Lloyd was a ‘quiet man’ with a big heart both for God and for people. He was also a leader with the sharp mind of a scientist and the warm heart of a pastor. However busy the programme, Lloyd had time for people. On board ship, the Nicholas cabin door was always open with a cup of coffee awaiting those who needed a chat.

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For generations of young people who served with OM Ships, Lloyd will be remembered as a patient teacher, a good listener, and a godly mentor.  Though a legendary man of few words, he was a brilliant and profound speaker, huge fun to be with, and a colleague who revelled in ‘green lighting’ discussion, or as he called it, ‘blue horizon’ thinking.

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Lloyd was born in 1955 in Brisbane, Australia. At the University of Queensland he achieved a Science Honours Degree in Maths and Chemistry.  His scientific background, especially his grasp of details, often shaped his approach to dealing with the challenges of ministry and leadership throughout his life.

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In 1976, at the age of 21,  Lloyd first joined OM. He was briefly with a team in Berlin working among the Turkish community, before coming to OM’s first ship, Logos. His diplomatic and coordinating skills were soon recognised and he was appointed to the ‘line-up’ department – going ahead of the ship seeking permissions with port authorities and arranging programmes with local churches. This challenging and immensly fulfilling role was to become Lloyd’s forte as he grew in knowledge and experience of procedures, customs and cultures around the world.

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By 1983, Lloyd was overall reponsible for port planning and schedule management, based at the OM Ships head office in Mosbach, Germany. It was during this time in Mosbach that he and Charlotte were married. Their first son Steven was born in 1985 and daughter Vanessa in 1987.

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Always ready for a new challenge and taking another step of faith, Lloyd and Charlotte with their two children joined OM’s second ship, Doulos, in 1988. Lloyd was now responsible for the entire Programme Department, which included managing the line-up teams as well as planning and co-ordinating all of the on-board public events in each port.

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Shortly after returning to Mosbach in 1990, their second son Daniel was born. For the next eight years Lloyd, along with his senior colleagues, continued to develop and refine the OM Ships line-up processes,  personally engaged in front-line survey trips,  and oversaw the training of new line-up personnel.

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His survey and advance preparation work took him frequently around the world. However, it was his unrivalled expertise in grasping both the opportunities and complexities in the Middle East, which heralded in a new era for the Ship Ministry. Lloyd was able to win the hearts and trust of many Arab leaders resulting in repeat ship visits. His calm and thorough approach mixed with his warm smile and humble trust in God opened many doors for the Ship Ministry, including Lebanon during a civil war, and Libya while still under the rule of President Gaddafi.

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Between 1998 and 2001, Lloyd served on board as Director of Doulos. Now back in Mosbach, following a period as Director of Public Ministries, he was asked to undertake one of the biggest challenges of his life and what George Verwer described as the greatest step of faith in OM history.  Lloyd was appointed as leader of the ‘Next Ship Project’.

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Lloyd embarked upon the project with passion, vision, style, gravity, good humour, faith, and most important of all, an extraordinary ability to enlist the friendship and loyalty of a new generation of young leaders to join with him in realizing the dream. Logos Hope was finally launched into ministry in 2008.

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Lloyd, together with Charlotte, served as Managing Director of Logos Hope from 2012. His vision was, as always, to see the on-board ship’s family grow in their walk with the Lord.  His amazing ability to teach the Bible from a completely fresh perspective will be remembered by all who ever heard him.

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His friend George Verwer wrote, ‘I mainly remember this man of God that I’ve known for about 40 years as a loving, steady, long-distance, Spirit-led marathon runner.’ 

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Lloyd’s favourite Bible verse was Deut. 30:19,20 ‘Choose life…love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him for the Lord is your life’.

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Lloyd chose life, and what a life. Few have both seen and participated in what God is doing around the world, as Lloyd did. Only Heaven will tell the full story. But we his friends and colleagues can say he chose well and served his Lord faithfully to the end.

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Lloyd Nicholas                                                                                                                                                 1955 - 2017