Marine Reach Ministries

Marine Reach Ministries is a branch of Youth With A Mission based at Highfield Oval, Harpenden.

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest field". Luke 10:2

There are still 3473 unreached people groups in the world today. Therefore, after nearly 2000 years and much sacrifice, the Great Commission has still not been completed.
Although world wide church attendance is growing, in Europe it is in serious decline. One could even argue that southern Europe is now in a post Christian era. Yet, simultaneously, cultural commentators are saying that the European population is seeking spiritual answers like never before.

In the past we have seen some major missionary movements or 'waves' from the UK, like William carey in India, David Livingstone in Africa and those that followed them.
Now at the beginning of the 21st century many leaders in the church internationally are calling for the 'next wave' of missionary endeavour to complete the task that our Lord Jesus set us 2000 years ago.
They look to a new generation that will spread the same gospel, but in new contemporary ways, especially to a generation that often turns its back on the established church.
The question is - who will prepare this new generation that so often needs deep discipleship themselves as they seek to share the gospel with those around them. It is clearly a task for the whole body of Christ, not just a few mission agencies.

It was with this in mind that in 2007, Marine Reach Ministries launched the sail training vessel s/y Next Wave, a ministry dedicated to releasing a new generation of well-discipled young people to reach out to a hurting world.
After criss-crossing the Mediterranean several times and witnessing first hand the hunger to know God personally, we recognise how much the church in the UK can help in this area.
We have now established the ministry and support network and we are expanding our leadership development programme to prepare workers for the harvest. The vessel and crew help young people with their Christian journey as they visit the vessel locally for a day. Also, teams join for a couple of weeks or individuals join a 6 month Discipleship Training School.
After this, some join the on board 1 or 2 year internship programme with the aim of preparing to lead a new ministry team in one of the ports visited, or serve better in their home church.

Through the s/y Next Wave and other training programmes run by Marine Reach Ministries and YWAM, the tools are available to train and release the 'next wave'.
The task of discipling and releasing these young people, however, is not small and supporting financially such an endeavour is a challenge.
We need the regular prayers and support of the body of Christ that we try to serve.
For more information about the Next Wave, Marine Reach Ministries and the programmes they run, please visit the website
www.marinereachministries.com

Brian Sloan

This article first appeared in High Street News Oct/Nov 09