Through the generosity of a partner of OM's Ship Ministry, a 1 to 2 matching grant of up to $3 million has been made available to keep Logos Hope sailing into the future.

Having recently celebrated three years of active service, OM's flagship Logos Hope requires significant technical work to ensure the vessel can continue to bring knowledge, help and hope to the one million people that the ship ministry reaches on average every year.

OM Ships International began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, Operation Mobilisation (OM) and is well-known for providing educational and Christian literature in ports around the world.

To enable completion of this critical work, over $8 million in funding is needed for this year's planned dry-dock work and the Power Up Logos Hope project, which will replace two generators and the electrical switchboard on the ship in 2013, and install a heat recovery system. With more efficient machinery, and subsequent reductions in fuel costs, the project is expected to pay for itself within 5 to 10 years.

As a non-profit that relies largely on the gifts of many individuals and groups around the world, OM Ships International has a clear history of God's faithful provision through the incredible generosity of many over the past 41 years of ministry.

"Millions of lives have been impacted tangibly as God has faithfully provided through His people and we thank God for the encouragement of this matching gift," said OM Ships chief executive Peter Nicoll. "The urgency of our current situation forces us on our knees to continue to trust in His faithful provision."

Since her launch from Denmark in 2009, Logos Hope has sailed over 40,000 nautical miles from Europe to the Caribbean, West Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.

Logos Hope is currently visiting the Philippines. Having completed a fruitful visit in Cebu with many lives impacted by God's love, the vessel's onboard floating book fair is currently open to the public in Manila with plans to sail to Subic Bay where the dry-dock will take place beginning in mid-April.

With significant expenses required for the dry-dock already adding up quickly, the need for funding is critical. This matching gift, which will provide an additional $1 for every $2 donated, is very timely and is effective immediately for all gifts designated to the dry-dock work or Power Up Logos Hope project. TIt is hoped that the $6 million can be raised to make the full $9 million available before the end of 2012.

If you wish to donate online, visit www.omships.org/donate