Celebrating God’s story in Africa

For 15 months, Logos Hope has witnessed God’s story told in and through Africa by Africans. The ship has visited ten African countries and welcomed nearly one million visitors on board. 

Trizenia (South Africa), Associate Area Leader of OM in Africa, lived on board with the crew throughout the ship’s visit. She shared, “We are excited about what God is doing in and from the continent. It is such a privilege for us to be here.... We get to celebrate the African story!”

There are countless memories and testimonies from this past season to be celebrated.

Boldness for God

As crewmembers went on shore to visit churches and communities, local people from each country came on board to join in the ship’s ministry as ‘port volunteers.’ In Africa, Logos Hope welcomed over 600 local port volunteers. Those who applied came on board every day, serving alongside crew in different departments, sharing meals with the ship’s company and experiencing life on Logos Hope. Every volunteer is also provided with training sessions.   

In the Seychelles, one port volunteer shared, “[This] training should be in every place you visit…The boldness to work for God is inside of me. I just need to step out there and share the Good News to others.”

In and beyond the local Church 

One of the primary ways that Logos Hope took part in celebrating the African story was by walking alongside church leaders around the continent. On one inspiring occasion, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Logos Hope crew met Pastor Kenny, who was building a church from the ground up.

Pastor Kenny was astonished to meet people of so many nationalities and shared that the time the crew invested alongside him in the project was “a miracle” and an answer to prayer.

During onboard events, such as the ‘Faith and Work Workshop’ and the pastors’ conference, it was evident that Pastor Kenny was one of many to be immersed in the story God is writing in Africa.

One pastor from Angola was searching for answers to his questions of purpose, recently having had to give up his job at his church to move into another workplace. After the event, he shared, "When I heard [crewmember] Paolenta (Cameroon) describe the importance of [living out faith], not only inside the church but also outside, and, that wherever we are, we are serving the Lord, I was convinced that I was receiving God’s answer." 

The power of testimony

In the span of the 15 months spent in Africa, hundreds of new crewmembers also joined the ship, excited to serve and immerse themselves in new cultures. 

Wumi (Tanzania), was initially connected to the ship through her service as a port volunteer in her hometown. She had an encounter with two young girls in the bookfair and, through sharing her story, was able to help them find answers to difficulties they were facing in life. Wumi shared, “I never imagined that just my story could really affect someone else's life.”  

Because of this experience, Wumi knew God had more in store for her. She committed, alongside many others, to joining the ship long-term in January 2024 in Richards Bay, South Africa, ready and willing to continue sharing her story in Africa.

Lasting Impact

Logos Hope crew were also able to reunite with many familiar faces around the continent they had come to know during previous visits.  

In Tema, Ghana, a team visited Noah, who had previously spent a year on the ship. Noah joined via the African Scholarship Programme, overseen by OM in Africa. He was one of 40+ African crewmembers who came on board in Sierra Leone in 2021 to help support the ship community. 

When reflecting on his time spent on Logos Hope, Noah shared, “I’ve learned a lot [from] the ship… about ministry and the work of God.”

God used Logos Hope to create a lasting impact in Noah’s life and was inspired to continue with His plans. Currently, Noah is building a ‘prayer mountain’ in his community, where people can come to pray, hold conferences and have worship sessions. 

God’s story beyond Africa

While Logos Hope was in Africa, Doulos Hope was in East Asia, witnessing God’s story unfold through the impact of her African crew on board. 

In September last year, 14 Zambians joined Doulos Hope in Malaysia, making up the largest population represented from a single country on board the ship. 

Soon after coming on board, the group of Zambians began gathering six evenings a week to pray together, initiating a strong emphasis on prayer within the ship community. They also lead worship every few weeks, sharing their own culture with the crew as they do so. 

Nathan Schmutz (Switzerland), then director of Doulos Hope shared, “When they lead worship, it’s a different atmosphere; it’s a different way of worshipping God as a community.”

In and through all of Africa

It has been a privilege to partake in a deeper way in God’s story in Africa over this past year, as port volunteers, local communities, crew and the vibrant Church in Africa combined.

Reflecting on this past year, Ship Ministry CEO Seelan Govender said, “It has been humbling to join God in His work in Africa. I am excited and look forward to seeing how God's Story continues to flourish in churches and through the wider community globally. ”  

Thank you for your support!

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