hosting Bible studies in that space for youth in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey would tell him things that were going on in their lives, and he was able to provide hope for them,\u201d Ahmani remembers. \u201cSo I was younger and seeing this, and was like, man, this is something that I want to do. It\u2019s interesting how God places things on your heart when He has a purpose for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahmani started getting involved with The Navigators when she was a student at the University of Central Florida. However, her journey as a disciplemaker really kicked off when she decided to join Navigators staff for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/ministry\/navigators-edge-corps\/?sf_ac=w07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Edge Corps<\/a> at Florida A&amp;M University. Now as a therapist for kids in foster care in Jacksonville, she takes what she learned and shares the hope of Christ in the midst of hard situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI see some of the most broken situations and places, and it can be pretty overwhelming,\u201d she says. \u201cBut my time involved with The Navigators \u2014&nbsp;that experience really taught me how to disciple people, how to walk alongside people, and ways to pass this along to the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through her job, Ahmani\u2019s role is to show compassion, care, and intentionally pray for those God has placed in her path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese kids don\u2019t have people who are praying over them by name, so I do,\u201d she says. \u201cI pray for them that they would feel God pursuing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Faithfulness in the Neighborhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Going into college at UNF, Steven Weatherford didn\u2019t know how to interact with other Christians, share the gospel, or pray. He felt lonely, and he prayed that God would send him someone to lead and teach him about faith. Through The Navigators, God answered his prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was taught by The Navigators and being discipled in the collegiate ministry,\u201d Steven remembers. \u201cI was shown deep care, and my life has been transformed through that. Now I make disciples at my church, my work, and my neighborhood because of what I was taught.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A high school math teacher, Steven intentionally lives out his faith by meeting with coworkers for Bible study and being available to answer students\u2019 questions about life and God. Beyond the school building, Steven has a passion for showing God\u2019s love to his neighbors through acts of kindness or hospitality, opening the door to deeper discussions about faith. From hosting monthly barbecues in his front yard to inviting neighbors into Bible study at his church, he is investing in relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn my neighborhood, it seems like everybody\u2019s from a different country,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing. After I graduated college, the Lord had broken my heart for the nations, and I prayed the Lord would bring me to a neighborhood where there were lots of people from different neighborhoods. After we started talking to our neighbors, I realized that the Lord had answered that prayer to have intentional relationships with people from different backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Holistic City Discipleship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past 15 years, God has nurtured the seeds of faithful prayer and intentional discipleship in Jacksonville through dedicated disciplemakers across the city, each of whom are leaning into the spaces God has placed them to build relationships and live lives that point to Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhether you are Brian or Ahmani or Steven or me and Melissa, the idea is that all of us can make disciples,\u201d John says. \u201cAll of us can be good neighbors, love others, and help people know Christ and make Him known.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Join us in praying over the city of Jacksonville, that believers continue to rise up and work together to make disciples, exactly where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discipleship Tip:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you a good neighbor? Are you seeking ways to be more involved in community? Consider where God has placed you \u2014 where you live, where you work, and who you are around. Think about some people you can pray for by name or reach out to with an invitation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cta ticss-63dda377 has-cool-gray-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-cta-headline\">Share God\u2019s Love With Your Neighbors<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Like those in Jacksonville, you can make disciples right where you are \u2014 in your workplace, neighborhood, school, and beyond. Learn more about how you can start reaching out to those around you by reading The Navigators resource, \u201cShare God\u2019s Love With Your Neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-orange-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/resource\/neighbors\/?sf_ac=w07\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LEARN MORE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Jacksonville, everyday disciplemakers are reaching campuses, neighborhoods, workplaces, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":266942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_helpful_pro_status":1,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,6337],"tags":[1483],"mission":[10349],"topic":[44],"class_list":["post-266941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disciplemaking","category-ministry-impact-stories","tag-disciple","mission-navigators-disciplemakers-for-life","topic-discipleship"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/070825-Article-Web.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"The Navigators","author_link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/staff\/thenavigators\/"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=266941"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":266965,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266941\/revisions\/266965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/266942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=266941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=266941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=266941"},{"taxonomy":"mission","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/mission?post=266941"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=266941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}