The Spanish Mediterranean city of Malaga will welcome the Logos Hope from 20 March to 5 April 2026, under the motto ‘Let His Kingdom Come’, in what will be the ship’s first stop on its new tour of European ports.

This large ship is a project of OM (Operation Mobilisation), an international missionary organisation with more than 60 years of experience, dedicated to motivating and equipping Christians to share God’s love throughout the world.

For the ship’s crew, the stopover in Malaga is a chance to collaborate with local churches and organisations, serve the city and open up spaces for encounter through literature, culture and conversation.

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“Our visit to Spain seeks precisely that: to work alongside Spanish churches, serve the community and share literature”, explained Decio de Carvalho, executive director on board the Logos Hope, responsible for the ministry area, community life and the training of those who serve on the ship, to Spanish news website Protestante Digital.

From a missionary impulse to a platform for service

De Carvalho traces the origin of the bookshop ship ministry to a very specific desire: to bring people and resources to distant places with the aim of sharing the gospel.

In the beginning, in the 1970s, “it was a modest organisation made up mainly of young people with no maritime experience”, he says. Over time, that impulse grew into a broader mission.

Today, the floating bookshop ministry has two ships—the Doulos and the Logos—that travel the world with hundreds of volunteers on board. Its purpose is based on three pillars: literature, practical service and training.

“We don’t just carry literature”, explains the executive director, “we also serve local communities by collaborating with churches and organisations, offering practical help and training those on board for a life of service to God”.

International community on board: 270 people from 65 countries

The crew of the Logos Hope numbers around 270 people, although the number changes almost daily. It includes families and children and comes from between 60 and 65 countries. For De Carvalho, this diversity is part of the beauty of the project: “a beautiful reflection of the diversity of the world”.

This plurality also determines the way they work in each port. Ruchir Rana, project director for the visit to Malaga, explains that the approach is adapted to the context. In countries with religious freedom, such as Spain, they collaborate with organisations that share their vision and openly share the message of Jesus through activities and conversations. in places with more restrictions, they opt for different approaches. “Each context requires sensitivity”, he emphasises.

Whether the Logos Hope can open its doors in Malaga depends on complex coordination and teamwork. Ruchir Rana is mainly responsible for government permits, while Jossy Giesbrecht coordinates activities with churches, organisations and social initiatives. On board, Marcos Ruibal prepares the events and activities that will take place on the ship, the general organisation and publicity before and during the stopover.

Ruibal says there is a daily programme with varied activities for families, young people, children and women, and that each event is unique during the stopover. The aim is to support the work already being done by other organisations and churches in the city.

Giesbrecht explained that they are seeking connections with local ministries to serve together, whether through practical help or activities. Among the possibilities he mentions are evangelistic outreaches, prison visits, prayer walks and other projects, so that those who want to collaborate can contact them through their social networks.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Operación MOVILIZACIÓN España (@omspain.es)

Floating bookshop: 5,000 titles, spaces for conversation

One of the central proposals will be the floating bookshop, with some 5,000 titles: children’s books, educational books, Christian books, scientific books and more. There will also be exhibitions, music, art and spaces for conversation on board, according to De Carvalho.

Another attraction is the value of the printed book itself. The executive director explained that in recent years they have detected a renewed interest in things that can be touched, in a world saturated with digital options. The authorities often appreciate that the ship helps to promote reading. For Logos Hope, this cultural dimension is part of its way of connecting with the public and opening doors.

Touching lives

The team shared testimonies that help to understand the kind of impact the ship's visit has.

Rana recounted how they were able to help sailors from other ships who spend months away from their families. One Christmas, the children at the ship’s school baked cookies and took them to the crew of a nearby ship. That gesture opened up conversations about faith, allowed them to pray for the crew, and gave Bibles to those who showed interest.

Ruibal gave another example from the “eyeglass ministry”. In some countries, they help people who have never had access to glasses. He recalled the testimony of an elderly man who was excited because it was the first time he could clearly see the face of his great-grandson. “These are moments that remind us why we do what we do”, he says.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Logos Hope España (@logoshopemalaga.oficial)

Malaga starting point of Europe tour

The ship has been in the Caribbean for almost a year and a half and is now beginning a new stage in Europe. Spain will be the first port of call in this phase, and the team recalls that the last time one of their ships was in Malaga was in 1994.

They are therefore encouraging the local church to make the most of this opportunity to visit the ship and invite friends who do not know the gospel to take part in the activities.