History

The vision of MurSea Missions, Inc. was birthed with Loren and Georgia Murphy after several years of sailing on the open ocean in the mission field. Loren, a third-generation tug boat skipper and a commercial general contractor, had rebuilt their 40' sloop, "AMERICAN FLYER", for this purpose. After three years ministry in the South Pacific it became apparent that there was also need for humanitarian aid in these remote islands.

The Murphy's returned home to acquire a larger sailing vessel to accomplish their goals. In the process of searching for a larger vessel, they were able to assist in the acquisition and rebuilding of the 65' schooner "JOSHUA" for a ministry in San Francisco Bay. Next, they were asked by a family in Cape Town, South Africa, to skipper their 60' steel sloop "PETACH TIKVA" and teach them how to sail as they traveled from Cape Town to Grenada in the Caribbean. Later, the "South Pacific Bible Society" requested they deliver the donated 51' ketch, "SOUTHERN CROSS" from Hong Kong to Honiara, Solomon Islands. After completing that journey, Loren and Georgia returned home only to hear from their friends, who were temporarily stationed in Crete, that their 50' ketch "GOD'S SPEED" had broken her moorings in a storm and sank on a lee shore. After three months work in Crete by the Murphy's, their friends and others, "GOD'S SPEED" was cleaned up, painted and launched ready to fire up the engine. Upon returning home to North Idaho from Crete, the Murphy's reflected on the various vessels they had worked on and determined that none of them would have been suitable for the type of mission they hoped to accomplish. With that in mind Loren started designing what he thought would be the 'right' vessel and with the Lord's help, "ZEBULUN" was born. Later, Naval Architect, Michael Kasten was commissioned to complete the engineering and drawings.

Joining Loren and Georgia in the corporation are their children who also bring expertise to the organization. Brenda and Jack Lawlor have been involved with the outdoors since they were kids. Jack worked as a paramedic for 18 years and Brenda was a firefighter / advanced EMT for 5 years. Both were involved in wilderness, high angle, white-water and dive rescue. They both were rescue instructors throughout the area for over 5 years as well. They took their wilderness experience with them to the Amazon basin in Brazil and assisted Project Amazon in building a school in the remote reaches of the jungle. Back home they continue to work with youth by teaching at a local Christian school and continuing to take groups out for rock climbing, rappelling and challenge courses. Brenda continued this work through the Red Cross, both in a volunteer and paid positions

Sophie and Wayne Crismore have also joined Loren and Georgia rounding out the family with their expertise in construction and health care. Wayne has been a welder for over 17 years and Sophie works in a small community hospital as a respiratory therapist. These two have also been involved in the wilderness as wilderness guides, avid hunters and working with the Boy Scouts.

Through the years Loren and Georgia have been involved and held offices with the Christian Boaters Association and the Lewis-Clark Sailing Association where they still race their San Juan 21.