Prince Rupert Lighthouse Ministries Report

by Elfrieda Friesen

It was in October of 2007 that our ship visits began. These visits have been exciting and uplifting. The excitement results from witnessing the salvation of souls caused by responses to our sharing the love of Jesus Christ. We have been uplifted because the Captains and crew members of the ships have greeted us so warmly and have seemed genuinely happy to see us. Seafarers have been eager to talk and share with us about their sea lives and accept the Bibles and literature we give to them. Some ships even have Bible studies aboard; others may have only a few or less Christians among the crew.

In 2008 and 2009 we were blessed to receive Christmas gifts for seafarers from several Christian Reformed Churches in the North Coast Region. The crew members who celebrate Christmas are touched by the fact that they were remembered at a festive time when they were far from loved ones. One ship we visited even had a decorated Christmas tree in the mess room.

Many times seafarers have asked us if we have a centre in Prince Rupert. Although we do not have a facility at present, it has been and continues to be our prayer that we will soon have a building for them to come and visit for brief periods of respite. October, 2012 is the date we are targeting to open a centre in our city. We have been accumulating funds for this but are still in great need of resources in order to build and furnish a new building. At present we are trusting the Lord to meet all of our needs with respect to establishing a seafarers’ centre.

Our Board and volunteers are truly enthusiastic about the future of this ministry and are believing that God will provide for all of our needs. They are fond of saying, “This is not our ministry; it is God’s.”