The Story of Lifeboat 14

On the night of April 15, 1912 the British luxury liner Titanic disappeared beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The "unsinkable" ship had betrayed those who trusted her.

With over 2,000 people aboard and only twenty lifeboats available, hundreds of people were left to perish. The lifeboats, some only partially full, rowed to safety beyond the desperate reach of those struggling in the frigid waters.

Those safe in the lifeboats rowed aimlessly into the night, listening to the horrible cries of the lost and justifying why they could not go back to save those who were drowning. The fear of capsizing paralyzed the very ones who could offer help and hope.

But the survivors in Lifeboat No.14 chose a different course. Compelled by the sense that they were morally bound to save as many as they could, they rowed toward the voices in the darkness. A precious few were saved.

The reward for the rescuers was the knowledge that they had risked all to save others. A lifetime free of regret awaited the volunteer crew of Lifeboat No.14. When called upon in the moment of need, they did the right thing for the right reason.

In a similar way we look at our small groups as lifeboats that are rowing out into the wreckage and ruin of broken lives and broken people. They are groups on a mission. The mission is simple – fill the boat, rescue the perishing. Why? Because once we were the ones in the water and someone cared