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Harbour Ministry
Reaching Chinese Seamen for Christ
Chinese Seamen
1998-2005
Statistics:
- 488 visitations
- Gospel shared with 4186 seamen
- 1784 new decisions
- 52 baptized at ECBC
Opportunities await us at our very doorstep. The ministry to the Chinese Seamen recognizes the deep need and spiritual vacuum of the Chinese seafarers. 
Why Chinese seamen? In the past, most seamen came mainly from the European nations. Today, more than half of the seamen come from the Philippines, with China following close behind. Statistics show that in the next few years, the number of seamen from China (with a population of over 1 billion) will surpass those from the Philippines. We, at ECBC, have a burden and passion for the Chinese people. 
The majority of the Chinese seamen are hurting people who will remain without hope, unless we show the love of God to them through selfless care and sacrifice. The call for us to reach them resounds louder today than at any other time. They need to know God's love and God is calling us at ECBC to respond.
In 1997, the leadership at ECBC decided to respond to this global challenge and opportunity to reach out to the Chinese seafarers. Our most rewarding effort is the introduction of our Chinese Bible Correspondence Course, Life Quest, to the seamen. So far, more than 2,000 copies of our Bible study guides have been distributed to various seaports as far as the Philippines, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Alaska, Australia, Cape Town and Ukraine. 
ECBC also provides CD's and DVD's of Christian messages and songs to these sailors, such that in their moments of loneliness, they can hear words of hope, comfort and encouragement.
Pray for those involved in the Harbour Ministry. Pray that God will speak into the lives of the seafarers through our Chinese Bible Correspondence material. Pray that ECBC will be ready for any challenges that God puts before us.
For more information about the Harbour Ministry, contact Dewey Young. The Harbour Ministry meets every Thursday, at 6.30 pm. Please remember this ministry in your prayer.
I am a 25 year old seaman from China. When I found that I have AIDS, I felt hopeless. I wanted to commit suicide. I wanted to kill, and I wanted to spread the disease to my 20 coworkers on the ship. As these wicked thought surfaced, my head throbbed and I closed my eyes. When I reopened my eyes, there I saw Jesus by my bed looking at me, and I shivered. What in the world was I thinking? How could I have such thoughts? I cannot sin further. These seamen have families, children and parents, how could I multiply my suffering to 20 other families!
I was still depressed. I started to pack up my things and a tract fell before me. This was a tract distributed by the gospel team of the Evangelical Chinese Bible Church in Vancouver. It spoke about daily prayer so I started to pray and my heart quieted down. I began to read the bible and other Christian literature. My life began to change. My health condition deteriorated but my spirits were never better. I began to love everything around me. I felt a real sense of the Lord's presence. I had a new life. If I can live longer, I will proclaim His grace. If He takes me away, then may He take me to heaven!
A Chinese seaman sent the above testimony to "Christian Life Quarterly" about his conversion through a tract he received from ECBC. In his testimony, he thanked ECBC and other Christians who came into his life during his darkest and most desperate time. Gord Abraham, the Canadian Director of Operation Mobilization, touched by this story said, "I used the story of the sailor from Mainland China last Sunday during the Easter service. What a powerful story it was, speaking clearly of how the living Christ came to a desperate man. I am so thankful for ECBC taking on this ministry in a time like this."