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“I never saw myself as a leader, but God had other plans.”
Clara* didn’t set out to lead but today, she’s equipping others to do just that. With a Dutch-Canadian father, German mother and a childhood spent abroad, Clara’s early life was shaped by a blend of cultures. “My passport was German, my accent Canadian, but my upbringing abroad, elsewhere,” she shares.
Yet it wasn’t her multicultural background alone that shaped her into the leader she is today. Life on board Doulos Hope with a crew from over 30 nations played a key role.
God’s leading
Clara first heard about OM’s Ships Ministry through her mother, a former Logos II crewmember. After university in the UK, Clara began praying about her future.
At a conference, a woman she’d never met prayed over her and said, “Get on the boat.” Clara was stunned. “She didn’t know anything about me, but I felt complete peace. I knew Doulos Hope was where God wanted me.”
Learning to lead
On board, Clara encountered leadership in a new light. “In such a multicultural crew, I realised leadership meant listening, learning and pointing others back to God,” she said.
“I did a basic leadership training course, which was really impactful because it focused on the biblical foundation of leadership. What truly sets you apart isn’t just your ability to lead, it’s your faith and how you live that out in your leadership.”
Clara transitioned into leadership within the bookfair team. Beginning as a bookfair crewmember, she now manages others and continues to develop her skills.
A heart for the least reached
Clara’s leadership journey extended beyond her team responsibilities; it has always been deeply personal. During a visit to Taiwan, Clara met a young woman struggling with her identity. Clara shared her story and gave her a book. Months later, the woman returned with a letter. “Thank you for the book. I’ve decided to live for Jesus.”
For Clara, it was a powerful reminder that leadership includes sharing hope and helping others discover their identity in Jesus. Now, she hopes to return to the UK to mobilise churches. “We are so privileged to have the Bible freely available. Who are we to keep that hope to ourselves?”
Help more leaders grow
OM’s Ships Ministry provides hands-on training where young people can grow in faith, develop leadership skills and serve across cultures.
Want to be further equipped too as part of that next generation of leaders? Check out how you can get on board today.
*Name changed.
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Ships :: An insight into how a family has found God faithful when they left their jobs and home to serve on board Logos Hope.
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At Sea :: One crewmember has grown in her love and care for others, despite the disappointment of the last year.
OM Ships :: Read one crewmember's journey to serve God, and how He has prepared her for future ministry through the pandemic.
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OM Ships :: Jareht hated his father, who’d walked out on five sons when Jareht was just four years old. By the age of 16, Jareht was close to ending his life. But God showed him what a true Father He is. Now, Jareht is serving on board OM’s ship, sharing God’s transforming love with others.
OM Ships :: A look at how one former crewmember is using what he learnt on board in a new initiative in his home country.
Portonovi, Montenegro :: A summary of different programmes undertaken by Logos Hope crewmembers in Montenegro.
Albania :: Ships alumni Klodi and Nadine are using football to encourage young people in Albania
Ships :: Jake (South Korea) reflects on his journey with OM's Ship Ministry from learning English in the U.S.A. to leading worship across Latin America and Asia.
Ships :: Vanessa (Zambia) shares how stepping out of her comfort zone to serve on board Doulos Hope transformed her faith, leadership skills and brought her a sense of community.
Ships :: From the engine rooms of commercial ships to serving the nations through OM’s vessels, Vladimir’s (Russia) journey shows how God redirects skills for a greater purpose.
Cambodia :: Churches in Cambodia receive water bucket filters to support ministry and care for children.
