Get Involved in Port Ministry

Why would someone volunteer?
To serve the needs of the invisible people on whom we depend for so many of the products we use each and every day. This is a great way to say thank you to these men and women.

Who is a good fit?
Anyone who enjoys meeting new people from other countries. What kind of personality types or skill sets? All it takes is a friendly attitude and a willingness to bring the love of Christ to others. Ministry experience? No previous ministry experience is needed. Fluent in which languages? English is the working language on the ships and most of the seafarers have very good English skills so no other language skills are needed. If a volunteer speaks Tagalog, Hindi, or Russian that is an extra bonus as these are the three most common non-English native languages of the seafarers.

What would be the responsibilities be for a volunteer?
What do they do when they show up? Our main responsibilities are to help seafarers meet their material needs by helping them communicate with their families via WiFi (free in the centers) and transporting them for shopping in our vans. We also go on board the vessels to visit with those seafarers who are unable to come to the centers due to work schedules. But really the most important thing we do is show them Christ’s love through our care for them.

What is the time commitment?
Most volunteers come one day a week for 4-8 hours.

With whom will they be working as a team?
Are there groups of 5 volunteers at the same time? There are usually 2-4 volunteers on duty.

“Because of this ministry I have friends all over the world. I may never see them again, but they remain my friends. They will always know that they are loved by the Lord because they experienced that love here in Charleston.” - Deacon Paul Rosenblum, Apostleship of the Sea Port Minister