GOODNews | Celebrating 60 Years
From The Ministry to Seafarers
June 2025, No. 103
Anchored in Service
Chaplain Michelle DePooter Reflects on 25 Years in Maritime Ministry
Dr. Jason Zuidema of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) interviewed Chaplain Michelle DePooter in June 2025 as she celebrated 25 years of service to seafarers in Montreal and The Ministry to Seafarers.
JZ: Today I have the great privilege to be with Michelle DePooter, who’s a chaplain at the Montreal Ministry to Seafarers (M2S) and who is celebrating an important anniversary this year—that is 25 years—in service to seafarers. First of all, Michelle, congratulations! And secondly, thank you for being with us today.
I’d like to know a bit about how you reflect on 25 years. Take us back to the beginning. How did you get involved in Seafarers ministry?
MD: I had heard about M2S from the time I was quite young. When I was in the girls group at my church, we made Christmas parcels. We went shopping and prepared them, wrote cards, and then sent them to Montreal.
When I was in grade 12, the school that I was attending organized a trip to Montreal and Quebec City, and one of the things we did was stop at the Montreal Seafarers’ Centre. We had a tour there and the chaplain spoke. To be perfectly honest, I don’t remember anything about it…which was surprising when about three or four years later, I was finishing my bachelor’s degree in cross-cultural studies and needed an internship. For some reason the Seafarers’ Centre popped into my mind as a possibility, and it turned out that they were looking for somebody. I moved to Montreal for what was a nine-month internship and 25 years later I’m still here.
JZ: Can you reflect a bit about your initial thoughts, those experiences in the first nine months, compared to what you’re experiencing now? How has the job changed? What is the same?
MD: One of the biggest differences is communication. When I came I was given a cell phone because we needed to be able to communicate with the other ship visitors, chaplains and staff back at the Seafarers’ Centre. It was a rather large device and you could make phone calls and that was about it.
The seafarers did not have cell phones. They could not even use the pay phones by the terminals. We would bring them to the Seafarers’ Centre and they made direct phone calls. We had to time them and charge them per minute. We had a phone book of countries listing the cost per minute and we had to calculate all of that. It was interesting to see what it took for the seafarers to be able to communicate with their families.
Sometimes we would receive letters/packages mailed by their families and when we would visit the ships, we’d deliver these items. Compared to now where, although not all ships have good internet on board, a lot of them do, and the seafarers are able to make regular phone calls, at least, if not video calls to their family and have more of that instant communication. I would say that’s the biggest change that I’ve seen.
The work itself as far as meeting people, talking with them about their families, their life on board, that hasn’t changed. While some of the experiences that they have are different and some of the challenges that they have with their families have changed, the basics are still the same.
Through technology we are also able to share information about our visits with chaplains in other ports. So if I have a conversation with a seafarer that I think would benefit from follow up, I will alert the chaplain in an upcoming port and suggest that a visit might be in order.
JZ: The ministry you work with is The Ministry to Seafarers of the Christian Reformed Church. You’ve been called by them for this, a quarter of a century. What’s distinctive about Christian Reformed chaplaincy, as opposed to the chaplaincy from other churches, but also what is in line with chaplaincy from other churches? How do you feel that you bring something new or different to the world of chaplaincy that perhaps other chaplains in this space might not know of?
MD: One of the main things is seeing people as they are, being created by God in all aspects of their life. Also, that we’re not bringing God to the ships and to the seafarers because God is already there. He’s already at work and we are there to join with him in the work that he is already doing.
I think when I started, there was a misconception that I and others had that this was a godless place. The seafarers were rough. People asked me, “Why would you want to do that? It might not be safe.” Very quickly I realized that this is not the case. God is at work on the ships. We’re there to meet the seafarers where they’re at, and we’re relating to them as whole people. We’re not there only for their spiritual side—although that’s a very important part—but their physical and emotional sides too. We also deal with some of the justice issues, wanting to work for the well-being of their entire person.
JZ: You grew up in Southwestern Ontario, and now have lived your whole adult life in Quebec. How has living in Quebec, being involved in the Montreal CRC and being involved in the Ministry, shaped your life in the last 25 years?
MD: It was different growing up in Southern Ontario where it was somewhat sheltered. I went to Christian schools, went to church, and everybody was related in the Dutch immigrant community that I grew up in. Moving to Montreal was a big change. It’s a much larger, nonreligious city and I had the chance to meet people from all walks of life. I believe Quebec is listed as one of the least evangelized places in North America. It’s interesting talking with people about what I do. There’s a bit more openness to spirituality in Montreal now than there was even 25 years ago. But it’s a very different place. It has shaped me to be able to meet people where they are, respect different opinions and not make assumptions about people because they come from all different backgrounds. It’s a joy to be able to welcome people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and traditions and have conversations with them and not try to necessarily impose certain viewpoints, but work together and have conversations and, through that, be able to share my beliefs, my faith with them.
JZ: One of the peculiarities of working in seafarers’ ministry is that it’s often done with colleagues from other Christian traditions; whether it’s Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, or evangelical of some kind. How has that ecumenical context of work in Montreal and the wider ecumenical context in NAMMA shaped your work over the past 25 years?
MD: I have a greater respect for, and I value, all the different traditions that are there. We might have different ways of practicing our faith, different rituals and different ways of observing our traditions. But at the end of the day, we serve the same God and we want to see seafarers be reconciled to God. I think one of the advantages of working ecumenically is that it does give a different context and, in many ways, allows us to reach more seafarers. For example, if seafarers are devoutly Catholic and they want to attend a Catholic Mass, I can arrange that for them. I can offer communion but sometimes they would prefer a Catholic priest. It’s easy to be able to call our Catholic priest and say, “Hey, there’s crew that would really like to go to Mass. Are you able to do that for them?” In this way, we’re able to meet, in a greater way, the different needs of the seafarers. I’ve learned much from my different colleagues, from all these different traditions. And it’s always interesting, especially at the NAMMA conferences, to see how people weave different traditions into the services, and see that we can all come together and worship together, even though individually it might not reflect our own personal style.
JZ: You’ve now celebrated 25 years of Christmas traditions of seafarers. Can you tell us a bit about Christmas at sea and how you’ve been able to celebrate that over many years?
MD: Our Christmas parcel campaign is always a big part of our fall and winter. We give out approximately 1,500 gifts annually. When I started, we were giving shoe boxes received from churches or individuals. They would package, wrap, and mail them to us. Even though we did ask people to label the worth of the packages, not everybody did. There were many times where we would have to guess as to what the packages contained or what they were worth, and then we’d give them out to the ships accordingly.
Since then, we’ve transitioned to cloth bags sewn by volunteers. Churches and individuals still package them. We also now have the option where people can donate online, and then we have volunteers here that go shopping for us. We have groups that pack the virtual parcels. We also sort through and check all the parcels we receive to make sure that everything is equal and that nothing has broken in transit. We try and maintain the uniqueness of the gifts while ensuring that there is some equality amongst them.
In many ways, more people are involved in the Christmas parcel campaign. It’s not just us as chaplains when we go on board, but it’s the whole host of volunteers that we have either here in Montreal or the people from the girls groups, the boys groups, the friendship groups, youth groups, seniors groups and congregations who pack parcels, knit, write cards and participate in other ways throughout the year.
Once we receive the gifts from our generous donors, then it’s up to the chaplains to deliver them as we go on board. We make sure that every crew member gets one. If there are 23 people on board, we give them 23 gifts.
It’s something that’s always been appreciated by the seafarers. Several years ago a cadet—the lowest ranked member on a ship—commented that he was very surprised that he received the same value of gift as the captain because that normally doesn’t happen. Being able to show a small token of appreciation to the seafarers to say, “Look, we are thinking of you, we are remembering you, and you’re all equal in our eyes” is meaningful. We get a lot of messages and photos, after Christmas with the seafarers thanking us for their gifts.
JZ: What are the skills that you’ve learned about ministry by being a chaplain to seafarers that perhaps other pastors and pastoral leaders could learn if they would come and work at the Seafarers’ Centre?
MD: Flexibility. We have various apps and websites that we refer to, so we know which ships are in port. We have a much better idea of where the ships are, which ones are coming in, which ones are leaving. When I started, we got a list by fax in the morning, but we really didn’t know until we went into the port and talked to the people on board, whether the ship would be leaving that day. We might have had an idea that there was a ship expected, but sometimes in the afternoon we’d go for a drive to see if any other ships had shown up. There was a lot less ability to predict things so we had to be flexible.
We still need to be flexible. Even with all the apps and websites, I could check all the information in the morning, know exactly what ships are in, make a plan of which ships I’m going to visit in what order...and guaranteed I’ll arrive at work, the phone will ring and it will be another ship saying, “Hey, we’re only here until eight o’clock tonight. Can you come and pick us up now?” I will say, “Fine,” which then throws out the whole plan that I had for the day! Yes, this might not be the ship that I had planned to go to first thing this morning, but this is the one that I need to visit and these are the people I need to meet.
One of the other skills is being able to start a conversation with anybody. If you’re in parish ministry, you have your congregation. If somebody in your congregation calls you, you know their background, why they’re calling you. They are the ones who are reaching out first. Even if you are reaching out to your congregation, you still have an idea and you’re calling them because maybe somebody’s sick or there was a health issue, or you have your list that you’re going through and every month you call these certain people.
A chaplain to seafarers must be able to walk on board a ship where, if it’s the first time that it’s been in port, you don’t know anybody on board. You don’t know what the situation is. You don’t know how busy they are or how not busy. You’re, in many ways, going in blind and you’re going to start a conversation with people who usually speak English as a second, third, fourth or fifth language. It can be rather intimidating, and that’s a skill that could be helpful in other situations such as if you’re in a church and you’re trying to expand into your community. There is value in being able to start a conversation with somebody who might look very different or sound very different or speak a different language than you.
JZ: This year also marks the 60th anniversary of The Ministry to Seafarers. In the past six months, two former chaplains have passed on—Hans Uittenbosch, the first chaplain of The Ministry to Seafarers—and Lloyd Burghart who mentored you. Would you share some reflections about them?
MD: I never had the opportunity to meet Hans Uittenbosch, but I recognize that I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in without his vision. He was able to introduce many people to port ministry and we still see the fruits of his labor through the churches and individuals that support us.
I’m thankful to Lloyd for taking a chance and hiring me as an intern. It was not common for women to be port chaplains, but Lloyd had met some of the few female port chaplains in other ports and recognized the advantages of having a balanced chaplaincy team. Soon after I started, he asked me to visit a ship where the crew wouldn’t talk with him. When I went there, the crew invited me in to have a cup of coffee with them, and I continued visiting the ship every month until the crew changed. I am thankful for all the chaplains, interns, and volunteers who have made The Ministry to Seafarers what it is today.
JZ: Chaplain Michelle DePooter, thank you for speaking with us today. Congratulations again on 25 years! We can give thanks to the Lord for a generation’s length of faithful service in the ministry. Thank you for your work!
MD: It’s my pleasure.
2025 Events | Come and Join Us!
Celebrating Maritime events ~ a way to love seafarers
Wednesday, June 25
For the Day of the Seafarer 2025, students from Heritage Christian High painted bags which we plan to fill and distribute on this day marked to celebrate seafarers. Our goal is to fill 100 bags with treats and summer items like sunscreen and a neck gaiter. If you’d like to contribute, donate to the Support Seafarers’ Wellbeing fund on CanadaHelps.
Saturday, September 13
Join us for our 6th Annual Seaway Bike Tour Fundraiser. A generous donor has offered $20,000 in matching donations! This is the perfect opportunity to give! Can’t make it to Montreal? Then ride near a body of water in your community! Contact Patty and she’ll help you plan a great event.
We can also help you get the word out. Download our poster or social media graphic.
Visitors & Volunteers
Since January we’ve introduced 80 new people to the work we do through virtual and in-person tours of the port and/or the Seafarers’ Centre.
Easter Potluck: We welcomed 29 attendees, including four seafarers for a shared meal and a time of fellowship. We are so grateful for the Seafarers’ Centre where we can offer hospitality and friendship. One seafarer said, “I feel safe here. I don’t feel like anyone wants anything from me.”
Thank you for your interest and participation:
Woodland Christian High
Pastor Mike & Barb Vandyk (Grace CRC, Welland)
Rev. David Kromminga and Dr. Mary Buteyn (Resonate Global Mission)
the Montreal Mission Internship 2025 cohort
Heritage Christian School
Judson University (Chicago) graphic design students (virtual).
Update from the Board
We wish to thank Sonja Verbeek (Vice Chair), Bert Wissink (Secretary) and George Zekveld (Treasurer) who recently completed their terms as Board members.
We gratefully welcome Brian Vandenberg (Treasurer), Evert de Boer (Secretary) and Arnold DePooter (Director) to the Board.
Financial Update
In March, our annual joint Cabane à Sucre (sugar shack) Fundraiser with Mariners’ House of Montreal netted about $15,000 for each organization. Despite adding two fundraisers in recent years, we continue to face deficits in our operating budget. We finished 2024 with a shortfall of revenue over expenses of $37,000. Results of our audit are available in our Annual Report.
You can donate by e-transfer (donations@ministrytoseafarers.org), through the PayPal Giving Fund, at CanadaHelps or by cheque. Visit our Donate webpage for details.
Better yet, you can get one charitable receipt for all your yearly donations by setting up an account with Christian Stewardship Services. Give to any Canadian charity. Give anytime. Top up your account as needed. Get one tax receipt from CSS for all your donations. Visit the CSS MemberNET website for details.
NOTE: As you consider your giving, please take the ongoing Canada Post tensions into consideration.
The Board has been through a review of our Mission Statement, and has adopted a new Vision Statement. We are in the process of working toward some strategic goals related to them.
We are committed to sharing the M2S story more broadly in order to invite more partners (both churches and individuals) to join us in supporting the ministry.
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About GoodNews
GoodNews is our newsletter, published three times per year. Be a part of our community and stay informed about our work.
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Staff
Chaplains
Michelle DePooter, Lead Chaplain
David Rozeboom, Chaplain
Administrator
Patricia Sarazen
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Board of Directors
Shawn Brix, Chair
Vicki Vanderveen, Vice Chair & Staff Liaison
Evert de Boer, Secretary
Brian Vandenberg, Treasurer
Debby Smit, Volunteer Liaison
Arnold DePooter, Director
“Thanks…for the hard work you do day-in and day-out. The monthly report we receive gives us a window into your world. The three of you are a busy, committed team, eager to serve the seafaring community well! May God's blessing and favour continue to rest upon your work as you serve Him and His Kingdom, loving your seafaring neighbours as yourself! You're in my prayers!”
— Shawn Brix, Board Chair