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Alaska Christian Ministry to Seafarers (ACMS)
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THE ANCHOR
Seward Edition
“Those who go down to the sea in ships… See the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep.”
— Psalm 107:23–24 (NKJV)
Serving seafarers through hospitality, practical care, and gospel-centered ministry across Alaska’s ports.
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Spring 2026 Ministry Update
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Director's Welcome
A Greeting from Poochie Jones
Dear Ministry Partners and Friends,
Welcome to this special edition of The Anchor. As our family steps into this new season of ministry as the Director of the Alaska Christian Ministry to Seafarers, we are filled with deep gratitude for the path the Lord has laid before us. Transitioning roles and moving our lives to the beautiful port of Seward has been an extraordinary journey of faith and provision.
This inaugural update serves as both a reflection on God’s hand over our relocation and a look forward to the bustling maritime cruise season now arriving at our shores. We invite you to join us in celebrating what He has done and praying for the thousands of international crew members we will serve this summer. Thank you for walking alongside us in this labor of grace.
In Christ's sustaining grip,
William "Poochie" Jones
Director, ACMS
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The Morning Watch
The God Who Directs Our Steps
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
Moving to Alaska required a particular kind of faith. It is the quiet, daily dependence of simply placing one foot in front of the other. We did not have every answer, but we knew the One who faithfully leads.
Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God delights in directing dependent believers:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)
“A man’s steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?” — Proverbs 20:24 (NKJV)
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” — Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
Maritime ministry quickly teaches this deep dependence. You cannot manufacture divine appointments or schedule spiritual hunger. You simply show up, serve faithfully, pray dependently, and watch the Lord work.
In Seward, we are cultivating a rhythm called “The Morning Watch.” We lay the day before the Lord before the work begins.
- This is not a formula.
- It is a relationship of dependence.
- It is the heartbeat of this new season.
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Welcome to a New Season
Settling Into Seward
Our family is continuing to settle into Seward while learning the rhythms of ACMS. In the midst of this transition, the Lord graciously provided a fully remodeled home for us. He has demonstrated His perfect timing through every unknown.
A New Season in Alaska — The Anchor Seward Edition
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Ministry Snapshot
Encouragements Along the Way
Before we step out to serve others, the Lord often allows us to receive from His hand. He has beautifully ministered to our family through His people over the past few weeks:
• Shared Meals: Hosted in multiple homes across Alaska.
• Blessing Box: Packed with household needs from Resurrection Bay Baptist Church.
• Facility Upgrades: Two donated couches for the mission building.
• Transportation: A Suburban graciously given to our family.
• Logistics Help: Mike and Tammy Adams safely drove our Honda Pilot to Alaska.
• Financial Support: Generous transition gifts from cross-country believers.
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Current Focus
Preparing the Mission
Much of our current workload involves preparing for the intense summer ministry season stretching across Seward, Whittier, and Anchorage. We are actively learning operations from Scott Johnson and the veteran ACMS team, while developing new communication systems, updating the website, and expanding ship contact outreach. Joe and Jeanette Seale have also been incredibly supportive throughout this transition, and I was blessed with the vital opportunity to shadow Jeanette directly during active ship ministry onboard the Coral Princess.
The summer ministry season is underway behind the scenes through:
- Volunteer coordination and scheduling logistics
- Facility preparation, organization, and infrastructure cleanup
- Port relationship building throughout the regional docks
- Outreach planning and local transportation frameworks
Safety Update: Operational plans for the season have shifted significantly following a recent safety inspection of the multi-million dollar Seward cruise terminal project. Due to unexpected structural issues discovered on the floating dock, the grand opening has been officially delayed, requiring immediate structural updates before ships can dock safely.
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Local Ministry
Teaching & Fellowship
In addition to mission preparation, the Lord continues to open doors for deep local ministry connections. It has been a true privilege to already be allowed to teach directly within the local community:
- Preaching: Teaching at Resurrection Bay Baptist Church.
- Community: Participating in the city-wide Seward Easter Sunrise Service.
- Discipleship: Volunteering to lead and facilitate the community men’s Bible study through Galatians on three separate occasions.
- Music: Serving through special music ministry and local fellowship.
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Opening Season
The 2026 Cruise Calls Are Underway
While the structural terminal delays altered our original geographic timeline, the port calls have moved forward dynamically as regional traffic shifts into active routes:
| Vessel / Port Location |
Arrival Date |
Traffic Status |
| Whittier Port Calls |
April 28 |
Active & ongoing |
| Anchorage Port Calls |
May 8 |
Active & ongoing |
| Silver Moon |
May 14 |
Diverted to Whittier |
| Celebrity Summit |
May 15 |
Diverted to Whittier |
| Viking Venus |
May 20 |
Diverted to Whittier |
| Ovation of the Seas |
May 22 |
Diverted to Whittier |
As detailed above, all scheduled cruise arrivals for the latter half of May are currently being successfully absorbed by Whittier. We are immensely thankful to the Lord for giving us the logistical flexibility and local support frameworks to adapt quickly to these fluid terminal changes without losing precious outreach opportunities.
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⚓ Harbor Lexicon
Ship vs. Boat
A Ship: A large vessel capable of carrying smaller boats.
A Boat: A smaller vessel with limited capacity.
This distinction provides a powerful spiritual reminder. The Christian life was never designed to be carried in our own strength. Christ sustains and carries us; we rely entirely on Him, not self-effort. Faithfulness is measured by dependence, not size.
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Volunteer Spotlight
The Ministry of Hospitality
Simple acts of kindness quickly become bridges for meaningful spiritual conversations. Fresh cookies, hot coffee, reliable port transportation, a warm greeting, and high-speed internet access open doors for the gospel with crew members spending months away from home and family.
📋 Lessons from the Gangway: Jeanette’s Insights
• Workers, Not Tourists: Crew members are tired, time-pressed workers trying to rest, shop, eat, call home, and prepare for their next intense shift.
• Programs vs. Hospitality: Relational hospitality opens doors that rigid programs cannot. A warm welcome or a quiet place to sit down forms a clear bridge to Christ.
• Timing Matters: A few intentional minutes at the right moment can prove significantly more fruitful than forcing a long conversation at the wrong one.
• Read the Room: Some crew members are rushing or working. We must read their immediate situation and offer unconditional kindness without delay.
• Practical Care Builds Trust: Handing over Wi-Fi coordinates, handling local packages, or facilitating rides clearly communicates: "You are seen, and you matter."
• Every Vessel is Unique: Crew flows, shore leaves, nationalities, and interior schedules vary sharply from ship to ship.
• A True Home Away From Home: ACMS functions as a sanctuary where seafarers can breathe, belong, and feel deeply loved in Christ’s name.
• Focus on the One: We may not reach the entire ship, but we can profoundly impact the one right in front of us through intentional, individual prayer.
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🙏 Please Pray With Us
• Laborers & Evangelists: Provision of additional volunteers, specifically spiritually grounded evangelists.
• Team Unity: Deep, abiding spiritual unity, protection, and shared vision among our volunteer teams across all active docks.
• Logistics: Wisdom regarding changing port transportation pathways and regional housing details.
• Open Doors: Smooth opportunities for clear, organic gospel conversations on the gangways.
• Endurance: Continued health, physical protection, and grace for our family during this adjustment season.
• Hearts: Receptive, open hearts among international crew members visiting our mission spaces.
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