Encounter
A new vessel for the fleet!
The Schooner Encounter was built for the kingdom and donated by the builder and has been operated by Theo and Sandra under Torchbearers, in Greece since the year 2000. In 2022 we purchased her and are thrilled that God has entrusted us to continue using her – for the purpose for which she was built, making disciples and taking the good news of Jesus, to the Greek islands and ports!
Like Morning Star, she sleeps 16 people (we have a crew of four so there are 12 bunks available). If you would like to bring a team to sail with us, we would love to hear from you. Simply email [email protected]
We will be sailing between May and September 2024.
So what’s next?
As of October 23, Encounter is swinging on her mooring in Porto Astro, whilst we prepare for the next stage of the refit. Between March and July 23 she was out of the water on the island of Lesvos, where we completed Stage 1 of the refit, restoring the hull and everything underwater to good condition. Stage 2, we move onto the rigging and safety equipment, and finally, the more cosmetic/interior aspects come last.
If God is stirring something in your heart as you read this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we would love to hear from you and see how we can work together for His kingdom purposes.
Follow the refit project and see how you can help on Encounter – The Refit page.
Vessel Stats
Year: 1998
L.O.A.: 90ft (27.4m)
Beam: 19ft (5.81m)
Draught: 10ft (3.2m)
Engine: Cummins 115hp
Hull Material: Wood with GRP
Rig: Gaff Schooner
History
Tony, the owner of a boat building company based in Harare Zimbabwe writes,
… “When we began construction on her, we hardly had enough money to keep paying our labour, let alone for materials, but God was faithful, and work came in so that we could complete the task. It took five years to finish her. We were helped greatly by many friends from our farm church, and every Saturday they would come to the work shop and sandpaper, nail, drill, glue, paint and have a wonderful time. She was in fact a family project with many miracles along the way.”
She was launched in Beira on the 24th June 1998, having been trucked across the African continent on rough potholed roads barely getting under some bridges by inches, then sailed up to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
It was shortly after this says Tony when Patricia Edmiston, – founder of “Release Foundation,” entered the scene with God’s perfect timing. “Genevieve” original name of the ship, – named after Tony’s eldest daughter was then sailed up to Greece with a crew of 6 which included Tony’s youngest daughter.
Tony continues,
… “During her construction, her move, and her various transfers, the people involved were always touched, always wonderful and always went the extra mile to see her on her way to do the job intended for her. She became part of Zimbabwe’s family, and we even now have many enquiries after her on a regular basis. She truly was a God-send, and she will always hold a very special place in the hearts of all of these people, but most of all in the hearts of my family.
We pray that her work will continue in prosperity, changing the lives of many.”
It was one year after her launching that Tony Turner handed the baton to Release Foundation by donating the ship so that she may sail on into her destiny fulfilling the purposes for which God intended.
In the summer of 1999 Theo Goutzios field representative in Greece for Torchbearers Austria (Tauernhof), was asked by Release Foundation to come on board as project manager / skipper fulfilling the general vision to preach the gospel, sail training and discipling young people along the way. Theo accepted and a crew was recruited with Mark Jasper as skipper to sail her up to Greece.
A window of opportunity weather wise to sail her up the Red Sea notorious for strong northerly winds and currents was open to us that September. After a moving service on the deck of the “Genevieve” whilst afloat in Dar es Salaam, where Tony Turner handed the boat over to the crew, she set sail for what turned out to be a long six week voyage enduring all sorts of hardship with heavy seas, just narrowly escaping pirates that only the day before plundered another yacht and murdered a crewman, lost a lifeboat and damaging the bowsprit causing rigging to come adrift making it no longer possible to sail, she pushed on under motor through the Suez canal and into the Mediterranean to finally arrive at the end of October 1999 in Volos harbour Greece.
We’re ever so grateful to Tony, his family and friends that gave themselves so willingly and generously to build this boat and to Patricia Edmiston and Release Foundation that made it possible to import her into Greece to make it possible to run the programs we offer giving many the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and be transformed by the message of hope that He gives. Also grateful to the skippers; Cameron Springthorpe (Scotland), Chris Wren (England), Michael Kottsieper (Germany) and the many crew that have over the last years given voluntary service to make it possible to continue in the service of God and the building of His Kingdom.
In March 2010 Release Foundation donated the “Genevieve” now named the “Encounter” to Torchbearers Austria – Tauernhof.
Fast Forward twelve years to 2022 and now we, at Broad Reach, are proud to be picking up the baton from Theo and Sandra and continuing to use Genevieve – Genevieve Challenge – Encounter for the purpose for which she was constructed!