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From Charleston to Jacksonville: A Network of Care for Seafarers

by Dr. Christopher Graham (NAMMA) Among the many thank you notes hanging in the North Charleston Terminal Seafarers’ Center, one stands out to Deacon Paul Rosenblum. It says: “Thx for a shelter. A place where we can find peace in our minds!” Recalling the incident that prompted that note, Dcn. Paul points out that the […]

NAMMA launches renewed training platform for seafarers’ welfare providers

The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) has renewed its online training platform at namma.org/training. For more than a decade via the online platform known as “MARETraining,” NAMMA has offered online training that has equipped chaplains, ship visitors, and volunteers with practical tools for ministry among seafarers. That training has become a trusted resource, hosting a wide range of courses […]

Addressing a Growing Crisis: Seafarer Abandonment at CMA Shipping 2026

At the CMA Shipping 2026 conference in Stamford, Connecticut, the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) convened a timely and urgent forum on one of the most pressing humanitarian issues in global shipping today: seafarer abandonment. Held on the morning of March 12, the panel brought together legal, insurance, welfare, and regulatory perspectives to grapple […]

A Visit to the International Mariners Center in the Port of Hueneme, California

by Jason Zuidema (NAMMA) The International Mariners Center in the Port of Hueneme, California, recently welcomed the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) for a visit and conversation with the volunteers who sustain the ministry there. Hosted by board president Chuck Culkins, the gathering brought together about a dozen volunteers and supporters who serve seafarers […]

Lunch and Launch: A Strategic Vision for Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate

At the International Maritime Center in the Port of Oakland, California, a small gathering of maritime leaders, community members, and partners met for a “Lunch and Launch” event hosted by Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate at the IMC (SMGG at the IMC). The event marked an important moment for the organization as it enters […]

NAMMA at CMA Shipping 2026: Keeping Seafarers’ Welfare in the Conversation

by Jason Zuidema (NAMMA) From March 10 to March 12, representatives of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) were present at the CMA Shipping Conference in Stamford, Connecticut. The CMA Shipping Conference is one of the premier maritime gatherings in North America, particularly influential in the tanker and dry bulk sectors. Each year it […]

Welcome Home! A Visit to the Norwegian Church Houston

by Jason Zuidema (NAMMA) On a bright Houston morning, a group of maritime ministry students gathered at the new home of the Houston Norwegian Church (Sjømannskirken) at 12211 Memorial Drive, on property graciously owned by Christ The King Lutheran Church. The Sjømannskirken is part of the global International Christian Maritime Association, so students from other […]

Propelled by People: A Night of Hope at the Texas Port Ministry Banquet

Dow Academic Center – Lake Jackson, Texas – 26 February 2026 Five hundred supporters gathered at the Dow Academic Center in Lake Jackson for the Annual Texas Port Ministry Fundraising Banquet, an evening filled with gratitude, generosity, and a shared commitment to the people of the Freeport Harbor community. Guests enjoyed excellent food, efficient service, […]

A Spiritual Vision for Seafarers’ Welfare: Bishop Frank Schuster

On February 23, during the Houston Training, we were honored by the presence of Bishop Frank Schuster, Stella Maris Bishop Promoter for the United States. His participation brought both pastoral encouragement and theological depth to the gathering. Speaking first at Morning Prayer, he reflected on the Gospel of Jesus walking on the water and connected […]

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