Colin & Louise Gillies
"When Louise and I were students we both found the input of an older believer walking alongside us and a community committed to spiritual growth to be truly transformative. We are excited by the thought of people receiving what we experienced, then passing it on to future generations."
We currently serve as Navigators Reps by participating in the work of our local church, Cornerstone, St Andrews. Our primary focus is undergraduate students.
My work
Giving
More about my work
In 1999 we turned up independently of each other, but both in loose-fit jeans, to study in Edinburgh. Over the next year we were both introduced to an inter-denominational small-group community called the Navigators.
We were struck by their passion to know Jesus, their commitment to live according to the scriptures and their clear sense of purpose: that anyone could grow to maturity and have a significant impact on others' growth. Perhaps the most formative part of our experience was the depth of intentional relationship. We were given the gift of mature older friends who walked with us, answered our questions, asked new questions and most importantly, showed us what it meant to go about their normal life in living relationship with Jesus.
After we married, Colin worked in addiction support and did a theology degree, Louise trained and worked as a teacher; we moved house three times, all within a ten minute walk; and we had three children. During those 22 years we continued to get alongside students, with Colin leading the Navs student team for the second half of that period. Those years came with many challenges and steep learning curves, particularly around leadership. But God also brought many wonderful people along our path, both students and co-workers. Over the years we have had the joy of seeing many of those we have invested in continue to walk with God into their adulthood, envisioned and equipped to get alongside others wherever life has taken them.
Isaiah 43:6 was an important promise during those years: "I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—"
It's hard to believe that people involved in Edinburgh Navs have gone, not only gone into every part of the UK, but also to many other countries around the world.
In August 2021 we moved to St Andrews to be part of Cornerstone's work among students. The opportunity to work within a church that shares our passion for making disciples among students is very exciting.
Becoming a partner
In Matthew 9 Jesus looks out over the "harassed and helpless" people and urges us to "ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field". Can there be many prayers more strategically important than this? If you resonate with our vision of seeing young people being helped towards the spiritual maturity of sharing Jesus through a transformed life, then we'd be delighted to add you to our mailchimp list. We aim to send out regular prayer updates and two newsletters each year.
As Navigators Reps we raise our salary through the support of indivduals who share our conviction that these kinds of relationship not only change lives, but impact future generations. Could you be part of this? If you would like to discuss this or want to know anything about what we do in St Andrews, then please get in touch.