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CONVERSATIONS: REV CANON STEPHEN MILLER, THE MISSION TO SEAFARERS

Hong Kong-based Rev Canon Stephen Miller, The Mission to Seafarers’ regional director for East Asia and veteran of the missionary organisation, was recently awarded the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network’s Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year Award for an individual in recognition of the “outstanding” work he does in looking after the welfare of seafarers. The 52-year-old speaks about what the award means to him and his work with the Mission to Seafarers…

Rev Can Stephen Miller

Rev Canon Stephen Miller (right) with a young ship’s captain (centre), and Rev Canon Andrew Wright, general secretary of The Mission to Seafarers. PICTURE: Supplied

IN SHORT – REV CANON STEPHEN MILLER

A Bible verse that’s influenced me…Matthew 25:31ff  (“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne…”)

A book that I’ve been inspired by…Christian Socialism by 19th century Anglican theologian FD Maurice

A person whom I admire…18th century British Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson

First of all, congratulations on receiving the award. What does such recognition mean to you?
“It’s a great honour; most of us who work with seafarers every day appreciate the sacrifice that each crew member makes in leaving family and friends for many months, sometimes with no communication with home for long periods. All this to bring us the essentials we need to live our lives as we would wish. Over the last 17 years, working in the ports of Rotterdam, Dubai and the UAE and now in Hong Kong, I have tried to do all I can to make that sacrifice less painful for the seafarers I meet.”

For those who don’t know, what is The Mission to Seafarers all about and where does it operate around the world?
“Operating in over 50 countries and in over 200 ports The Mission to Seafarers cares for the spiritual and pastoral welfare of all seafarers regardless of race, religion or belief. In over 100 ports we have drop in centres where seafarers can come and relax of their ships to find a home away from home. In all ports where the mission operates ,the chaplains and volunteers daily visit the seafarers on board their ships taking with us news items, SIM cards and even pocket wifi to help those unable to come ashore to stay in contact with their loved ones at home. In many cases, we minister on board and are often invited to hold prayer/communion services for seafarers of all nationalities.”

How long have you been working with The Mission to Seafarers and how did that come about?
“I have been working for The Mission to Seafarers for the last 17 years. Before that I was a parish priest in the [Anglican] diocese of Worcester, England. I guess looking back it was always likely that I would join The Mission, having been born and raised on the south coast of England, close to the sea, [and] the need to be near to the sea was always a pull. I was working in what used to be described as an ‘urban priority area’ in Worcester Diocese with a lot of industry about, so I guess the nearest thing I could get to industrial chaplaincy by the sea is The Mission to Seafarers. I have greatly enjoyed the last 17 years and feel blessed that I can continue to serve seafarers in Hong Kong and in the East Asia region.”

Is seafaring something that’s in your family background?
“No, but I have been and still am a keen sailor of yachts, so living by the sea allows me to enjoy my hobby when I get time.”

When and how did you become a Christian and how did you know you were called into the ministry?
“I suppose I always have been a Christian, being brought up in a very devout Christian family, I didn’t know any different. I think that it was only when I left home to go to university that I started to question what I should be doing on Sundays. I soon realised that I felt called to be not just attending church, but that God was calling me to much more. I remember hearing over and over in my prayers the words ‘be here for me’. I think my calling over the last 25 years since ordination has very much been that I am here for God, here to serve in whatever way I can.”

What does your current role as regional director of East Asia involve?
“Fifty per cent of my job is to head up the team of chaplains in Hong Kong and to manage the two centres which we operate. The other 50 per cent of my time is as regional director of MTS in East Asia, which is a region from Myanmar in the west to Japan in the east. We have 10 mission stations in the region, having recently opened up in The Philippines and Myanmar. My job is to develop the ministry where we are already present and to develop appropriate ministries where there is need. In this last year we have launched a new project in the Philippines caring for the families of seafarers who are experiencing difficulty at home whilst their loved ones are serving at sea. This has led to a similar ‘startup’ project in Yangon, Myanmar, and will probably be a model of ministry that will develop in other ‘sending’ countries of seafarers such as Indonesia and India.”

“Seafarers face many months of loneliness and isolation – often contracts are for eight months at a time, and vacations can be as short as two months before going to sea again. Often they are invisible to the general public…It is important that the church does not forget these people, they are responsible for shipping over 90 per cent of all commodities around the world.”

What’s the best, and conversely, the most challenging, aspect of your work with the mission?
“I think the best and most rewarding part of my ministry is conceiving a new project and getting it ready to launch, seeing it develop and begin to transform the lives of seafarers and their families. Often the most challenging aspects are in dealing with the different governments and authorities in my region, this is often very time consuming and can be frustrating.”

Why is there a need for chaplaincy service aimed specifically at mariners?
“Seafarers face many months of loneliness and isolation – often contracts are for eight months at a time, and vacations can be as short as two months before going to sea again. Often they are invisible to the general public, on their ships behind tall security fences, places where generally the public is not allowed. Nowadays even the ports are way out of town, so the job that the seafarers do is even more invisible. It is important that the church does not forget these people, they are responsible for shipping over 90 per cent of all commodities around the world. If they didn’t exist our supermarkets would not be filled with all the exotic and essential items that we have come to take for granted in this globalised world. But, above all, our reaching out to the stranger in our midst is a Gospel imperative.”

How can we be praying for the work of The Mission and for seafarers?
“Please remember all seafarers in your prayers; the majority come from countries far away – the Philippines, China, Myanmar, Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Indonesia, India and Africa. Some come from countries nearby PNG, Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Please pray for their families living lives punctuated by long periods of separation; please pray for seafarers to be faithful, to never despair, that God is always with them in Jesus our Lord.”

~ www.missiontoseafarers.org

Hong Kong-based Rev Canon Stephen Miller, The Mission to Seafarers’ regional director for East Asia and veteran of the missionary organisation, was recently awarded the Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year Award. He speaks to DAVID ADAMS…

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