On all Mercy Ships vessels, an academy is offered to all children who come to serve with their parents onboard. Kathryn Dungworth is a teacher from the UK who has been teaching onboard the Africa Mercy since 2019 and worked to set up the brand-new Academy onboard the Global Mercy. Having 2 Academies in operation will be a first for Mercy Ships.

In this episode, Kathryn shares her journey to join Mercy Ships as a volunteer teacher — an adventure she never expected! And how this unique environment for teaching has changed her life in unexpected ways. She will give us some insight into the Global Mercy Academy and share what she is most excited about for this new school. From a teacher’s perspective of life in a floating classroom, you don’t want to miss this episode.

If you’re a teacher and looking for an experience like none other – consider serving with us onboard one of our ships. Go to: www.academy.mercyships.org for all information about our academies and opportunities to serve with us.

Jim Paterson is a Marine Engineer from Scotland and currently serves as Marine Executive Consultant for Mercy Ships.  Jim has served the organization for almost 35 years, both on and off ships, and just completed overseeing the building of the Global Mercy. 

In this episode, Jim shares about his early years with Mercy Ships and what it was like to serve on the first Mercy Ships vessel, the Anastasis, while having his wife and small children onboard at the same time. He also gives insight to the building of our new ship, the Global Mercy, and what he is most looking forward to as she sails into Africa for the first time.  

Susy Horta is an ICU nurse from Columbia.  Growing up in a missionary family, Susy always wanted to go serve where there was the most need—that’s how she ended up volunteering in West Africa with Mercy Ships. 

Having just celebrated her fourth year onboard, Susy shares with us some of the gifts she has been able to give patients over the years, as well as some gifts her patients have given her… or tried to! Listen in to hear about one gift that Susy just couldn’t accept!

Dr. Brian Barki is an anesthesiologist from Oklahoma who took his wife and three children to live onboard the Africa Mercy for four years. During his time of volunteering, Brian met some incredible patients that left a mark on his life. From taking Funky Scrubs Friday to the next level, to learning card tricks to help lighten the mood of nervous patients, Brian gave the gifts of friendship, laughter and life during his time onboard. 

In this episode Brian shares powerful stories of walking alongside a patient through their final days, celebrating an unforgettable Christmas with his mother onboard, and many more moments that will uplift you.

Kelly Denning is a nurse from Australia who has served 3 field services onboard the Africa Mercy. On the ship, Kelly loves to share her passion for music with the crew, but it is what she shares in the wards that has transformed lives. In this episode, Kelly shares about the privilege of giving patients the gifts of touch, love and value. 

From a woman who hid in the bush for 30 years alone, to a grandmother who feared losing her granddaughter, Kelly shares how she and the nurses and doctors onboard offer gifts of hope to people in desperate need. 

What does it mean to live a life of radical generosity? To give away more than you keep? On today’s episode, Raeanne Newquist spoke with Ed and Sherri Torres, Mercy Ships partner donors, and was challenged by their life’s purpose that is all about blessing others.

When Ed and Sherri, a couple from Indiana, found out that their financial situation was about to significantly change, they started to discuss what they might do with the extra money. This took them on a 17-month journey of long conversations, researching organizations, learning from others who have intentionally given their resources and ultimately, they drafted a Family Giving Vision that helped them decide where best to invest their blessing.

This inspiring couple will challenge you to be intentional with your finances as they share their vision and principles for investing in God’s kingdom. 

When discussing the vision for the future of Mercy Ships, Don Stephens brought us back to the original vision saying, “For us, it hasn’t changed — a hospital ship serving the poor in Africa.” In this episode, we continue our conversation with Don and Deyon Stephens, founders of Mercy Ships, and get an education about hedgehogs, building a “right size” ship, and 60 Minutes. 

As we look to the future, Don encourages us all to have clarity of purpose as we live our lives – the same clarity of purpose that has kept Mercy Ships moving forward for over 40 years. 

Don and Deyon Stephens are an inspiring couple who are the founders of Mercy Ships. In this episode, Ally Jones and Raeanne Newquist sat down with them to get a little history lesson about the early days of Mercy Ships. 

How did this unique vision of putting hospitals on ships come about? 

What were some challenges that came up and how did they overcome them?

Now, over 40 years later, Don and Deyon still help guide the mission of Mercy Ships and anchor the organization in the rich history and solid vision that keep the ships on course. Through their story, you will be encouraged to dream big and inspired to follow your unique calling.

Don has authored three books: Ships of Mercy, Mandate for Mercy, and Trial by Trial.

Want more information about the New Mercies podcast? Check out newmercies.mercyships.org