Ministry Magic Along the Backroads of Guatemala

A Story About the Ministry of James (Jim) Morgan to Seamen in Charleston, SC

Ministry Magic Along the Backroads of Guatemala

“Leave that man alone! He’s Mr. Jim’s friend.”

These words—shouted from a table in the back of a bar—were the only thing that saved Wade from a beating. Perhaps worse.

This encounter took place along a rural road in Guatemala 30 years ago.

It happened because of Jim Morgan, the director of a seamen’s ministry center in Charleston, SC.

The Seamen’s Ministry

Jim led a very fruitful ministry for several decades. Along with a small staff and many volunteers, he met the cargo ships arriving in the Charleston port to provide compassionate ministry to the seamen aboard these ships,

Their time in the port was often short. Less than a day. A few ships would be around overnight. Their cargo was unloaded. Often a new cargo was loaded on the ship as trade went both ways.

Typically, the seamen were allowed off their ship for a few hours. This is when Jim and his supporters had the best opportunity to interact with them. They would take them to their ministry center.

Feed them. Relate to them. Give them gifts such as warm woven hats provided by churches from around South Carolina. Share health kits with personal essentials for the men.

And, oh yes, a gentle presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Jim was a natural evangelist. Soft, caring, yet determined as he shared the message of salvation. He knew this was the greatest gift he offered.

Some ships made regular trips to the Charleston harbor. This was particularly true of a few ships from Guatemala.

Jim Morgan and others became friends with the seamen and developed a trusting relationship. Numerous seamen responded positively to the Good News of Jesus.

A sufficient number of men became Christians that it had an impact on Christian ministry in Guatemala. A couple of congregations were launched in Guatemala out of the ministry to seamen in Charleston.

Jim’s Trip to Guatemala

When the time came for Jim Morgan to retire, the idea arose for Jim to travel to Guatemala aboard one of the ships to visit the churches and families of the seamen. The shipping company approved this, and Jim made the trip.

The North American missions agency who helped sponsor Jim’s ministry felt this was a great opportunity for a feature news story. They send a photographer and a writer to Guatemala to document Jim’s visit.

Wade’s Encounter

It happened that Wade, the writer, needed to leave Guatemala a day earlier than the rest of the team. The only way to get back to Guatemala City and its airport was to travel in the back of a truck with other men. This was a typical taxi-type service in Guatemala.

The roads back were sufficiently rough—potholes held together by some type of paving material—that it could pass for a carnival ride.

On the way they stopped at a bar to use the bathroom—which really meant walking into the woods and finding your own spot. Then they got something to drink.

In the bar he asked for a soft drink. As one was retrieved for him, a man in the bar approached him. Although it was still morning, this man had apparently been enjoying some of the bar’s higher octane drinks. Perhaps too many.

He spoke with an angry tone as Wade was obviously not Guatemalan. The only non-Guatemalan in the bar. He started pushing Wade around.

Just as it looked like it was turning violent, a man from the back of the bar hollered in Spanish, “Leave that man alone! He’s Mr. Jim’s friend.”

To the extent he could the potential attacker acted like he was sober. Smiled. Brushed Wade off. Offered to buy him a drink. Talked about how much he liked Mr. Jim. (All in Spanish but someone interpreted for Wade.)

Imagine

The name “Mr. Jim”, who had never been to Guatemala until this trip, was magic on the back roads of Guatemala because of his ministry to seamen in Charleston.

When we welcome strangers and love them with the love of Jesus, amazing things happen.

Note: Jim Morgan died on September 4, 2024. He was more than 90 years old. We celebrate his eternal life.