THE WORLD’S largest floating book fair has been docked at Ocean terminal in Leith, Edinburgh for more than a week.
The fair is being held on board the MV Logos Hope, a ship run by the German non-profit GBA Ships on behalf of Operation Mobilisation, an Evangelical Christian missionary organisation which aims to use the ship “as a catalyst for all that God is already doing through His people in the UK”.
Many of the books on sale are overtly Christian in tone, and the group’s nascent UK tour, which arrived in Edinburgh from London on 9 July, is being used to “create a sense of encouragement and renewal of the UK Church‘s response to God’s call to make Him known here and around the world”.
The ship travels the world year-round with a staff of more than 300 people from 65 nations, but has not made its way to Edinburgh in more than 18 years.
The ribbon was cut on the boat by the city’s Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, and former Lothian MSP and baptist minister, Jeremy Balfour.
The boat also welcomed the moderators from both the Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland, who each gave the ship a glowing review.
Calum Iain Macleod, who moderates the conservative Free Church of Scotland, attended with his wife and said: “It was a privilege for Dina and I to be at the official opening ceremony of Logos Hope’s visit to Edinburgh.
“Meeting Captain Matt Stephens and chatting to some of the 300 international volunteers serving on board was a great honour and hugely uplifting.”
The ship will continue its evangelising mission across the UK in the coming months, with the boat departing its final stop in Liverpool on 10 November.
Rev Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was given a special reception with his wife, and said he hopes that the Logos Hope’s visit to the capital will be “rich and plentiful”, and prayed that its time in port will “light a fire” in visitors.
He added “It is a very great and personal joy for us both to be with you onboard the Logos Hope today.
“At this opening ceremony, I want to welcome you to Edinburgh and to Scotland and pray that the fruit of your visit will be rich and plentiful.
“In 1984, Fiona and I were able to visit the MV Doulos during her visit to Glasgow.
“We remember that time and those visits as a great encouragement to grow in knowing Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, the one true hope for all people.”
“Speak to one of the crew or a volunteer on the ship today, ask them about their faith in Jesus,” he added.
“My prayer is that a spark will be kindled within you to know Jesus and to follow him as Saviour and Lord.
“May you all be blessed in your visit to Edinburgh and may your visit be a blessing to our city and to the ends of the earth.”
Others, however, have not been so impressed by the ship. One Edinburgh resident, posting to a forum dedicated to local news, said: “The shop itself is predominantly Christian books, and you have to walk through a long, heavy-handed, and child-friendly moral and religious message before you leave.
“None of this is at all obvious from the signage or advertising, and it honestly felt deceptive.”
Others disagreed, with one saying that “there wasn’t really any religion mentioned until the end”, and others asserting that the ship’s Christian mission was not deceptive and was clearly advertised.
On What’s On Edinburgh, the ship is described as follows: “Many may remember the previous visit to Edinburgh in 2009, when thousands of visitors were welcomed up the gangways.
“Now, Logos Hope will be making another visit! Operated by the non-profit organization GBA Ships, Logos Hope sails across the different regions of the world to share knowledge, help and hope to the local communities.
“Visitors will have access to an extensive selection of over 5,000 book titles at affordable prices, curated to suit a wide range of interests and age groups.
“Some topics include science and technology, sports and hobbies, arts, cookery, languages, faith and personal development.
“Children’s literature, dictionaries, and atlases are also available, making the book fair a destination for both leisure and learning, something the whole family can enjoy.”
A statement on Operation Mobilisation’s website says: “The visit of Logos Hope – with her crew and her stories – is to be used as a catalyst for all that God is already doing through His people in the UK.
“The vision for Logos Hope’s UK tour is to create a sense of encouragement and renewal of the UK Church’s response to God’s call to make Him known here and around the world.
“Together, we’re raising a tide of faith and releasing waves of hope across our nation and beyond.”
The Logos Hope will close on 19 July and then depart Edinburgh on 21 July. It will arrive in Aberdeen on 27 July, Cardiff on 10 September, Belfast on 1 October, and Liverpool on 22 October.
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