OUR ORGANIZATION

What We Do

• We visit people on the remote coast the same way friends visit friends in cities, except instead of road transportation, we travel by water.

• We share our lives over cups of coffee, meals around the galley table, and being part of whatever is happening, whether helping unload new generators or stacking firewood.

• Some places we stay for a night or two, some places a few weeks. It depends on the place or community.

• We continue to grow in our relationship with God, and when asked, are able to explain how God makes a difference day-to-day in our lives.

• Some relationships lead to friendships where we are welcome to more intentionally walk out faith together. We are encouraged as we share times of Bible reading and prayer.

• We do all of this so people know they are loved and welcome in God’s family. We do it for God’s glory, not our own.

Who We Are

Vessel Crew

The mission vessel is crewed by a combination of long-term and short-term crew. Long-term crew have the options of raising support as IMCS staff or working in a coastal community to provide financially and invest more deeply in between voyages.

Director & CAPTAIN

Catherine’s first introduction to remote places and people on the coast was through short-term missions trips during her Forest Science degree. She worked fulltime with Coastal Missions from 2010-2017, serving aboard the Coastal Messenger on the BC and Alaska coast. She stepped away to pursue a Nautical Science degree, obtaining her Watchkeeping Mate’s and Master’s 150 Tonne Certificates in 2022. She serves as the Director of Coastal Light without pay, and balances a job as a navigation officer to keep her qualifications current.

ENGINEER

Michael came to the coast in 2009 to become a commercial diver. Diving took him around Vancouver Island. In 2013, he purchased a 48-foot sailboat to further enjoy the islands and inlets from Seattle to Port Hardy. He brings a plethora of mechanical skills, puns, and a passion for radio and electronics. Next to fixing things, he loves baking cinnamon buns to give away. He is an asset to the crew because of how he sees God at work and his heart to serve people on the coast.

Coastal Light Advisory Council

Because of its unique marine element, Coastal Light has an Advisory Council to provide prayer support, encouragement, accountability, and advice to the Coastal Light Director. Each Advisor brings expertise and experience that is relevant to the unique nature of this ministry, and a heart for God and the coast.

International Messengers Canada

The IMCS Board has the final responsibility for direction and control of all IMCS projects and sees their role as service rather than overseeing, there to support crew in following God’s lead. By sharing bookkeeping, receipting, board requirements, and other administration across multiple projects, IMCS reduces the overhead costs. IMCS offers quality training and staff care, and is marked by a culture of grace.

The IMCS Co-Directors, Gene and Grace Fox, have a solid understanding of marine operations. Gene grew up on boats, started the sailing program on the West Coast at Camp Homewood with four 27-foot Catalina sailboats. He and Grace currently reside on a 48-foot sailing vessel.