Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia :: Nathan and Ruth Schmutz are appointed on board Doulos Hope.
OM are delighted to welcome Nathan Schmutz (Switzerland) and his wife Ruth (Guatemala) to Doulos Hope, as Nathan is appointed the first official director of the vessel. They take over the role from Mark (UK) and Kathy (Australia) Knight, who are currently serving on board as community leaders, and who helped prepare the vessel for service and her launch last May.
Previously, Nathan has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as organisational director for Central America. He joined his first short-term programme in Guatemala in 2012, where he met Ruth and the couple were married in 2014.
Ruth, who has been with the organisation since 2015, has just recently finished her time as organisational director in Guatemala and was previously involved in People Care for both her home country and for Central America.
Having also served on board sister ship, Logos Hope, in 2017, Nathan and Ruth are excited to get to know the Doulos Hope community and see the growth and development of her crewmembers.
“We truly want to be servants of hope,” said Nathan, “so I look forward to helping to shape and form a culture of humility and servanthood within our community.”
The couple are also looking forward to spending time in the Southeast Asia region, where Doulos Hope will be located for the next number of months.
“Nathan and Ruth are resilient leaders and committed to seeing people flourish,” shared CEO, Seelan Govender (South Africa). “I am excited and look forward to the impactful leadership they will bring to advance the role of Doulos Hope in Asia.”
Nathan and Ruth joined the ship as crewmembers during her time in Penang, Malaysia, ahead of her sail to Kota Kinabalu. They will officially begin serving in their new roles from 17 September.
Please join with us in praying for wisdom and guidance for Nathan and Ruth as they begin this new season on board.
Pray they would settle in well to the community and to life on board Doulos Hope.
Pray for a good balance between work and investing in the community, and personal life and rest.