Deepening Connections: PMI 2026 in New Orleans

by Dr. Christopher Graham, NAMMA

Maritime ministers gathered 23–26 June for the 2026 Port Ministries International (PMI) Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Organized around the theme “Deepening Connections for Global Impact,” the conference wove together times of prayer, worship, fellowship, and sessions focused on strengthening the connections that port chaplains and workers rely on in their service to those in the maritime community. While much of the conference took place on the grounds of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, activities also took place on other notable sites in the region.

Global Maritime Ministries (GMM) hosted the opening dinner, worship, and a welcome by PMI President Chris Moore, who serves as Director of Texas Port Ministry. Activities on the second day focused on building connections with each other, culminating with an evening in the French Quarter. The third day included an extended visit to Reserve, Louisiana, where Robert Roussel serves as Chaplain at the GMM River Parishes Center. Attendees were able to see the progress being made in rebuilding the center, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ida in 2021. They were then welcomed to the Port of South Louisiana headquarters, where Micah Cormier, Chief Commercial Officer, gave great insight into the Port of South Louisiana, the largest of the five deepwater ports comprising the Lower Mississippi River.

Philip Vandercook, GMM Executive Director, led both port staff and conference attendees in a Day of the Seafarer Recognition that included prayers led by PMI members for seafarers and their families. Encouraged by its global growth, members are looking forward to convening next year in Germany—the first PMI conference to be held outside the United States.

The full program of the conference is here.