Our Mission:
To reach the boating community for Christ, empower believers to grow deeper in their faith and equip them to live purpose-driven lives, and to reach the lost with the message of hope and salvation, both on the water and beyond.
Our family just wrapped up a transformative four weeks in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where we had the privilege of partnering with the amazing team at Maritime Ministries. Our time was filled with meaningful fellowship, hard work, and countless moments of growth. We were able to serve alongside some dear friends and support the incredible boat projects they’re working on, all while experiencing the joys and challenges of life on the water.
The heart of our time in Elizabeth City was spent with our dear friends, Aaron and Laura. They’ve been tirelessly working on a 47-foot sailboat, Selah, with the vision of using her for ministry on the water. Our family dove in to assist with various tasks, from securing divider walls to building bunk beds, cleaning water tanks, wiring lights, and installing solar components. It was rewarding to be part of the team that’s helping to bring Selah closer to being ready for her mission of service.
One of the highlights of our time was taking Selah out for a sail. It was a beautiful day on the water, full of laughter, shared stories, and, of course, great fellowship. It was a reminder of why we’re doing this work—not just for the physical labor but for the relationships we’re building and the ways we’re able to serve one another.
While we weren’t able to spend as much time as we would’ve liked on the their boat project, we still had the joy of contributing to their incredible journey. Patrick and Rachel have been working on a 40-foot catamaran that they’ve been building from scratch. We had the opportunity to help with a small part of their project by assisting with the last layer of fiberglass on the boom. A small contribution, but it meant the world to our family to be a tiny part of their boat story.
Our time with both of these families was incredibly rich in fellowship. We shared meals together, spent intentional time in prayer, and supported each other in our shared mission to serve on the water.
Our three girls, in particular, formed deep friendships with the everyone’s kids. It’s such a blessing to see them connect with others who share the same missionary lifestyle, offering them friends who feel more like family.
In addition to helping our friends with their boat projects, we had the chance to assist with Paloma, a beautiful 32-foot wooden vessel that was getting ready for a wooden boat show. Our family spent a few hours shining and polishing the boat, preparing her for her moment in the spotlight.
One of the most exciting moments for Tim was when he had the opportunity to sail Paloma with two members of the Maritime Ministries team to take her to the boat show and bring her back. It was an unforgettable experience that combined skill-building with hours of fellowship on the open water. The time spent sailing and connecting with the team was truly a highlight of our time in Elizabeth City.
Beyond the physical work and boat projects, the real treasure of our time in Elizabeth City was the fellowship. We were welcomed into the Maritime Ministries community with open arms, sharing many meals, engaging in deep conversations, and praying together. Our family feels incredibly blessed by the relationships we’ve built here and the ways in which we’ve seen God at work through this ministry.
Our time in Elizabeth City wasn’t just about helping with boat projects—it was about coming alongside others, encouraging one another, and sharing in the ups and downs of the missionary journey. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve and grow alongside the entire Maritime Ministries team.
As we look back on these four weeks, we’re filled with gratitude for the time spent, the lessons learned, and the friendships forged. Serving with Maritime Ministries has been an enriching experience, one that we won’t soon forget. We leave Elizabeth City with full hearts, strengthened bonds, and a renewed sense of purpose in our mission.