Meet Chaplain Michelle

Michelle grew up near Sarnia, Ontario. She started working at Ministry to Seafarers in 2000 and was ordained by the Christian Reformed Church as a Commissioned Pastor in 2004. Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in Cross-Cultural Studies from Kuyper College and an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary. She and her husband Don have four kids— they enjoy spending time together as a family.

What is your favorite part of your job?
“Being able to meet people from different countries and backgrounds and learn about who they are and where they’re from.”

What is the most interesting place you’ve been to? Why?
“Some of the historical places I’ve visited like Mesa Verde in Colorado. The people who lived there built their houses in the sides of the cliffs and you can still go inside some of them. Also, Uluru rock and Kata Tjuta in Australia. Even though people have lived in some of these historical places for years and consider them sacred, God created all of it and it’s all part of His grand Creation.”

What is one of your favorite foods?
“Indian food. Anything spicy!”

What is one lesson you have learned from seafarers?
“The willingness people have to make extreme sacrifices for their family. Even when things are difficult, being able to continue doing what they have to do.”