It has been a delight to be part of the New Life Conference held  at the Quinta Christian Conference Centre in Shropshire, near Oswestry UK  from the 2nd August till 9th August 2025, attended by around 500 people.

The Seafarers Christian Friend Society (SCFS) based in Portsmouth led by Port Chaplain Peter Wells along with other missionaries  associated with the New Life conference were invited to set up stalls to display the  works of the  missionaries from day 1 to the last day of the conference. Mission has always been at the heart of the conference, hence stalls were set up on day 1 and  on Wednesday the focus was on the missionary work in various places. Although Peter was not able to speak about SCFS on Wednesday due to the number of missionaries who need to share their work,  his work with SCFS was acknowledged by one of the Trustees which was a real blessing and with other missionaries they were all recognised in front of all the delegates.

Throughout the week we were able to chat with a number of  people who showed  interest in the SCFS work. I would say that we were able to raise the profile of SCFS and make people aware of what we do. We handed out our newsletter, Martin Otto’s books and Peter was able to do sketch-board demonstrations which raised the interest of many. Our stall was next to the Operation Mobilisation (OM) and it was a joy to meet and have fellowship with some whom we had only previously met on zoom prayer meetings. Because of the proximity of all the stalls Hermie was able to encourage and pray with many of the missionaries who had been going through hard times. We met people from China, Cambodia and Uganda who were blessed and from whom we received a blessing. We also had a special visit from Chriswin, the MCM Port Chaplain in Liverpool and it was a joy to pray and share with him.

Overall it has been a  blessing to see the people of God as one though from various places with passion for mission  and for us to be given an opportunity to talk about SCFS and the  work that we do for our seafaring friends across the globe.

Hermie Santos
Portsmouth Trustee & Ship Visitor