In conjunction with Falmouth & Penryn Churches Together, Marten Holmes from OAC Ministries and colleagues from GNE (Good News for Everyone, formerly The Gideons) co-ordinated a Tall Ships outreach to visitors and mariners in Falmouth.
Over the course of three days, 5,000 Tall Ships tracts were distributed to members of the public visiting the largest ships moored in Falmouth Docks, and 1,400 New Testaments distributed to the crews of all the ships participating in the race.
Sadly, the Parade of Sail scheduled for the last day of the event had to be cancelled due to Storm Betty – torrential rain and gale force winds made conditions too hazardous. Despite this disappointment, and despite some over-long queues on the first day there were many happy faces around the town and the opportunity to visit the historic ships attracted big crowds.
Local churches supported the outreach team with places to meet, prepare and pray before going down to the docks, and also provided food.
Alison Jones from Good New For Everyone writes: We greatly appreciated the support of Chief Liaison Officer Annie Price, who provided liaison passes and also took us along to the 5 larger ships and asked, on our behalf, if we could present the crew with Testaments. She also gave us access to the Marina, so we could offer them to the smaller ships.
All the ships took some, with the largest being the Mexican ship who took 180 Testaments!
We were able to present Testaments to Annie and her volunteer team of 50, and to the Dock Gate Security, the Sea Cadets and a number of the stall holders.
Overall, there was a positive response to receiving the tracts and New Testaments and we thank God for this and pray that each will bring forth fruit.
Elswehere in town, Falmouth & Penryn Churches Together provided cream teas at Fairwinds Community Hub on Wednesday, and a Fairtrade stall on Falmouth Moor on Wed & Thur.
photo credits: Alison Jones, Marten Holmes
