Sola Gratia and Canal Ministries.

Our work through Canal Ministries on the Inland Waterways.

We are part of this team who primary aim is to share God's love on the waterways. This can take many forms - from simply chatting on the towpath to practical help.

Canal Ministries has been established as a direct response to God's calling of Christian boaters who have a heart for full time evangelism, teaching and training God’s people Churches and throughout the country, not always by waterways.

The team make ourselves available to any Church that can use the variety of gifts with which the Lord has blessed them.

Its members belong to the Boaters' Christian Fellowship, but Canal Ministries is a separate organisation with its own trustees.

Some of the member boats cruise throughout the navigable system, and try to cover different areas. At the moment, our cruising and ministry is based within the Birmingham and Black Country area. However, we did escape to Rugby in the earlier part of the year and hope to get some cruising in away from the area in the latter part of July and during August, although as yet we are not entirely sure where we will go.

Their work is mainly among those with whom they are brought into contact on our waterways and towpaths. These people may be working, boating, fishing, walking, running, cycling, sitting, living, or by the waterways for any other reason(s). They make ourselves available to listen. This includes offering help to Canal & River Trust staff and volunteers, particularly when they have experienced an accident or other trauma.

At present, they have a group based at the western end of the Kennet & Avon Canal. Others cruise around the system to where God is calling them. Two of the team are land based, working with elderly rest home residents in the Tamworth area.

Team members are ready to help anyone in trouble on or around the waterways. They will always lend an ear and help out in any practical way they can. As a charity, they will try and help any boater suffering genuine hardship for whatever reason. This includes working with outside agencies as and when appropriate.

The Boaters are backed up by a team of Trustees, to whom they are responsible. Both Boaters and Trustees are available for teaching and training God’s people and churches throughout the country, not necessarily by the waterways. They make ourselves available to any church, group or organisation that can use the variety of gifts with which the Lord has blessed them. The team are always happy to come and talk to churches about the work they do.

Boaters are self supporting and do not receive a salary. They also belong to the Boaters' Christian Fellowship, although Canal Ministries is a separate organisation with its own trustees.

Canal Ministries.
Sharing God's Love on the Waterways.