NESM has 5 Core Ministries:

1. Reliable Ways to Contact Home

   When you work far from home for the sake of your family, you need to keep in as close contact as possible. NESM provides effective, honest pre-paid telephone cards for international voice communications. We also have a bank of relatively cheap cash phones for the same purpose. We keep a small internet cafe using older, donated computer equipment. We have a mailing service for small packages and letters.

2. Trustworthy Ways to Send Home Wages
   

   NESM has been reviewed and examined by state regulators. We are licensed as a money transfer agent, and we have a full MoneyGram franchise which safely and quickly makes seafarer wages available to family back home. Seafarers work at these jobs to support their families.

   One young man of less than 30 years works out on deck in the cold to put his 10 brothers and sisters through school. His little brother now attends maritime academy and will become an officer. Our Filippino deck worker has supported his family this way for eight years, with six more remaining until his baby sister graduates college. Getting his wages home safely and quickly honors his sacrifice.

3. Christian Witness and Support

   NESM serves all seafarers without distiction as to nationality, faith (or lack of faith), sex, or any other factor. We do this because God doesn't discriminate--all people everywhere are made in God's image. Surprisingly to some, non-Christians take the most comfort in our being people of faith because as seafarers, they are used to being exploited and taken advantage of. Because they know that we are bound by a higher responsibiltiy in our work here, they are willing to trust us with their livelihoods and other things of precious value.

   NESM distributes Christian Scriptures in various languages. We supply Christian education materials for those who want them. We support the lay leaders on ship who day in and day out moderate Bible Studies and hold prayer meetings. We keep a small theological library so those lay leaders may come and prepare sermons and lessons.

   We plant seeds. We trust in the Holy Spirit that in God's time, those seeds will spring to life and prosper. We cannot provide daily nurture for young Christians, so we trust that God in History will bring people of young faith to places where they will receive proper care so that they may grow strong in their belief and convictions.

4. Hospitality

   From the ever present free coffee and tea to the welcoming word and smile, NESM provides Hospitality as one of its core ministries.

   Part of our hospitality comes through the small general store where seafarers find deodorant, laundry soap, shampoo, snacks, and a few nice things to send home to loved ones far away.

5. Advocacy

   Advocacy is one of the hidden ministries of NESM. Because we endeavor to be trustworthy in smaller things such as phone cards or the general store, seafarers in need trust us in larger matters. We provide pastoral counseling and personal prayer, mediation and intervention with authorities, and we assist seafarers in whatever ways we can to their benefit.