Global Maritime Ministries, the Southern Baptist ministry to the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, has found that the world is truly at their doorstep as thousands of international seamen enter their ports each year.
Global Maritime Ministries, the Southern Baptist
ministry to the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana,
has found that the world is truly at their doorstep as thousands of
international seamen enter their ports each year.
The minstry’s three-man staff often has the
opportunity to share Christ with persons from countries closed to
missionaries.
But the presence of relief workers from across the
nation and the prevalence of loss due to Hurricane Katrina have
produced a myriad of new visitors and ministry opportunities for the
port ministry, even as they deal with their own loss.
Though no physical damage was sustained at the two
centers and offices operated by the South Louisiana ministry, personal
loss was much greater.
Philip Vandercook, executive director of Global
Maritime Ministries, and his staff returned to the New Orleans port as
soon as authorities allowed, providing clothes, Bibles and supplies for
those in need, including 15 Harbor Police officers whose homes were
completely lost.
As others learned of the work of the port ministry, requests for help began to pour in.
The office personnel of the Army Corps of Engineers
sustained great losses and asked Vandercook for emergency supplies.
When an officer learned of the death of a family member in Mexico,
Vandercook was called upon to provide pastoral counseling.
Through their contact with military personnel, Global Maritime
Ministries was granted permission to board the two Carnival cruise
ships chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Association to
house emergency personnel.
They also were allowed to conduct worship services
and minister to the crews for the duration of the relief effort.
“God has opened the right doors at the right time to meet the right people,” Vandercook said.
Hurricane Katrina forced the evacuation of the Port
of New Orleans, but the Global Maritime Ministries center at Reserve,
La., 40 miles upriver, remained open. After the levees broke, the
center served as a temporary post for the National Guard, enabling them
to enter the flooded region by boat.
Chris Garrett, a port chaplain at Reserve, helped
transport emergency personnel to command centers, and Global Maritime
Ministries provided three meals each day for the National Guard there.
“The men witnessed some disturbing scenes,” Garrett
said. “We were glad to provide a place for them away from all that.”
The ministry center at Reserve is also the temporary
home to 40 men who lost everything in the heavily flooded area of St.
Bernard Parish. Meals, shelter and clothing continue to be provided.
The heightened demand for supplies and resources
accentuates the greatest loss for the port ministry staff — a sudden
drop in critical financial support.
“Many of our most faithful supporters are in the
Gulf Coast region and have been devastated by Katrina,” Walley said.
“They are hurting, too.”
More than 85 percent of the ministry’s annual budget
is met by donations from churches and individuals, rather than from
convention funds.
Financial contributions may be made by sending
checks designated for Global Maritime Ministries to the Louisiana
Baptist Foundation, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309. (BP)