By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter
[img_assist|nid=7148|title=GMM Mission Ministry Day|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=68]NEW ORLEANS – Laughter lit the faces of Louisiana teens and a seafarer from India as a small puck bounced around the international tabletop game Carrom, then skipped past the pocket.
The shot was a “miss,” but the first-ever Acteens/Youth On Mission Ministry Day at Global Maritime Ministries in New Orleans was a definite hit.
“It’s been a great experience for them,” said Kimberly Aguillard, Children/Youth Mission Education Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.
The group of nearly 60 youth and sponsors stuffed envelopes for the monthly newsletter, prepared food, and visited one-on-one with men and women from around the world. Crewmembers from cruise ships visit the center when docked in New Orleans.
“Most are from different religions,” said Will Owens, an eighth grader from First Baptist Church in Bogalusa. “I asked one man if he ever thought about God.”[img_assist|nid=7148|title=GMM Mission Ministry Day|desc=Louisiana teens and a seafarer at Global Martime Ministries play an international tabletop game called Carrom. The teens were at Global Maritime in New Orleans as part of the inaugural Acteens/Youth On Mission Ministry Day. More than 60 youth and sponsors participated in the event.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=436]
Aguillard said she felt God’s leading to provide a co-ed hands-on mission experience for all youth.
“I wanted the youth to have the experience of interacting with internationals,” Aguillard said. “Sixty-five nations were represented on this cruise ship.”
Global Maritime Ministries provides refreshments, phone and internet services for seafarers away from home. Last year, the ministry recorded 13,750 contacts with seafarers from 115 countries, 1,000 Bibles distributed, and 20 professions of faith.
Philip Vandercook, executive director, spoke to the youth missions team Friday evening, and presented them with specific prayer requests.
“It was amazing to hear teens from all over the state, who have a heart to be here and be used by God, to pray,” Aguillard said. “They were willing to do whatever.”
Micah Collins, youth minister at First Baptist, Bogalusa, said he was looking for an event that would build cohesion and “ownership” of missions in his junior high youth group.
“Helping others is especially important at this age,” Collins said. “Getting outside their comfort zone is a big important step toward [ownership]. That’s what I was looking for.”
The theme for the overnight event – “Walking on Water” – was based on Matthew 14:28-29. The youth were challenged to follow wherever God leads.
Stacy Hillestad, Acteens leader from First Baptist, Tioga, said some were nervous at first, but found it easier than expected to talk to the seafarers. Crewmembers are required to know English to work on the cruise ships.
“It’s been fantastic,” Hillestad said. “Beyond my expectations.”
Samantha Jackson, a high school junior from Lakeview Baptist Church in Shreveport, said the day reinforced to her that, “We are all the same. Everyone wants to be loved and shown that they’re important.”
After returning home, Owens said, he will continue to pray that seafarers who visit the Global Martime will understand the ministry serves others in order to show “how great God is.”