Christian
United States
Vol. III Winter/Spring 2023
STAYING IN THE
POCKET www.christiansurfers.com | 1
In this issue
IN THE POCKET 3 REGIONS 4
Hawaii 5 West Coast 8 Mid Atlantic 12 Gulf 14 Southeast Coast and Florida 16 Meet our Team 30
LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR
STAYING IN THE POCKET NATIONAL DIRECTOR, DAVID NEHRIG
I just got one of the best barrels at my local beach break. It was a combo swell, the wind was right, the tide was
GLS 20
right, and my positioning was perfect. I stood up, grabbed my rail, committed my line, and pulled in. My son and
CSALT 21
pulled out to hunt down another one.
CS GIRLS
In my mind everything was perfect. I was right in the power source, rode the whole wave in the pocket, and was
22
MISSION 25
a couple of buddies were on the beach and saw the whole thing. I pulled out, stood tall, gave it a quick claim, and
so stoked. It felt so good to get that wave, as this is one of the most exhilarating things every surfer dreams about and will go to extreme lengths to experience. The funny part of this whole story was a couple of days later my friend sent me a video that got posted of the morning surf from that day. My wave was captured from start to finish on youtube. I must have replayed that wave 20 times in my mind and with my friends before actually seeing it up close. I was very disappointed in how it looked on video compared to what it felt like to me… I did not get as barrelled as I thought I did. The fact of the matter is I still long to get into that same position again, riding a wave in that critical spot, right where all the power is and feeling the rush of being covered by the lip. As the Christian Surfers staff prayed and discussed some goals and dreams for 2023, we landed on this beautiful picture of riding a wave and staying in the pocket for as long as we can. As followers of Jesus, remaining in the love of Jesus is the real dream and the best place to be, the true power source, every moment of every day all year long. So please join us in 2023 as we challenge ourselves to remain in Him. John records Jesus' words in chapter 15 verse 9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” Christian Surfers Family, thank you so much for all your prayers and support! Let's join together and pray for the volunteers (the backbone of the ministry), the chapters, the staff, the CS board, and the millions of unreached surfers. May we ‘stay in the pocket’, remaining in that critical part of the wave but most importantly remain in the Father’s love all year long. In His Love, David Nehrig, National Director CSUS
cover photo: Ernst Ohlhoff
2 | CSUS
photo: Solveig Jobbins
editing, art, and design: Mary Gordon Kerr project management: Leason Dancaescu, Kim Hitchcock
surf photo: Ernst Ohlhoff family photo: Cherish Marsh
www.christiansurfers.com | 3
CSUS REGIONS
Christian Surfers United States is currently organized into five different regions across the U.S., each with a Regional Director who lives in that region, but who reports to the National Director in Huntington Beach, California.
North Shore, Oahu, HI South Shore, Oahu, HI
Cardiff, CA Carlsbad, CA Huntington Beach, CA La Jolla, CA Oceanside, CA Pacific Beach, CA
San Clemente, CA Santa Cruz, CA South Bay, CA San Francisco, CA Ventura, CA
Carolina Beach, NC Crystal Coast (Atlantic Beach), NC Long Beach, NY Manasquan, NJ Myrtle Beach, SC
Outer Banks, NC Surf City, NC Virgina Beach, VA Wrightville, NC
Regional Coordinator
larry’s stoke report The Hawai’i region continues to make an impact in the beautiful Aloha State, where the birthplace of surfing reaches new levels. People come from around the world to surf these proving grounds. It is like being on the mission field except instead of going somewhere, we get plenty of opportunities to share Jesus with people who come here to see if they have what it takes to surf big waves. We have come to realize that one chapter on the North Shore isn’t enough. We need a chapter at every surf break. We need passionate people who are passionate about Jesus to introduce Him to lost souls. It’s been said that 8 out of every 10 people in Hawai’i are surfers, with a wide variety of experience and wave riding boards used, and all of them need to be given the opportunity to know and follow Jesus. As we continue to serve our surf community into the Kingdom, we need more workers for the harvest. We have strengthened our partnership with local organizations that are making a difference like One More Wave and Access Surf. Leading this effort on the North Shore is Evan Moon, and on the South Shore is Buster Suzuki. Looking toward the future, we can’t wait to reach out to more surfers on other shorelines and other islands. Ahui Hou Kākou!!!
Pensacola, FL * New Region in 2021 with more new chapters now forming
Charleston, SC Daytona Beach, FL Jacksonville, FL Jupiter, FL
New Smyrna Beach, FL Orlando, FL St. Augustine, FL photo: Maddie Malmsten
4 | CSUS
background photo: Leason Dancaescu
www.christiansurfers.com | 5
WAVES of IMPACT
Waves from the South Shore
by Larry Garrett and Buster Kawasaki
From Down Under to the North Shore My name is Kyal Moore and I am from the South Coast of New South Wales (NSW) Australia. My chapter is Christian Surfers Wollongong. In 2022 I was heading to the North Shore of Oahu to connect with my friend Larry Garrett who leads CS North Shore. One day whilst in prayer driving my car I felt a very strong vision and voice instructing me to call the North Shore Lifeguard Association about delivering a course on water safety awareness and first aid to the CS North Shore youth chapter and friends that is headed by Larry. It was a very random calling, since I was on the other side of the Pacific, but in good faith I made contact. Jason Bitzer, a North Shore lifeguard and head of a non-profit called “Never Off Duty”, facilitated the event. When I spoke to Jason he was stoked to have the opportunity to assist CS North Shore with some first aid training and water rescue awareness. Jason even said, “I’ve always wanted to do something with Christian Surfers”. I made contact with Larry and explained the vision God presented and he was stoked to team up and see this through together. From here on, everything fell into place. Larry recruited kids for the event and worked out the logistics. I pledged to Larry to raise the funds and pay for all the children who would attend the event. Our goal was to raise $1800US with a surfboard raffle, but we succeeded in raising nearly $4000, praise God. This was enough to pay for the event and to sponsor even more local youth to partake in life saving training. No matter where in the world you are, believe me, God can anoint and use you to impact the lives of others positively… if you answer the call!
Our South Shore Chapter has been an important part of the Christian Surfers Hawaii Region. Buster Kawasaki, who comes to us from the world of adaptive surfing and is ranked 4th in the world, is now heading up our South Shore chapter and has been leading our efforts to build partnerships between CS and organizations like Access Surf and One More Wave. Through organizations like these, Buster gets to live out his passion of surfing and sharing the gospel of Jesus with those in the water. It made perfect sense that he joined our team. In his own words, he shares with us what it took for him to become CS Hawaii’s South Shore chapter leader:
and now I’m the leader of CS South Shore Chapter. I’m a believer because when I was surfing once in Maui, things got out of control and I was panicking. God told me to relax and He carried me to safety. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 ESV
I am Buster Kawasaki. I’m located in Kapolei, Hawaii and I'm with the South Shore Chapter. God has a plan for me, so I started a Surf Ministry at Rock Church Oahu, led by Pastor Mark Richardson. Through prayer and guidance, God connected me to Pastor Larry Garrett and Christian Surfers. They saw a need for a South Shore Chapter, so my surf ministry partnered with CS,
“God told me to relax and He carried me to safety.” ~Buster Kawasaki
background photo: Leason Dancaescu
6 | CSUS
www.christiansurfers.com | 7
WAVES of IMPACT
Regional Coordinator
Going Deep in the Dominican Republic by Riley Malmsten, Santa Barbara Chapter
Cheyne’s stoke report
This year's trip to the Dominican Republic was one I will never forget. Although we have all heard that "God works in mysterious ways," it
This year was a very unifying year for the West Coast Region. The chapters are truly starting to feel connected, working together as a true family on mission. One particular standout event was Foundations Training. We took twelve young adults, all from different CS chapters on the west coast and one from the east coast, 14 hours into Mexico on an adventure training trip. It was a trip designed for those who wanted to step into the next level of leadership. It couldn't have gone better. It was a deeply encouraging and empowering time. We all learned so much together and had the privilege to return to our chapters and breathe fresh vision and excitement for the future of our local leadership teams. I am ecstatic in anxious anticipation of what God is doing and will do in the West Coast Region in time to come.
was beautiful to see God's incredible work firsthand, and I could have never predicted how radical God would work on this particular trip. On the trip, we got the privilege of working at a local boys' home, where we got to see an amazing community display God's character. God's heart was shown by how the boys were so open and welcoming to us strangers and how loving they were to one another; it was inspiring. God also displayed his work by bringing strangers from opposite sides of the country together. A group of people who had never met, became a family in as little as five days. One specific example of this was during our nightly devotions. On the first night of devotions, most trip members were cautious and quiet when speaking or being asked personal questions. The conversations started at surface level, however, we had all let down our guards by the end of the trip. Finally, everyone felt completely comfortable opening up and getting deep. God led us through some pretty impactful and powerful conversations and belly-aching laughs.
8 | CSUS
Foundations Training Crew in Mexico in 2022
photo: Maddie Malmsten
www.christiansurfers.com | 9
WAVES of IMPACT
Devos and Donuts in Santa Cruz Getting up to do anything at 5am isn't something that I would do voluntarily, that is until I grew into my spot with Christian Surfers. My name is Kennan Knowles and I am with the Santa Cruz Chapter of Christian Surfers. In July I had the opportunity to go to the Foundations training for future CS leaders in Baja California. Also, it's important to note that I hadn't before gone to a training like this or been in any leadership role in Christian Surfers. On the trip, Cheyne, the trip leader, taught us how to lead in our chapters - largely how to facilitate connection and growth within our Christian Surfers community. The time that I spent around the SoCal chapters and their connection inspired me to achieve that in my chapter. Consequently when I got back, I immediately got started in following God's call on my life to create that community in my chapter that I saw down south. This meant weekly Saturday meetings and surfing together as a chapter! Now it has been 2 months later and the weekly surfs and meetings for devos+donuts are going strong, and we have had increased attendance and volunteering in our chapter. The power of consistency has inspired me to keep going and God's support has been evident the entire time.
west coast campout photo: Rey Lambert 10 | CSUS
photos: Solveig Jobbins
www.christiansurfers.com | 11
WAVES of IMPACT
Reaching Out in Virginia Beach Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator
KYLE’s stoke report I write this after fun surf from back-to-back hurricanes, Earl and Fiona, which graced the Atlantic side of the US with great waves. I have stored fond memories of barrels barely managed and of waves that simply mangled so many stoked east coast surfers who don’t get to experience the view out of the tunnel too often. This update is also accompanied with prayers for the many folks in Puerto Rico and Florida whose lives have been devastated by Fiona and Ian. As I type this, the outer bands of Ian are dropping heavy rain on us here in Wilmington, NC. Being a new staff member brings a sense of excitement as I get to reach out to the chapters in my region and learn from them. I am pumped to be around such an energized tribe! From the newest chapter in Myrtle Beach, SC, led by Phil Dixon, to the veteran chapter in Surf City, NC, led by Jordan Guy, to the young and growing chapter led by Alex Roback at Wrightsville Beach, NC, there is a sweet desire to get the gospel out to surfers at each local break. As of this writing, the Outer Banks chapter, led by Casey Cruciano, is getting ready to host the always epic East Coast Campout. Ron Heider of the Virginia Beach chapter is crushing it with service opportunities like “Life Rolls On” which provides wave riding for those with physical limitations. As we look ahead to the next few years of growth, I am honored to serve on the team and humbled to use an earthly love like surfing for eternal purposes founded in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
by Ron Heider, Chapter Leadership Team CS Va Beach
2022 proved to be a real turning point for the Virginia Beach Chapter. Lots of new faces, countless connections being made (on and off the beach), and a team that’s focused on the 3 “pillars” of CS - service, outreach & discipleship. When it comes to outreach - we continued our friendship with a group of young men from Teen Challenge. Throughout the summer, we’d host them at the beach, spend a lot of time in the water, and wrap up the day with a time of devotions & prayer. We also discovered that when you show up for dawn patrol with coffee and donuts, but take time for devotions and prayer before paddling out, people are going to take notice. Many mornings ended up without a paddle out at all - with the conversations & prayer taking a more important place. We got involved with two service projects, both working with people with special needs. The first was Life Rolls On - a surf event that takes people with spinal cord injuries and puts them on a surfboard. We then set our sights on the Capernaum Surf Camp which is hosted by Young Life. This event takes kids & young adults with autism or down syndrome and gets them in the water. And the final pillar - discipleship. Not counting our time of prayer & devotions before our paddle-outs, we’ve launched three separate opportunities for deeper Bible studies. We now offer a womens, mens, and a group wide non-beach meetup and Bible study. The Virginia Beach crew is looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2023.
Community at Work in Surf City
background 12 | CSUS photo: Jeremiah Martin
by Bryan Malnburg, Surf City, N.C.
My name is Bryan Malnburg and I'm located at the Surf City, NC Chapter of CS. I'm a retired Marine Veteran, currently in rehabilitation for a back injury. My doctor recommended surfing as a low impact exercise to work on mobility. Not knowing anyone in the area who surfed made it difficult to learn, mainly due to anxiety and never surfing before. I met Jordan, Nathan, and Joel through a CS chapter event near the Surf City Pier in North Carolina. They have taken me under their wings and have shown me a new, safe, and friendly activity that is fun and tight-knit like a family. Now I look forward to surfing rather than being afraid of trying something new. It has helped me in many ways, from being shy to opening up and feeling alive again. Now, I reach out to new people and tell them to join us! www.christiansurfers.com | 13
WAVES of IMPACT
Regional Coordinator
Leason’s stoke report T
his past year has been an epic time of growth, community service, mission trips, and outreach along the Gulf Coast. From sharing a gospel message at surf contests to beach clean ups and surf outreach, the Lord has been at work through the surfers of the Gulf Coast to reach the beaches! Team members from the Gulf Coast participated in serving at the Waterboyz Winter Classic surf contest, Autism Surfs, and International Coastal Cleanup day, among many other outreach events and service opportunities.
Coming Together for a Purpose
This year, the Gulf Coast had representatives on surf and serve mission trips to Panama, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, as well as both regional campouts in the Outer Banks and Baja. These trips helped to encourage these individuals to go deeper in their faith and grow them in their leadership potential.
I love El Salvador so much that the guy at Customs told me so. “You love our country, huh?” I am from Pensacola, Florida, and for almost two decades, my hometown churches and Christian Surfers chapter have had the opportunity to make an impact on the beach communities in El Salvador. Relationships formed close to twenty years ago by Ken Griffin and Dr. Buck Waters have given us the opportunity to serve the Salvadoran beach communities not only through outreach and construction projects but; more importantly, through support of local ministry partners like La Red and Christian Surfers El Salvador who are on the ground day in day out spreading the Gospel to the surfers.
It has also been a busy season of forming relationships and uplifting new leaders and communities along the Gulf to launch new chapters. Relationships with churches and individuals have been forged and continue to be built in Alabama, Texas, and along the Florida Gulf Coast, with these areas being identified as areas of need for CS chapters. Please continue to pray for CS Gulf Coast to stay “in the pocket”, to align ourselves with God's perfect will and timing, to bring up new leaders that are fired up on sharing the gospel in these new communities. Yewwww! 14 | CSUS
by Chase Griffin, CS Pensacola
During our time this year, we were able to help local partners and teach surf lessons on brand new soft tops with old friends and new. Christian Surfers and Groundswell Aid’s Sharing Waves Outreach, touches the souls of people around the world. Surfing is so special for this very reason. The kids had first class lessons lead by Marcelo Castellanos, a dear friend since 2006, and future number one woman surfer of Sweden and new friend, Maria Allebring. The opportunities God gives His people show how big He is. When multiple groups come together for a purpose, God's purpose, great things happen and love is displayed. Jesus touches the souls of everyone involved whether they know it or not. I am tearing up writing this, because I am so thankful for Christian Surfers, Fundación La Red, Groundswell Aid, Surfers on Mission, Puro Surf, Upper Room Church Pensacola Beach, and my family. Their willingness to give and serve brings life giving community into a big scary world. photos: Leason Dancaescu
www.christiansurfers.com | 15
WAVES of IMPACT Regional Coordinator
Jacob’s stoke report
This year has been an amazing season in the southeast region of Christian Surfers. We have seen God move in our beach communities in Florida which poured out to other parts of the world! God has used our chapters through community outreach, surf contest service, beach nights, skate nights, Bible studies and mission trips. Here are some of the major highlights from this year! We saw ‘Surf and Serve’ mission trips to the Dominican Republic (DR), Nicaragua and El Salvador all launched out of the region. The DR Surf and Serve team was made up of people from Florida and California and continued CSUS’s longest running mission trip working with Ninos de la Luz, a boy’s home located on the north coast of the island. Next was Nicaragua, our first all-girls trip, which was led in part by Jacksonville’s own Colbi King, a new staff member and CS Girls East Coast Coordinator. The team served alongside JJ Yema and his wife partnering with their ministry in the area around Popoyo. Finally, El Salvador was the first partnership trip between CS St. Augustine and Colonial church. The church team worked hand in hand with CS El Salvador and their partnering church, We Are Heaven. The last major event of the year was the East Coast Campout held in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This year’s campout was the largest one yet, with over 100 people signing up. Over the long weekend we had time to surf and explore the Outer Banks, worship together and hear from speakers on the 3 main focuses of CS at the chapter level. The weather was perfect, and although the surf didn’t cooperate, that didn’t stop a classic CS super session from going down Sunday after church. It is always an amazing time gathering the CS family and spending time in the water, around the fire worshiping and praying for one another.
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Travel Log with a Purpose
by Paddy Lamb
Hi, my name is Paddy and I am part of the St. Augustine chapter of Christian Surfers, and new to the leadership team. I’ve been coming to CS for two years and in the last year started becoming more active outside the local chapter. My favorite part of CS is the community! I love that it feels like my second family that I can go to in a time of need. An additional part of CS I love is participating in the Surf and Serve mission trips. I was able to go on three different trips this year to the Dominican Republic, Panama, and El Salvador. One of my favorite memories from those trips is from doing homeless outreach with Heaven Church in El Salvador. I really enjoyed praying with people in the city park and learning their stories. Another great memory is from the Dominican Republic, where we spent the week working on a project at Ninos de la Luz, a local boys’ home. One day we got to take the kids out for a surf. The kid I was with in the water didn’t speak English and the only Spanish I knew was “aqui”, or “here”. After surfing for a little while, the kids gave us their boards and told us to go surf so they could watch. It was super fun getting to see them cheer us on the same way we had been cheering for them when they were surfing. It really felt like we were connecting even though we didn’t speak the same language. A third noteworthy memory is from our trip to Panama. On that trip, we spent the week putting in a new concrete floor for a family’s home in the community, and we got to spend time hanging out with the locals. I am especially thankful for time spent with my friend, Juanpi. God has used these surf mission trips to make me more grateful for what I have and also to grow my faith. Getting to see Him work in these communities has caused my own faith to grow. My time with my CS family has also resulted in my feeling more confident in my faith, and I am excited that God is starting to grow me as a leader at home in Florida.
photos: Leason Dancaescu
www.christiansurfers.com | 17
EAST coast Christian Surfers Introduced Me to a Relationship with Christ WAVES of IMPACT
by Kali Wiley, Jax Beach Chapter In August 2021, I moved to Jacksonville Beach with a basically non-existent relationship with God. My Christian Surfers journey started when I met Joe. He went to church in middle school with Michael. Michael and his wife Colbi run the CS Jax chapter. Joe didn’t have a relationship with God yet, but upon running into his old friend and seeing the overflowing joy and love Colbi and Michael shared, he decided to give CS a try.
campout
Joe and I started attending CS meetings together and began dating shortly after. We feel so grateful that God has brought us together to support each other and grow in our faith. Through CS, I have also been blessed to be introduced to a group of girls I get to do Bible study with every Tuesday. I also got the opportunity to go on the all-girls Surf and Serve to Nicaragua this past summer. Over the last year, I had a huge change of heart and felt the Lord urging me towards becoming a teacher. This wasn’t something I had planned, but once I let God into my life - He changed everything. Every morning I pray over my students and thank God for all he has done in my life.
photos: Leason Dancaescu
18 | CSUS
www.christiansurfers.com | 19
GLS
Global Leadership Summit
GLS photos: Solveig Jobbins
by David Nehrig, CS US National Director The Christian Surfers International Global Leadership Summit “GLS” was hosted this year by CS US. We got to have Christian Surfer leaders from all over the world join us in California to discuss where we are currently and where God is moving the ministry in the years ahead. This was the first time in several years that leaders from around the globe had been together in person. Through our times of fellowship, we were able to cul-
tivate our relationships with God and with each other. We shared many great meals together, spent time praying for lost surfers, heard from many amazing speakers and returned to our respective homes refreshed, rejuvenated and so stoked to carry out the mission God has placed in our hearts. Our charge is to stay connected to God and each other, all around the world, as we go back to our line ups proclaiming Jesus to lost surfers.
C S A LT
Christian Surfers Advanced Leadership Training
by Travis Curie This past year of my walk with the Lord has truly been an adventure - with growth, new connections, and learning how to rely on the Lord in ministry and in life. At the beginning of this year, I found myself at a place where I started experiencing healing over some really hard mental health battles and I wanted to dive deeper into my relationship with God. I began to pray over what and where the Lord wanted me. After hearing about the CSALT program, I knew that was an answer to my prayer. After reaching out to Kyle Sullivan and having a couple of phone conversations with him, I was only more affirmed in that choice. When I arrived in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, to begin with CSALT, I was welcomed and greeted by the Sullivans, who opened up their home and showed me a hospitality that was genuinely encouraging. After a restful weekend transition to what would be my new home for the next month, it was time to jump into the swing of things. My daily schedule started with serving as a summer surf camp counselor
and instructor in the morning, followed by lunch and a brief siesta period (sometimes I would sneak in a surf session). Then Kyle and I would meet and go through Proverbs together and also break down what it looks like to be a good reflection of Christ in my local surf community. Something notable to me was the warm welcome I received into the Christian community in the Wrightsville Beach area. It was so encouraging spiritually to take part in a local college age gathering, surf church, and to spend time with Kyle as well! Seeing the way the Lord orchestrated my time there was so rad to watch take place! Some highlights included being able to share the gospel with the kids at surf camp, making connections and engaging in divine appointments on the beach, and giving a message at surf church! I’m so thankful for Christian Surfers, The CSALT program, Kyle and his family, and the local community for allowing such a sick opportunity to really see the Lord grow me and use me!
CSALT is a month-long discipleship and leadership training program designed to help train up the next generation of CS leaders. 20 | CSUS
background photo Leason Dancaescu
photo: Leason Dancaescu
www.christiansurfers.com | 21
C S G IStokeR Report L SEast
Stoke Report West
Nina Coons, West Coast Regional Girls Coordinator
Colbi King Prickett, East Coast Regional Girls Coordinator
Christian Surfers Girls is here to provide a space
From traveling to Nicaragua for Christian Surfers’
where girls can feel encouraged in their faith and inspired to pursue adventure confidently, all while making friends that will last for eternity. Our hope is for every chapter to have a strong community of women leaders who bond over their love for the ocean, and more importantly, their love for Jesus. Our goal is to provide opportunities for women to connect through chapter gatherings, Bible studies, camping trips, and events.
first all-girls Surf and Serve to sponsoring Sisters of the Sea, the longest running all female surf contest in the country, this year was fueled with girl power. As a first year staff member, I’m beyond stoked about the female discipleship and leadership that’s happening along both of our coasts. I’m excited as we move towards bridging the West & East Coasts together for this move of female empowerment in ministry and encouragement of one another in our relationships with Christ.
Photos by Maddie Malmsten
22 | CSUS
background photo: Leason Dancoescu
God Answered My Prayer for a Surf Tribe
by Terra Gillman One of my biggest prayers at the start of college was to meet girls who surfed. Little did I know, this prayer would be answered not just at school, but back at home too. My summer at home after my first year of school, I met some girls from Christian Surfers Carlsbad at a random surf event. They were so quick to invite me to come hang and surf with them and I instantly felt welcomed into their circle. At the time, I had no idea that I would move back home after college and these girls would become some of my closest friends. Through these friendships I have seen the joy that comes from
living simple lives for the Lord together. They have shown me how to charge both in and out of the water for Jesus and they have encouraged me in my surfing abilities as well. It was hard growing up as a girl to feel the confidence to surf alone, so it has made all the difference having a crew to go with that pushes you even if you’re having a pretty rough session. Overall, I am just very thankful for the girls of CS and getting to meet more and more of the girls from all over the coast these past few years. CS Girls truly is a family and I’m just so glad I get to be part of it and do life alongside these women! Yewww! www.christiansurfers.com | 23
CS Girls at Global Leadership Summit
by Colbi King Prickett
The number of women in surfing has grown exponentially in recent years, so why not devote a whole day during the International Leadership summit to women? The Global Leadership Summit Women’s Day was kicked off with a panel of four women from around the world who are helping lead a charge. Whether in the surf fashion industry, CS Surf industry or their local surf community, these are women we are thankful to have on our Christian Surfers Team and thankful to have as role models. Following the panel, there was a breakout session and a time of discussion and vulnerability. We shared what it really looks like to be “Women on Mission”. This could include everything from serving as full time missionaries to living out our mission as full time moms. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability, and the room was wrapped up in it. Afterwards, we all met up for a surf. There
24 | CSUS
were around fifteen women from around the world who paddled out together. It was a blast to be in the water together, hooting and hollering and calling each other into waves. It was so inspiring to see women leaders from all over the world who love surfing and love Jesus come together. What a joy it was to hear about and be a part of the mighty works God is doing through these women.
CSUS MISSION Our vision for Christian Surfers United States is that every surfer and every surfing community will have the opportunity to experience and follow Jesus Christ. Our method to help acheive that vision is fivefold. With our Chapters, we aim to connect, disciple and serve, while our National staff equips our chapters and partners with like-minded organizations who help us move toward realizing that vision.
Christian Surfers invites people into genuine community. Our desire is to make people feel seen and to feel a part of our community. We do this by going to where surfers are and meeting them in their world. Some of the things we do to connect with surfers are weekly gatherings, chapter events, camp outs, Girls’ Gather and Grow, surfing together, and our contest series.
Photos: Maddie Malmsten (backgroud, inset) and Solveig Jobbins (GLS, fire pit)
www.christiansurfers.com | 25
Our goal of discipleship looks like investing in intentional relationships that guide and model Jesus. In response to God’s love for us, we aim to pour into others so they can pour into others, and so on.
The CSALT Atlantic program was hosted from June 10 to July 10 in Wrightsville Beach, NC
Part of our journey as believers is learning to be selfless and to live more like Jesus. That is one way we can
reflect the love of Christ to the communities where we live and surf. We strive to be intentional about meeting the needs of our surf communities and beyond; locally, nationally, and globally. This part of our mission is tied closely to the Parnerships focus of our mission.
Santa Cruz CS Helps Host Bethany Hamilton
photos: Kim Hitchcock photo: Leason Dancaescu
Foundations Training in Mexico Focused on Going Deeper with God and Leadership Training
In an event hosted by Twin Lakes Church in Santa Cruz, California last May, CS members served as volunteers, and some of our Santa Cruz CS groms facilitated the Q&A with Bethany and her husband, Adam. Bethany also shared her documentary, called Unstoppable, and a Bible based message.
Serving is an Important Part of Our Culture Everywhere
Christian Surfers Chapters all over the United States and across the globe place a high priority on serving in the name of Christ and building connection through working alongside others. Here are just a few recent highligts. Christian Surfers took groups on Surf/Mission trips to Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic Christian Surfers St. Augustine, FL partnered with a local church on a mission to El Salvador and served at the Log Jam Surf Contest CS Hawaii partnered with One More Wave and Access Surf CS Pensacola served at AutismSurfs CS New Smyrna Beach served at the Rip Curl Grom Search
photo: Nina Coons
26 | CSUS
CS Virginia Beach volunteered with Teen Challenge, Life Rolls On Surf Day, and Young Life Capernaum Surf Day www.christiansurfers.com | 27
Christian Surfers United States recognizes the value of ministry partners and we are always developing relation-
ships with like-minded organizations we trust in areas where working together helps us and our partners achieve our visions. Our partners are mission agencies, surf industry and secular surf organizations, and surf media.
CSUS Surf and Serve trips give surfers an opportunity to serve people in countries across the globe. These trips include our partnership with One World Health, allowing CSUS to serve in surf communities in Central America. CSUS and One World Health are currently regular partners in missions in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
One important role of our National staff is to equip our chapters and provide resources and support for ministry. We aim to create opportunities and platforms that empower our chapters to advance our mission. Some of the ways we do this are foundations training, a CS handbook that helps guide chapters, weekly devotions, disciple group curriculum, CS Girls’ support, event guides, regional camp outs, mission trips, national conferences, fundraising and administrative support, and missional support and consultation. This year we added new resources on our website like a calendar of events, chapter resources, and easy access to our devotions and newsletters.
Some of our other partnerships include Groundswell Aid, Soul Survivor Outdoor, Autism Hope Alliance, ALEPH Surf, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Teen Challenge, Life Rolls On, Young Life Capernaum, Degree 33 Surfboards, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NW Florida, Truth for Youth, Milk and Honey Ministries, Homes for Hope, Youth With a Mission (YWAM), One More Wave, 808 Cleanups, Ride Nature, Filters of Hope, La Red, Ninos de la Luz, and churches and surf shops in our Chapter communities. In addition, all of our CS National Gatherings include a service element in the communities where we meet, and local chapters also serve in their local communities.
Life Rolls On in Virginia Beach
Members of our Virgina Beach Chapter of Christian Surfers recently served as volunteers for a Life Rolls On event that takes people with spinal cord injuries and gets them riding a surfboard.
Photo: Michael Pickett
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www.christiansurfers.com | 29
Check out our website at www.christiansurfers.com. we hope you’ll join us in 2023 at a local chapter, service event, campout, or surf and serve trip!
photo: Robby Fuggi
Meet our Team
(L-R,) Leason Dancaescu, Nina Coons, Maddie Malmsten, Colbi King Prickett, Jacob Galura, Larry Garrett, Cheyne Jobbins, Amy Nehrig, David Nehrig. Kim Hitchcock (inset), Kyle Sullivan (inset)
CS National Staff
CS Board of Directors
David Nehrig, National Director Amy Nehrig, National Support Staff Kim Hitchcock, National Operations Director Maddie Malmsten, Social Media Intern
Dave Milton (Board Chair) James Balderson Chad Borgestad Chandler Brownlee Forest Fisher Jesse Kamm Andy West
Regional Staff
Kyle Sullivan, Mid-Atlantic Leason Dancaescu, Gulf Nina Coons, CS Girls West Colbi King Prickett, SC Girls East Jacob Galura, Florida Larry Garrett, Hawaii Cheyne Jobbins, California 30 | CSUS
photo: Abigail Remke
Pictured L-R
photo: Ivy Scott
www.christiansurfers.com 31 photos: Solveig|Jobbins
Christian Surfers is on the front lines of a spiritual battle Reality in our communities
Where CHRISTIAN SURFERS steps in…
Drugs, violence, depression, bullying, and suicide are common in surf culture
CS models another way to live. We model John 10:10
Many surfers have never stepped inside a church
We are the bridge between the beach and the church
Surfing often promotes autonomy and individualism
We promote dependence on God and interdependence with each other
The state of the world recently has made organized activities and relationship building more difficult. Many have turned to surfing in communities where it is available.
With a surge in surfing, we offer a spiritual family to many, some who have never before experienced real community.
Thank you to all of our supporters, friends, and CS family. We need and appreciate each and every one of you.
Christian Surfers United States PO Box 879 Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (904) 274-1433 info@christiansurfers.com ChristianSurfers.com
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Photo: Leason Dancoescu