The Great Commission commands us to "go and make disciples of all the nations..." Seven full-time Port Chaplains visit the ships in port each day. (They cover approximately 50 miles of port, consisting of 110 docking areas in 40 shipping terminals.) In many cases, these seafarers are from countries where missionaries are not allowed. At the Seafarers Center the Chaplains hold a worship service each night and provide Bibles in over 40 languages to seafarers free of charge.
The seafarers truly appreciate this ministry. They are far from home and family — strangers in our country. It is a hard and lonely life. One young man from Indonesia said, "What we want most, is someone to care." In Leviticus 19:34 the Bible tells us, "The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself."
You can participate in St. John’s Outreach program to the Seafarer’s Center by becoming involved with the Christmas Box program and by donating books, movies and magazines. St. Johns’ George Dobbin serves on the Searfarer’s Board.
