Generational Discipleship: How Two Men Passed on a Legacy of Faith and Friendship

Did you know that an intentional friendship can change the course of someone’s life? This was the case for Tyler Flynn — a recipient of generational discipleship whose perspective on friendship was forever altered after two Navigators poured into his life for over 20 years.

It was August of 1990 when Tyler was dropped off at Miami University to begin his freshman year. He was nervous about what college would look like, and was seeking to get involved with a Christian community when someone introduced him to Ward Ballard — a Navigator on campus. Ward was about 10 years older than Tyler, and he had a way of making people feel at ease — exactly what Tyler needed at the time.

Ward began to invite Tyler to Navigator events, and soon they formed a compassionate, brotherly sort of friendship. Tyler was drawn to Ward’s authentic, candid pursuit of Jesus — where he didn’t shy away from doubts or hard conversations — and he was surprised that Ward seemed to not expect anything from him beyond a friendship.

“Before long, I learned that my encounter with Ward was a rare opportunity to see the Christian faith in one of its most simple, but profound, forms,” Tyler remembers. “It was as if he offered me friendship with no strings attached, like a gift someone leaves on one’s doorstep. You could accept the gift, ignore it, throw it away — it’s your choice.”

As Tyler graduated and left college, he found that not only did his relationship with Ward continue for years to come, but the impact of how Ward treated him stuck with him as well. “I had the idea that maybe I should be the same way: able to be happy when others succeed and find their way in life, and also to offer friendship to those I come across without the expectation of something in return,” Tyler recalls.

The Gift of Relationship

Several years later, Tyler was traveling to Philadelphia on a trip with his father when he unexpectedly met another Navigator named James*. Not only did James take Tyler and his father out to coffee, but he gave them a tour of some of Philadelphia’s highlights.

When Tyler received a job offer in the Philadelphia area four years later, he reconnected with James. James helped Tyler find an apartment and offered to continue to meet for coffee at the same pastry shop where they had met previously with his father. “Just as Ward had offered me friendship without strings attached, James was doing the same,” Tyler remembers.

Tyler and James were still meeting up regularly at the same pastry shop in March of 2007 when James unexpectedly passed away in a biking accident, only a few days after grabbing coffee with Tyler. Tyler remembers the memorial service being packed with hundreds of people, all of whom James had shaped, invested in, or helped to find peace and faith with Jesus.

James’ sudden death hit Tyler hard. “For me, I had given this man nothing … I was too needy at the time to give anything back,” Tyler recalls.

The Secret Chain of Generational Discipleship

After the memorial, Tyler talked with Ward about James’ passing. Ward shared that he actually knew James well — in fact, James had mentored Ward before he even met Tyler at Miami University, greatly helping him gain outreach and ministry skills. Tyler was shocked — he never knew that the two men who loved him so well were connected until that moment, forming a chain of generational discipleship.

Now, every time Tyler passes the pastry shop where he used to meet James, he remembers and reflects on the lessons that James passed on to Ward, and in turn, Ward passed on to him. He had learned from Ward and James that there is no greater purpose than to be there for those who are in need and follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

“Both James and Ward lived and obeyed the biblical command to love one’s neighbor — irrespective of whether it profits us somehow or not,” Tyler says. “I cannot think of a higher calling, and I am grateful to have known these two inspiring men.”

*Name changed for privacy.

Tyler submitted his story to The Navigators to share how Ward and James impacted his life. At The Navigators, we are so encouraged by hearing personal stories of how the Lord has used this ministry to impact others’ lives. If you have a story about how your experience with The Navigators impacted you, please share here – My Navigators Story.

Discipleship Tip:

Tyler was greatly impacted by how Ward and James offered selfless friendship, expecting nothing in return during times when he was in need. Look around at the people in your life. Who can you be stretching out a hand to? How can you be offering the gift of intentional friendship to someone else?