Welcome to our new Chaplain, Rev Simon Pei, whose mix of real world and pastoral experience have helped him to swiftly transition into his new role providing hope, wisdom and practical frontline support to seafarers.
Rev Simon has quality experience walking alongside people from a wide range of cultures and life stages.
His many years serving Chinese-speaking congregations in Sydney with his Mandarin, Cantonese and Henan dialect skills, are also a valuable asset to our Mission, as seafarers native in those languages usually speak only very limited English. Before moving into ministry, he worked in architectural design for 20 years including running his own businesses in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, mainland China, so he also brings valuable organisational, project management and design skills to our small team.
His position continues to be funded by the Port Authority of NSW and NSW Ports through the NSW Seafarer Welfare Fund (SWF). Since the vast majority of our face-to-face care is delivered by our Chaplains, this grant has once again provided a highly practical way to help us reach more of the 400,000 seafarers who arrive in Sydney each year.
He said as a father of four, he enjoys listening to seafarers talk about their families and he especially appreciates the opportunity to pray with those who are facing tough issues from home when invited to do so.
Rev Simon said he became an architect because he enjoyed building beautiful places – and he moved into ministry because it meant he could work to build beautiful, meaningful lives.
“I’ve spent much of my life working with people who are far from home or navigating unfamiliar environments. Seafarers face this every day,“ he said. From his first ship visit, Simon’s warmth and ability to build trust were immediately evident. “Every vessel is its own small world … It’s a such privilege to find out what each crew has experienced, what pressures they’re carrying and how I can help,” he said.
Crew from different provinces and regions of China in particular rarely meet Chaplains who can understand their language and their cultural references, so when he gives them a beanie and thanks them for their work in their own language, they burst into smiles. “They rarely experience simple appreciation for hard work – it’s just what’s expected,” he said.
Outside ministry, Simon enjoys travelling, kayaking and hiking – all of which he says help him stay grounded and ready for the unexpected challenges of Chaplaincy. He has already earned his bus licence and is unfazed by Sydney traffic. “Simple acts of service create the space for real conversation,” he said.
Our CEO Clayton Strong warmly welcomed Rev Simon to the team. “He carries the kind of practical mindset and calm, considered care, that seafarers instinctively respond to,” he said. “His warmth, caring personality, and clear passion to help others, have already proven to be a great asset to our small, dedicated team.”
The NSW SWF was established to care for the often invisible workforce that keeps NSW supplied – seafarers who frequently arrive carrying the stresses of isolation, fatigue, tough working conditions and months away from home. Through the Fund, the Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and the Port of Newcastle are providing a genuine lifeline to seafarers by strengthening the welfare organisations who support them year-round. We are proud to call them our partners in serving seafarers.
Rev Simon is a Justice of the Peace and continues to volunteer in Sydney’s Chinese Christian community, including serving as Treasurer for the Sydney Chinese Christian Churches Association Mandarin Ministry and as CEO of Perspectives Australia (Chinese) Inc.
