Missio Nexus 2025 Lifetime of Service Award

The Missio Nexus Lifetime of Service Award is presented annually at the association’s Mission Leaders Conference in September to honor individuals whose lives have been dedicated to advancing the Great Commission through faithful, long-term mission service. The award celebrates “finishing well” in ministry to the nations, recognizing both field missionaries, missiologists, and ministry builders for their lifelong commitment to the gospel.

2025 Recipient

For 2025, the Lifetime of Service Award was given to Dr. Jerry White, international president emeritus of The Navigators. Dr. White is recognized for over 60 years of faithful gospel service, spanning formal leadership roles, personal ministry, and generational disciplemaking. His career includes:

• Launching Navigator ministries at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Purdue University in the 1960s–70s.
• Serving as regional director before becoming executive director of The U.S. Navigators in 1983.
• Appointed third international president of The Navigators in 1986, serving until 2004.
• Concurrent U.S. Air Force service, retiring as a major general in 1992.
• Post-retirement leadership roles, including chairing The U.S. Navigators board (2004–2011) and serving on boards of Greater Europe Mission, Christian Leadership Alliance, Lausanne Movement, and New Horizons Foundation.
• Authoring or co-authoring 15 books on discipleship, masculinity, work, and relationships.
• Continuing as a consultant and speaker at military and government events.

With over six decades of gospel-centered leadership, Jerry’s legacy was celebrated by hundreds. Brad Jonswold accepted the award on his behalf.

Learn more here: https://missionexus.org/uncategorized/jerry-white-lifetime-of-service/

Purpose and Criteria

The Lifetime of Service Award is not limited to Missio Nexus members and is open to anyone whose life reflects evangelical mission commitments. Recipients are chosen for their lifelong dedication, impact, and influence in global mission work.

Ceremony

The award is presented during the annual Mission Leaders Conference, where Missio Nexus celebrates the values of excellence, innovation, partnership, and finishing well.

If you wish to nominate someone for future consideration, Missio Nexus accepts nominations through April 30 each year, with the award announced and presented in September.