Jerry White (Navigators)
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Garden City, Iowa
United States of America
United States Air Force1993–1997
Jerry E. White | |
|---|---|
 White in retirement at an event in Manila, Philippines in 2005. | |
| Born | June 11, 1937 Garden City, Iowa |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1959–1992 1993–1997 |
| Rank |  Major General[1] |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medal[1] |
Jerry E. White (born June 11, 1937) is a retired United States Air Force major general,[1] author and former leader of the Christian parachurch organization, the Navigators.[2]
White entered the Air Force in 1959 as a graduate of the University of Washington Reserve Officer Training Corps program.[1] From 1959 to 1964 he was moved between several air force bases while studying, including a stint in the Directorate of range operations, Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick Air Force Base. In 1964 he was then appointed as an instructor, in the Astronautics Department, of the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. After study at Purdue University, White became an associate professor of astronautics, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968, and was part of the scientific staff until the end of his active duty in 1973.[1] The same year he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, was mobilised and served in various capacities from then until his retirement at the rank of Major-General in 1997.[1] Notably he was part of the electronic security command at Cheyenne Mountain Military Complex from 1980 to 1987.[1]
Leadership of the Navigators
White was formerly the International President of The Navigators, a worldwide Christian parachurch organization whose main purpose is the discipling (training) of Christians, with a particular emphasis on personal evangelism.[3] White took over leadership of the Navigator organization from Lorne Sanny in 1986.[2] Sanny had served as president of The Navigators since the death of the ministry's founder, Dawson Trotman, in 1956.[2] On January 1, 2005, White was succeeded by Michael W. Treneer. Lauren Libby, vice-president of the Navigators, commented to the Christian Examiner that:
“Jerry White’s contributions to the worldwide ministry of The Navigators are deeply significant,” Libby said. “When I consider the global changes that have occurred over the past 18 years, we are blessed to have Jerry’s prayerful and thoughtful leadership. We are adapting to an ever-changing world without compromising our values or our beliefs. Jerry’s integrity and commitment to God—and his commitment to the vision of The Navigators—certainly propelled this.”[2]
Author
White has been a prolific author, co-authoring a textbook on astrodynamics as well as several Christian books about discipleship, self-help, and masculinity.
