By IET Communications

Paul Stanley, a former international vice president of The Navigators, went home to his Lord on November 26, 2020 at age 78.

“Paul once said that an excellent measure of spiritual maturity is thankfulness,” said Mutua Mahiaini, international president of The Navigators, who often spent time with Paul in Africa. “The Lord has called him home on Thanksgiving. This fits how Paul has lived and how we will remember him—with gratitude.”

Known by all as a courageous man and servant leader, Paul served on the International Executive Team starting in 1990. He served with (then) International President Jerry White, and International Vice Presidents Jim Petersen and Donald McGilchrist.

“Paul was a pioneer with great vision,” said Jerry White. “He was a natural leader who had tremendous influence as a personal mentor to many new leaders, and as a team player. He used his gifts generously and humbly.”

Paul served on the IET as the Navigator work expanded widely around the world. He played a vital role in helping the IET unify our global leaders while also giving them more freedom to lead in their respective contexts, Jerry added. This included Paul’s work to bring international leaders together in Cyprus for a landmark gathering that launched the Navigator Calling, Values and Vision statements, collectively called the Core.

Jim Petersen said that one of Paul’s major contributions to the Navigator work was to instill an ethos of Christlike servant leadership.

“He brought to our ministry a very deliberate effort to develop leaders who serve biblically, who recognize Jesus’ definition of leadership, which is to be a servant,” said Jim. “That had a broad effect on our work. It helped us to avoid thinking about positions and to think about service.”

Mutua added that Paul helped expand the Navigator influence within the broader body of Christ, including through his work with Greater Europe Mission and the Lausanne Movement.

Later in his career, Paul started the Leader Development Network with the goal of helping leaders serve and live like Jesus. His work enabled many Christian organizations around the world to develop a biblical leadership model. He co-authored the 1992 book titled Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed in Life.

Prior to his work with the IET, Paul and his wife, Phyllis, played a pioneering role for The Navigators in Eastern Europe, which in the early 1980s was behind the Iron Curtain. Jim Petersen said that most of Paul’s work at that time was clandestine and “risky business.” This included transporting Bibles across closed borders.

After his work in Eastern Europe, Paul and Phyllis led the Navigator work in Europe while living in Bonn, Germany from 1977 to 1984.

Paul began his lifetime passion of discipling friends and colleagues during his freshman year of college at the United States Military Academy (West Point). An All-American athlete, he played football and lacrosse until he graduated in 1963. Paul went on to become an Army major and wartime combat leader. He was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart for his valor, sacrifice and leadership. At the end of his military service, Paul had the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. and a teaching position at West Point, but he chose to join The Navigators instead.

Paul’s servant heart extended to his family. He and his wife, Phyllis, were married for 57 years, grounding their marriage on Psalm 34:3, which says, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Paul is survived by Phyllis and their four children—Deb, Paul, Scott and Kimberly, along with spouses. He and Phyllis have 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Paul is also survived by his brother, Gordon Stanley, and sister, Linda O’Connor, along with other members of his extended family.

The family will hold a memorial service on December 1 at 2 p.m. mountain time (Colorado Springs), which can be viewed by livestream at the following church website: www.theroad.org. Condolences can be sent to Phyllis and family at: 1466 Promontory Bluff View, Colorado Springs, CO 80921.