OUR MISSION
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission is to provide a safe haven for seafarers when they visit our shores,
regardless of their race, colour or creed and to provide for their spiritual, physical and mental well-being
in a supportive, family and encouraging environment for them.
SEACHURCH MINISTRY
J Jesus movement at sea
E E-mail ministry to seafarers, families and ships
S Support worship, Bible study and evangelism
U Unite seafarers and sea families on the web in Christ
S Sharing the Gospel: ship to shore, shore to ship
OUR SERVICES
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Home-away-from-home centre to rest and recharge
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Free internet / Money exchange / Canteen
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Transportation services
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Pastoral care
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Emergency assistance
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Worship service onboard, weekly Sunday Messages
We expanded our seachurch ministry with new approaches in 2010.
Onboard – Sunday services
Seafarers often request for a service onboard when they visit our ports.
Also, even when the chaplain does not conduct a service, he visits ships and shares sermon notes and gospel materials to crew members.
Email – sharing Good News every Sunday
Every Sunday from 2011, the chaplain sends out the gospel message to ships and seafarers via email.
YouTube and Facebook – reaching seafarers’ families
We have an online community for seafarers, their family and friends.
PROJECTS and CAMPAIGNS
Our Manila Project is an extension of our seachurch outreach ministry where since 2011, we have visited the Philippines to meet with seafarers. Philippines is the home country of the largest number of our visiting seafarers in Geelong.
Smile Campaign
Smoke-Free Campaign
OUR MTS GEELONG FAMILY
MTS GEELONG COMMITTEE
Chairman
Neil Thomas
Secretary
Revd. John Minotti
Treasurer
Greg Creek
Members
Marion Creek, Michael Dougall, Revd. David Milford, Terry Hopkins, David Frederick
VOLUNTEERS
MTS Geelong Family
Life Members
Valerie Gibbons, Lynne Loth, Bill Romney, Robert Nicholls
CHAPLAIN
Revd. Noah Park
OUR HISTORY
MISSION TO SEAFARERS
The 'Mission to Seafarers' works in over 200 ports in 50 countries, caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through our global network of chaplains, staff and volunteers we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers' centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services.
HISTORY OF
MISSION TO SEAFARERS GEELONG
The care of seafarers in Geelong began in the late 1800s as Brown Bill’s “History of Geelong” records that the first sailors’ rest was established in Corio Street east of Moorabool Street (probable near to the western entrance of Bay City Plaza).
A number of townsmen who wished to provide comfort and a welcome to sailors from other countries sponsored the movement, and for some time the Rest was a popular resort. The custom of sending “a bag of books” on board each of the outgoing ships was started in the Corio Street rooms.
On 7 February 1899, a re-established Geelong Sailor’s Rest was opened in the Liverpool, London, & Globe Insurance Co. building in Moorabool Street. Robert J. Moore and J.S Gowty were the joint secretaries.
On 3 February 1912, the foundation stone was laid for the King Edward VII Sailors’ Rest on the corner of Moorabool Street and Eastern Beach and this served as the home away from home for seafarers until 1986 when the present centre was established at 7 The Esplanade North Shore.
A major extension and refurbishment project was completed in 1996 when a new chapel, library, and additional storage facilities were built