The first time I visited a shipping terminal, I felt like I was on another planet. How could this world of containers, cranes, and ships—larger than anything I’d ever seen—exist in the same world I’ve known my whole life? Or a 24-person crew transporting 5,000 cars or 17,000 tons of orange juice? I was confronted […]
Read More“What do you do?” It’s a common conversation starter. Most people expect to hear about an office job or something universally understood, like being a nurse or a teacher. But 100% of the time when I answer, “I’m the Supervisory Chaplain for Ministry on the River with Seamen’s Church Institute,” people stop what they’re doing […]
Read MoreLeilany Rodriguez of Tulane Law School has been selected as the Center for Mariner Advocacy’s (CMA) summer intern for 2025. Leilany will be the thirtieth intern to serve in this capacity, continuing a partnership between the Seamen’s Church Institute and Tulane Law School that began in 1993. Leilany shares her thoughts on joining CMA: “I’m thrilled to be […]
Read MoreThe Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) Center for Maritime Education (CME) was asked to provide updated data to support Texas A&M University at Galveston’s proposed dock for its new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, utilized as a training ship for Texas A&M cadets. The request came from Capt. David Foret, of the ACTion Group and Chair of the Navigation Subcommittee, […]
Read MoreISC Director Matthew Morse, Esq. reflects on his experiences at SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center and outlines his vision for its future development.
Read MoreMinistry on the River Chaplain, the Rev. Geoff Davis talks about SCI’s Crisis Response call to support mariners in Washington DC involved in a recovery effort.
Read MoreWhen the Algoma Verity’s
captain sought help extending
his crew’s shore leave, SCI
Chaplain Bill Allport
collaborated with CMA
Director Phil Schifflin to
navigate policies. Despite
bureaucratic hurdles, Chaplain
Allport engaged with customs
officials and vessel agents,
demonstrating SCI’s
commitment to supporting
seafarers by providing
guidance, reassurance, and
a trusted presence.
We’re excited to share that Chaplain Pardun, SCI’s Supervisory Chaplain for the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River Region, has been highlighted in the Waterways Journal for her compassionate work and unwavering commitment to America’s mariners. In the article, Grace speaks about her spiritual calling and her hope to bring encouragement, care, and God’s love to […]
Read MoreAbove: William Mercer, ISC Operations Associate/Driver (far left) and Matthew Morse, Esq., SCI’s Director of the International Seafarer’s Center (second from right) are joined by students from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Spring has arrived at the International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) in Port Newark, bringing with it new partnerships and fresh faces. Over the […]
Read MoreSCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy (CMA) Director, Phil Schifflin, Esq., attended the Fifth Meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee established under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from April 7-11, 2025. Representing SCI as a member of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) Delegation, Schifflin was one of […]
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