About SCFS
In Australia and beyond
The Seamen’s Christian Friend Society (SCFS) has been in Australia for over 20 years, providing a lifeline to men and women, from all nations, who work at sea. Internationally, SCFS has been doing ministry for over 170 years.
After discovering SCFS through a chance encounter with a Christian seafarer, Rob Flinders was so excited by their ministry he established the first SCFS arm in Australia in 2000.
Since then Rob has worked as a port missionary for SCFS in Port Botany for 25 years. Throughout the years others have joined SCFS and worked as missionaries in other ports. Currently, SCFS Australia has port missionaries in Port Botany, Port Kembla and Port Adelaide.
Port Botany Port Missionary Rob
Port Kembla Port Missionary Mike
The work of SCFS port missionaries
SCFS Representatives are called port missionaries, and they visit seafarers onboard their ships while they are in port with the following two main aims.
Firstly, they aim to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to non-Christian seafarers through the offer of free English and Foreign languages Bibles, Bible Study courses and other Christian literature and resources.
Secondly, they aim to provide fellowship, encouragement and resources to Christian seafarers so they too might proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to non-Christian seafarers onboard their ships, by their witness and by establishing and leading group Bible Studies while the ship is at sea.
Our Vision
To create an environment where seafarers, their families and others may freely have the opportunity to hear the word of God.
Our Heritage
Originally established in the mid-1800s in England with the name ‘The Seamen’s Christian Friend Society’, SCFS was created to "warn seafarers to flee from the wrath to come.” Now SCFS is a non-denominational organisation working in over 10 different countries to bring the good news of the gospel to seafarers, and in turn, their families.
Internationally, SCFS is now known as the ‘Seafarer’s Christian Friend Society’.