Jeff Willard, who is 61, lives in Galveston. Since 2021 he has been the port chaplain at the Galveston Seafarers Center, a nondenominational ministry that serves those who work at sea.I’ve been working full-time for the Catholic Church for around thirty years in different positions. When this job became available I jumped on it. Around 90 percent of the crew members who come through the doors are not Christian—they’re Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or something else. Whatever their religion is, I want to do anything that can draw them closer to their faith. Some seafarers centers are in your face about trying to convert people. I just don’t think that’s a proper thing to do.Willard outside the Galveston Seafarers Center.Photograph by Brian GoldmanThe cruise industry has gotten…
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