Today at the Port of Tauranga Seafarers Centre we were blessed by the visit of four young Filipino women seafarers. Their presence was a reminder not only of the diversity of those who serve at sea, but also of the way God continues to call people into work that sustains communities and nations.
For generations, the maritime world has been overwhelmingly male. Women still make up only a small percentage of the global seafaring workforce. Yet here, before us, stood four bright, capable, and courageous women – a living sign that change is happening, and that opportunities once closed are opening.
The Scriptures remind us that in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In their quiet dignity, these women bore witness to that truth. Their lives testify that strength, perseverance, and skill are not limited by gender, but are gifts from God, given for the blessing of the world.
Seafaring is demanding work. It means long months away from family, the constant movement of oceans, and the unseen challenges of life on board. Yet it also means contributing to the very lifeblood of global trade. Almost everything we use and consume has travelled by sea, carried by the hands of men and women like those we welcomed today.
At the Seafarers Centre, our calling is to be a place of rest, hospitality, and encouragement. A cup of tea, a conversation, or simply the gift of being seen and welcomed – these are small acts of grace that echo the larger hospitality of Christ Himself.
We give thanks for these young women and for all who choose the sea. Their presence among us today was a gift and a reminder that the maritime community is richer and stronger when every person’s calling is honoured. May God bless them and keep them safe on their voyages, and may they know that here in Tauranga they have friends who are praying for them.
A Prayer of Blessing
Loving God,
we give thanks for the women and men who serve at sea.
Bless especially these young women who visited our Centre today.
Grant them strength for their duties, courage in every challenge,
and peace in the long days far from home.
Keep them safe on their voyages,
surround them with your protection,
and remind them always of your love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
