The Doulos has been a remarkable ship in the Ministry

Dear Friends,

Ann and I have accepted an invitation to lead OM's work in East Asia Pacific beginning in 2010. Pray that we will know much grace as we take steps to support the development of the work. We will send you more information about the role in the coming weeks.

The Area includes ministry in the following regions:

North East Asia

South Korea, Japan, North Korea, Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, Macao

South East Asia

Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Brunei, Vietnam

Oceania

Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands

PRAY as we prepare for this role. (The appointment begins at the beginning of January)

- Heart preparation as we listen for our Father's agenda

- Strength to support the development of leadership teams in each region and in the areas of ministry

- Faith and courage to walk in step with the Word and Spirit.

- Wisdom to discern and catch God's vision for this distinctive work in Asia.

OM East Asia Pacific has been sending workers into the harvest field by the thousands since the early 70's. Presently between 600 - 700 adults, not including 150 children, fro this part of the world are serving with OM. In recent years exciting opportunities and ministries are developing across the region. Pray that God will lead many to take steps of faith and join in making a difference for the Kingdom in East Asia Pacific.

Important News for Prayer

Yesterday we received news that the Doulos will not be able to sail beyond the end of December 2009. I enclose a communication from our ships office. We served on Doulos for almost 7 years. We have seen God work through ordinary people. Pray that we will see His miraculous intervention as we search for a ship to replace the Doulos. Pray for the on board community and leaders in OM ships as they work through a difficult time of transition.

Blessings,

Mike & Ann Hey

World’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship to stop sailing

Mosbach, GERMANY – 20 November, 2009

The ministry of OM’s ship Doulos will come to an end on 31st December 2009.

Doulos is the world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship, now 95 years old, with the hull built in 1914, just two years after Titanic. In spite of the all year round maintenance that has taken place, the amount of steel replacement and other repairs needed for her to continue sailing are overwhelming. The ship is presently in Singapore and has been undergoing the annual period of dry dock and surveys.

Early indications are that the work would cost over €10 million and take five months to complete. The OM Ships executive leadership team and board believes that is not appropriate to invest resources of this scale into the ship, since Doulos would have a limited ministry future.

Chief Executive Officer of OM Ships International, Peter Nicoll, said, “The outcome of this is that Doulos will not be able to continue in ministry. This is not what any of us wanted, and has serious consequences for everyone on board, those about to join and for ports we planned to visit.”

“We are committed to operating safe ships and complying with the requirements of our classification society, RINA, as well as the International Safety Management requirements for ships,” affirms Peter Nicoll. “We have been praying that God would use this five-year ‘special survey’ to give us a clear picture of the way forward for Doulos and that He has done.”

The well-being of the 280 crew and staff onboard is of paramount importance. Each person will receive the guidance and support they need to decide what their next steps should be. Some are close to the end of their period of service, while others joined as recently as September.

Keeping the ship compliant with the highest marine standards has been a real challenge over the years. It is a remarkable testimony to the professionalism and dedication of the non-profit organisation’s technical personnel that the ship has continued to meet marine requirements until now.

CEO Peter Nicoll stated, “We recognise God’s faithfulness through these 32 years of wonderful service of the ‘servant’—Doulos — as an outstanding OM ministry, through more than 600 port visits in over 100 countries. Many lives have been transformed, both visitors and those who have served on board.

We are also deeply grateful to our partners around the world who have supported the ship in ministry through the years. Please continue to pray with us as we work on present challenges and seek the Lord for the future.

With Logos Hope now active and exciting ministry taking place, we are investigating possible options to charter another ship in the interim and have already begun working on the Doulos replacement project. Contributions should be given through your local OM office and designated ‘Doulos Project’.

Ken Miller
Director of Communications
OM Ships International