Surf For Life

A Vision for Surf Ministry

By Robert Scott

What spiritual gifts do I possess that I use for God’s will in my life?

I have the gift of exhortation and the gift of teaching. The most passionate part of my life and ministry is teaching from the Bible, the Truth of Jesus Christ. I have a heart that breaks for teens as well as surf cultures that need Christ.

What is God’s calling on my life?

To know Him and to make Him known. Specifically, to teach Truth from His Word and share what Christ has done in my life to a generation of teens who need Him. From the moment I became a new creation and started walking with the Lord, Jesus started using me to take kids surfing. The Lord gave me the opportunity to share that passion for Him and the love of surfing with teens. Since being in Germany the Lord has shown me that He has called me to continue in that expression of love for kids who are interested in surfing. I hope and pray that through my life teens will know that God loves them. I pray that as I share truth that they will develop a hunger and thirst for God and that eventually they will become a part of God’s family. I believe that everyone can come to the cross, and God has called me to lead them there.

What is the mission behind surf ministry?

That every surfer can trust in the Lord and follow after Him!

Why does surf ministry exist?

Surf ministry exists so that the love of Christ and the Truth of His Word can be shared with a global surf culture.

What does surf ministry look like?

Surf ministry is Christ-centered relational ministry aimed at reaching out to people who share a passion for surfing, the ocean and spiritually empty surf cultures around the world. Surf ministry would be a mixture of discipleship for believers who want to go deeper with Christ and outreach to those who have never heard of Christ. This is an opportunity for teens to hear His Good News through the common ground of surfing.

How is surf ministry accomplished?

· By teaching students how to surf and how to live.

· Through bible studies with surfers on and off the beach.

· Through service projects (beach clean ups, mission trips, etc.).

· Through prayer gatherings at local surf spots to pray for the local surf culture.

· Through movie nights featuring Walking on Water Films.

· Through BIG events such as a Surf Camp.

· By educating young surfers on what God is doing in this world through surf ministry.

· By encouraging students to follow Christ and reach out to cultures all around the world that need truth.

Why movie nights and what movies?

Walking on Water Films share the love of Christ with those who love surfing. These movies are visually stunning and extremely impactful spiritually. I’d encourage anyone who has never seen a Walking on Water film to see one.

What are people saying about these movies?

· "Christians are uniting within the surf culture, and, with a stronger voice, are spreading the gospel.” - Christian Examiner on Walking On Water

· "Filmmakers guide surfers to faith." - Los Angeles Times on Walking On Water

Movie Nights would include titles such as:

· Noah’s Arc – The story and testimony of Noah Snyder. A pro surfer who, at the top of his career met Christ and his life has never been the same. His testimony is so powerful and many people have been introduced to Jesus through this film.

· Heart of a Soul Surfer - This is the story of a young girl named Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack when she was 13 years old. The story chronicles the way that the Lord has turned this tragedy into an opportunity and how God can use all things for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

· Walking On Water (The Movie) – This is the story of two young surfers that were given the opportunity to travel the world in search of the best waves and in search of what lies beyond their local break. They experienced different cultures and how Christ is pursuing the people that live around the world.

· Just Stop and Think – This is an amazing proclamation of the Gospel. In this film Francis Chan shares, from his heart, the amazing truth that Jesus Christ died for us so that we could have a relationship with Him. This film is not a WOW movie but it is well suited to share with surf culture and with teens.

What is God doing in this world through surf ministry organizations?

Some of the many organizations reaching out to surf culture include:

Christian Surfers (www.christiansurfers.com) – CS is probably the largest organization in the world with an intentional focus on surf ministry. Christian Surfers are stirring surfers to respond to God's call to move from Apathy to Awareness to Action. They are God Led & Surfer Focused.

Surfing the Nations (www.surfingthenations.com) - Surfing The Nations impacts local and international communities through the sport of surfing and selfless service by meeting needs and changing lives. With a focus on the 10/40 Window STNs is taking Christ to unreached people groups on the shores of continents all around the world.

YWAM Waves (http://www.ywamwaves.com/ministries.ministries_SFMI.ews) - SFMI is a ministry of YWAM dedicated to presenting the gospel to the least evangelized through surfing. They aim to use surfing as a means for missions to nations where an exploding surf culture coincides with the poor and least reached of our world.

Walking On Water (www.walkingonwater.org) – They are currently sharing Christ through surf films and missions all around the world. WOW also are known for having some of the most amazing Christian surf camps where teens get the opportunity to learn to surf with pro surfers who have given their lives to Christ.

BIG DREAMS –

• It is my vision and burden that I will continue to reach out to teens who surf, desire to surf and just love the ocean. It is my dream to actively engage surf culture and those communities around surf spots with the Truth and love of Christ.

• It is my dream that in the future… I would have a part in creating a surf camp for teens that teaches them to ride waves and fall in love with Christ. This camp would have an “all in” focus that we as young Christian surfers would lay down our lives for the Truth and make Jesus famous throughout the world.

• It is my dream to be a part of a mission trip for teens that would travel to a destination with good waves and broken people. On a trip like this teens would see the need for Christ in spiritually poor places and I pray it would be an eye-opening experience for both the surfers and the cultures we visit.
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• My ultimate goal through surf ministry is that the people I teach and share life with would see that there is more to life than surfing. Surfing is just the vehicle to deliver the message. I want them to know that there is a big world out there, full of people that Jesus died for. I want them to know that everyone can come to the cross.