The Ministry on the River
by Bob Dungy, District Superintendent,
Columbus District, Columbus, Indiana

I was introduced to The Seamen's Church Institute's Ministry on the River the day Chaplain Jim Wilkinson visited my office. I had not heard of this important ministry before; however, our discussion that day sparked my interest in the lives of the men who spend weeks at a time on the waterways. After talking with Chaplain Wilkinson, I arranged a meeting of pastors in my district with churches on the Ohio River. At this presentation we learned about the vigorous work of the seamen, who spend up to twenty-eight days at a stretch without setting foot on land.

The pastors were apprised of the ways pastors and churches might become involved in ministry to the seamen. An exciting ministry project is Christmas-on-the-River, which arranges for Christmas gift packages to be given to mariners on Christmas Day. The packages include handmade knitted articles and homemade cookies that remind the men that they are thought about at Christmas time. Other projects ask churches to gather books and videos to be distributed on the boats. Pastors may volunteer to serve as chaplains and interact with the mariners on the boats, to respond in times of crisis, and to provide ministry to mariners and their families.

One of my pastors and I participated in an orientation at The Seamen's Institute in Paducah, Kentucky, where we learned more about the objectives of The Seamen's Church Institute, its ministry to crew members, and the projects of the Ministry on the River. Of great interest was the simulated experience of life on a vessel. One of us had the opportunity to "steer" the vessel, which is much harder than one would think.

Chaplain Wilkinson arranged a time for me to serve as chaplain on one of the vessels. We drove to Leavenworth, Indiana, where a boat was dispatched from the vessel to pick me up from the shore so that I could begin my experience with the mariners. I was introduced to the nine mariners who each had an assigned task to perform on the trip along the Ohio River. The hospitality afforded to me by the busy crew was most appreciated. The men worked "six hours on and six hours off" the clock. Each member performed a task that contributed to the total effort of the crew. The mariners functioned as a team, knowing that each task contributed to the whole. There were times to interact with the mariners, to get to know them and to eat with them. Upon leaving the vessel I had the opportunity to present the captain with a Bible and to give devotional literature to the crew, which they seemed glad to receive.

Prayer is an important component of the Ministry on the River. There are times when I open my e-mail to find several concerns for prayers for the mariners and their families. It is a privilege to stop what I am doing and pray for each of the concerns listed. I feel connected to the mariners and their families.

I highly recommend the Ministry on the River to pastors and churches along the waterways. A church can become a River Friendly Church by participating in the ministries of The Seamen's Church Institute; pastors can become chaplains and provide a caring presence to mariners who spend so much time away from home. It is both rewarding and a means of the grace of God, who is on duty around the clock for all of God's children.

Posted 7-02-02