by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Sometimes things just get in our blood. For conservation activist, Sigurd Olson, it is the wilderness. For television personality, Jay Leno, it is cars. For some it is other-centered living. Ministry to Seafarers chaplain, the Rev. Gary Roosma understands this well. Roosma has served as a missionary in Malaysia for 10 […]
On September 10, eight United Nations Agencies joined together to issue a joint statement about the “humanitarian crisis” in maritime shipping. The joint statement calls on “all Governments to immediately recognize seafarers as key workers, and to take swift and effective action to eliminate obstacles to crew changes, so as to address the humanitarian crisis […]
The COVID-19 mental health challenge The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased concern for the mental well-being of seafarers. Problems include lack of shore leave and inability to change crews. Many voices in the maritime industry and seafarers’ welfare have called for more attention to the problem. Helplines and chat services give seafarers and […]
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 hurricane, left significant damage at the Stella Maris Seafarer’s Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, after it made landfall on the Texas-Louisiana border last Thursday. “Half of our roof was lost,” said Deacon Patrick Lapoint, director of the outreach to international seafarers at Lake Charles. “We have […]
We all seek people we can trust. When seafarers come to a port city after days or weeks at sea, they appreciate the same. Care of seafarers is nearly as old as the profession. The Apostleship of the Sea, or Stella Maris as it is now known, is a global charity that supports seafarers and […]
By Jack L. Rozdilsky, York University – The Conversation As the scope of the Aug. 4 explosion at the port of Beirut becomes clear, the tolls of the loss of life, injuries, homelessness and property damage are staggering. In the immediate chaos of large explosions, it can be difficult to make sense of what has happened. There […]
By Maia VanderMeer, Banner It’s Friday afternoon, July 24, and Michelle DePooter-Francis is on her way to Walmart to pick up items requested by seafarers restricted to their ships. DePooter-Francis is lead chaplain of the Ministry to Seafarers, a mission in the Port of Montreal, and a commissioned pastor with the Christian Reformed Church. On this […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA The Lighthouse Harbour Ministries in the port of Vancouver, British Columbia sees itself as the evangelical outcome of God’s work among committed communities with an eternal purpose. This mission understands its mandate: to love and honor God by serving the seafarers of the world in word and deed. Incorporated in 1981, […]
By Jason Zuidema, NAMMA I have been looking forward to writing this list for a long time. I love podcasts – listening to great audio is one of my favourite pastimes. Though we might think of the 21st century as a time of the image or the screen, it is equally, I think, the golden […]
By Susan Huppert, NAMMA Shared experiences enable us to care about others. We connect with others if we can personally relate with their experience. Such was the case when Anglican priest, Steven Gilbert, started a mission to seafarers in Sarnia, Ontario, in 1983. His son was a seafarer. Communication is crucial to meeting needs. So […]
