Bethany Hamilton's UNSTOPPABLE movie in AUS cinemas 13th March

Christian Surfers Australia is partnering to bring Bethany Hamilton’s new documentary UNSTOPPABLE to over 40 cinemas in Australia.

IN CINEMAS 13 - 15 MARCH (3 Days Only)

HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

As the national promotional partner, Christian Surfers Australia will be running a grass roots awareness campaign to ensure that Bethany’s fans and the general public don’t miss this incredible chance to see her story on the big screen.

As a bonus, every ticket sold will help fundraise for Christian Surfers local missions and national movement to continue our mission in 2020.

We will soon be sending out promotional packs (posters and flyers) to be placed in surf shops, cafe’s, churches and anywhere that surfers gather. Can you help us spread the word?

*Note: More cinemas being added. If you can’t find one near you… request a promo pack and let us know your location and nearest cinema and we’ll try to bring it to you.

The soul surfer from then to now.

The story of surfer Bethany Hamilton, who at age 13 was out surfing when she was attacked by a 15-foot tiger shark, a run-in that cost Hamilton her left arm. But not only did Hamilton survive the attack, she was back on the competitive surfing circuit less than a year later. More than a decade later, Hamilton, now a mother, undertakes her greatest challenge: chasing a toddler and the biggest wave of her career. BETHANY HAMILTON: UNSTOPPABLE is the untold story of the heart of a champion and her resilience against all odds to become one of the leading professional surfers of our time. Bethany Hamilton is continuously rewriting the rules on being a fearless athlete, and brings new meaning to the phrase “surfs like a girl.”

NEW SWELL 2019 Highlights

By Jessi Muir (National Womens Coordinator)

Some would say it was winter in summer, but that’s just Victoria for you. In early December, the South-East state of Australia greeted 30 Christian Surfers from around Australia, for a week of teachings and experiences based on the Christian Surfers Australia values, led by various leaders from within CSA, who volunteer their time to come and invest into the future of Christian Surfers.

The week began with a session at the famous Bells Beach, lead by Christian Surfers Australia’s National Director, Steve Bailey, who shared on ‘The Wild Call of God’ and what it looks like to follow God in faith and obedience.

The week flowed on from there, with all the crew frothing to get amongst the quality time, the sessions, and of course, the WAVES. Early morning sessions at Winki-pop to onshore arvo grovels at Raafs, the crew made the most of all the conditions, to put to practice the challenge of being a servant surfer, and how that looks out in the line up.

Amongst the daily sessions, the week consisted of a working bee, focused on the value of being a servant leader, to clean up and re-do the unused Christian Surfers Headquarters in Torquay, with faith that the revamp will bring new life to the space.

Servant leadership is a huge part of New Swell, and creating opportunities for the students to serve one another through preparing meals, praying together, surfing like a servant in crowded line ups, and getting involved in the inevitable cleaning up, is what makes the week and the relationships so solid.

The week wrapped up in true Christian Surfers style, with an op shop themed dance party, and a time of reflection. The shared experiences throughout the week really brought everyone together, and for lots of the crew, helped them to tap into the reality of God’s family and what it means to be apart of it. Everyone who came walked away with a strong desire to pursue God more, and to get back to their local Christian Surfers missions to put into practice everything they had learnt.

Raymond Beacroft of Port Macquarie, NSW, and a former CSalt student shared some reflections from his time at New Swell.

“New Swell for me was a time where I experienced a deep sense of camaraderie, a deep sense of fellowship. The biggest things that spoke to me was that in Christ we are family, and that leadership only works if you’ve got a community involved. I learnt that leadership doesn’t just look like someone upfront at a church service sharing the Good News…but it’s an everyday choice to be authentic in who Christ made you.”

Support your Tribe - Now is the time!

Brad shares why supporting the CSA tribe means so much to him personally.

How much would you give to see a life transformed?

'So many people say surfing is like a spiritual journey, but surfers just don't know where they're journeying to.' 

That's one of the CS leadership team talking about the impact an organisation like ours can have within a culture that can be, at times, dark, meaningless and risky. 

So, how much would you give if you knew your donation would directly impact a struggling young person who had lost his way? Or if you knew it would help a young woman trying to understand her place in the world? 

How much would you give to hear the name of Jesus proclaimed on our beaches? How much would you give if you knew it would make a real difference to someone’s salvation?

Paul wrote to the Philippians: "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things."

'Without Christian Surfers, I wouldn't be where am I today, or who I am today,' Tim says. 

We're coming to the end of this year's annual Support Your Tribe campaign.. and we are already so grateful for the generous response this year. 

But there is lots to do. 

For the next 12 months, CSA has three main goals:

• VISION GAP: To grow our missions and reach new communities with the gospel.

• IMPACTFUL EVENTS: To be salt and light in our surfing communities with more influential events like Paddle Against Poverty.

• RAISING LEADERS: To raise up & equip the next generation of surf missionaries.

CSA all about seeing lives changed, and every cent we raise will go towards that end goal. 

The groms at Christian Surfers Philip Island (VIC) share what they love about being part of CS.

If you've been waiting for the right time to support CSA - that time is now!

Please give generously... and let's stand shoulder to shoulder and share the good news together. 

SUPPORT YOUR TRIBE: RAISING LEADERS

Every year at CSA's annual conference, I make a point of chatting to as many of the crew as possible, to ask them what they've appreciated most about CS in the past year. And, every year, the most common answer is 'the leaders', especially the way they interact, mentor and stand beside those coming up through the ranks.

"The leaders and the people who've been on the camps have really encouraged me to pursue that calling God has placed on my heart," says Judah from CS Coffs.

Steve Biddulph, the Aussie psychologist & best selling author of Raising Boys in the 21st Century, has quite a bit to say about this:

"From about fourteen years of age, boys need mentors - other adults who care about them personally and help them move gradually into the larger world... If there are no mentors around, then a young man will fall into a lot of potholes on the road to adulthood."

In his follow-up book Raising Girls, he sees similar issues:

"Although teenage (girls) are naturally drawn to mentors, role models, “cool aunties”, and so on, there aren’t as many adults in kids' lives today. Girls probably spend 80% less time with older women than they used to. So it becomes a kind of ghetto.”

And, in the book of Titus, older woman are implored to set an example to the younger women, training them in behaviour, kindness and love.

For years Christian Surfers has led the way in shaping, mentoring and leading its young people in our local missions. For many, it's their first step into a life of leadership.

Currently, we have two epic programs specifically designed to mentor & train young people. We hope you enjoy reading about our fantastic training programs that raise great leaders and hearing from what our young people have to say about CS.

Blessings - Tracey Kirkland (CSA Board Member)

Judah & Lillie (Coffs ) + Josh (Gold Coast) share about their favourite experiences doing New Swell in the past.

NEW SWELL: New Swell is a week-long intensive program aimed at growing young leaders in their relationship with God and helping to steer their journey into ministry. The event includes sessions and experiences to equip them with resources, wisdom, direction and connection to the wider CS community, to encourage and grow their impact in their local, national and international surfing communities.

We asked Sam to tell us what he thought about his decision to join CSalt in 2019 as a media student.

CSALT: CSalt is a one year ultimate adventure of experience, personal growth and faith formation. Taught in the classroom of the big wide world, students travel together to many amazing surfing locations, whilst undertaking fully accredited learning and on-the-job, front line training. In 2020, CSalt students will be able to enrol in a “Diploma in Leadership, Ministry, Business, Screen and Media or Music Industry" fully accredited through Alphacrucis College Australia. CSalt will offer three extracurricular electives that are designed to produce leaders in their subsequent vocations: CSalt Media, CSalt Sounds and CSalt Pro.

Raising future leaders is vital in preparing CSA for the future... and it's so exciting to see the work God is doing in our young men and women.

Any funds raised this month during our Support Your Tribe campaign goes directly to the vital work of CSA, including these awesome programs.

Please give generously and help us continue the work God has called us all to do.

Let's support this mighty tribe. Let's let the surfing community know that Jesus has come FOR THEM.

From all the CSA family, thank you so much to all who give generously.

May God bless you richly.

PADDLING WITH PURPOSE

I was speaking with a work colleague recently who was struggling with the direction his life was taking. 'What's the purpose of it all?' he said. 'I mean, what is it all for?' 

It's a question most of us have asked at some stage. Without a purpose, we lack direction, motivation or passion. 

Often when you speak to someone who has recently given their lives to Jesus, they'll tell you how they've found new meaning and purpose. What used to be all about 'my plans and my ideas', is now all about God and his plans. It's an exciting time.

Our purpose at CSA has remained unchanged. It's to give every surfer and every surfing community in Australia an opportunity to know and follow Jesus. 

And, every day across the country, we're putting our faith into action. But how can we use our surfing to help others? 

One exciting initiative CSA is involved in is an event with real purpose... 'Paddle Against Poverty'. 

Tracey Kirkland (CSA Board Member)

What is Paddle Against Poverty? 

It's a community event designed to be fun and challenging, while raising money for poverty stricken areas of the world.

This Saturday's event is a 5km paddle off the beaches of Cronulla, in southern Sydney.

Where does the money go that's raised by the paddlers? 

Each time the event is run, the organisers select an area of need. This month, the recipient is Mercy Huts in Indonesia. 

What is Mercy Huts? 

Mercy Huts is a charity that runs not-for-profit beachfront retreats on Rote Island. 100% of the tourism money they make is used to empower local communities living in poverty in remote areas of Indonesia through community development projects, education, employment and training. 

How can I get involved in Paddle Against Poverty?

For more details, click HERE. 

'Paddle Against Poverty was one of the most frothing things I did last year,' Scott said. 'It was so much fun but, even better, it was great to think we were really making a difference.' 

Support Your Tribe

On the Mercy Huts Facebook page it reads: 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' 

CSA knows that all too well. But we have much to do and we need your help. 

'Without the CSA crew, I don't know where I'd be,' Emma said. 'They've shown me, just by the way they live, the way they treat those around them, what it really means to serve Jesus. It's epic.' 

This month is CSA's annual Support Your Tribe fundraising drive.

We're raising money for the important work of CSA on our beaches and we're relying on you to help make the difference.

Please donate today. 

THE VISION GAP (Support Your Tribe 2019)

Last week I climbed a ladder at my mum's house with the aim of cleaning out her gutters. Her house is on a slope so, at one end, it was easy going but the further along I went, the harder it was to postion the ladder so I could reach the roof. The last section of guttering proved impossible because, no matter how I positioned the ladder, I could not bridge the gap. I needed help.  

Sometimes in the offices of CSA we feel a bit like I did that day. We have so much we want to achieve and we can see the task at hand but, because of funding or circumstance, we just can't bridge the gap between our vision 'to share the good news of Jesus with surfers across Australia' and our capabilities. 

But we're optimistic because we know that, for God, anything and everything is possible.

Dawn service & paddle out - Easter 2019 National Gathering

Our annual Support Your Tribe fundraiser kicks off this week with excitement and hope. We already have so much to be thankful for.

• CSA currently has 22 mission hubs covering multiple surf communities and reaching hundreds of surfers every week.

• CSA has 121 active mission leaders, trained and supported by 8 regional coordinators and a National Director.

• 277 tribe members have joined this year alone.

But the mission field is large.

• Along 36,000 km of coastline, on 12,000 beaches, there are 218 boardriders clubs that have more than 20,000 local members.

• Approx 420,000 people surf in Australia at least once a year.

So, while our existing hubs are doing an amazing work serving their local communities and seeing lives transformed, there are obvious gaps. 

• For every 1 CS leader, there's 163 surfers that are members of a boardriders club.

• For every 1 CS mission hub, there's 10 boardriders clubs.

• For every 1 CS leader, there's 3,442 regular surfers and 20,491 recreational surfers.

So, it goes without saying, we need your help to bridge the gaps. 

• Please pray for Support Your Tribe as we aim to raise vital funds for the work and future of CSA.

• Please prayerfully consider what you can donate this month.

Help us see the gaps closed with thriving mission hubs in more locations. Help us to train and support developing leaders, and support our existing staff to ensure longevity and effectiveness. 

This is God's work. Let's fund it properly. Let this be the month you decide to partner with CSA and, together, let's let the world know who Jesus is and what a difference he can make.

Let's support this mighty tribe. Let's let the surfing community know that Jesus has come FOR THEM.

From all the CSA family, thank you so much to all who give generously.

May God bless you richly.

JUNE 19: NATO AND BETH BENNETT Q+A (NTH NSW)

Q. Where do you live & what's your local surf break / community?

Port Macquarie – North Shelly 

Q. Any recent significant relationship / family news?

Beth has started work again this year coming off maternity leave with Hazel. She has started in a new role at our local GP practice and is working casually in emergency. Also, for the last year I have been working in the community adolescent mental health team here in Port covering a maternity leave position and at this stage it’s looking like I will be staying on in this role. It’s been such a blessing working normal hours mon – fri and such a great opportunity working with some of the most vulnerable and at risk teens in my local community.

Q. What do you love about being a Regional Coordinator in CS?

I love being a part of the National Team. Also being in a position to empower other leaders and encouraging them to serve in their surfing communities as they live out their lives striving to walk as Jesus did gets me pretty pumped.  

Q. How have you grown as a leader in your time within CS?

I have learnt the importance of putting my family first in ministry and amongst the business of work, family and CS the importance of keeping God first, because without him it’s all just my own silly ideas and effort – a lot less effective and a lot harder. 

Q. What importance do you place on leadership within CS in your region?

Leadership on a local level is so important, without solid leaders investing into their local surf communities/churches , effective local missions don’t exist. This year a big focus has been on the importance of Godly character as leaders, just not gifting and personality. 

Q. What challenges do you face in your role?

Trying to manage family, full time work, local and regional CS and trying to fit in the odd surf/fish gets challenging at times. Also having enough time and financial support to travel to other missions and staff attacks can be difficult. Another big challenge for us locally and as a region has been finding enough leaders that are willing to step up and lead/serve in their local surfing communities alongside CS.

Q. What are your current hopes and dreams for 2019 and beyond? 

We are hoping and praying for God to raise up Godly leaders to step in to existing missions/ starting new missions throughout the region. Hoping to see missions started up in Bonny Hills, Lennox and Kingscliff in the not too distant future. 

Q. For those that would like to support you and your role - what do you need and how would their support make a difference? 

Receiving more financial support would make a massive difference in enabling us to visit leaders within our region, attending National staff attack meetings and for general regional expenses eg trailer rego, regional camp, leaders training weekends etc. At this stage we are hoping for $250/ month into the regional account.

If you’d like to connect more with Nato about supporting CS Nth NSW pls contact:

Email: natoandbeth@christiansurfers.org.au

Phone: 0401 219 409

NG19: JOHNO - TEACHING SESSIONS SUMMARY

When I was first told the theme of conference (Own it) I took some time to think about how this looks. The three topics that came out of my pondering on “Own it” were

Beginnings: both CS and personal

Simple Gospel

I will go

I wanted to focus intentionally on the beginnings of our personal faith as Easter is a great time to reflect on this. The beginnings of CS in Australia is a great testimony of God stirring a small group of late teens to embark out to form CS. The desire is wonderful and truly inspiring. Today CS is an international movement. ‘Every surfer in every surfing community has the opportunity to know and follow Jesus.’

My second session was about the simple gospel, about being aware of a changing environment here in Australia, where society might be preaching a message of the irrelevance of Christianity but individually people are seeking, many knowing that there must be ‘more than this’. I challenged us to not be intimidated by culture but to come back sharing the simplicity of the gospel and stripping away the superficial.

My last session, ‘I will go’ really looked at not allowing our circumstances to prevent us sharing the gospel but rather seeing the importance of our daily lives in providing opportunities to share the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For me the Sunday dawn service and baptisms were a highlight and such a powerful proclamation.

Bless ya. Mark J.

NG19 NNSW: HARRY / MINNIE

MINNIE - PORT MACQUARIE:
This was my first national gathering and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I only started Christian surfers this year thanks to my friend Hannah who dragged me along one Sunday morning which turned into every Sunday morning and managed to drag me to Phillip island too. I felt a pull to go to Phillip island for gathering even though I didn’t know much about gathering or God I just had this feeling. I knew going to national gathering would change me but not to this extent. On the last night of gathering and the last night session, I went outside with a couple of friends as they helped me pray and tell God I’m ready for him to lead me to a new place and build my life. I trusted in him and was excited to start this new journey with him. Not only was it so good to get to know and love god but with amazing people who immediately turned into beautiful life long friends. A community, a family. It’s people like this that I want to surround my self with, they made me realise who I truely am. I can’t thank everyone enough for welcoming me into the CS family. So thank you!

HARRY - PORT MACQUARIE:

I’ve always been surrounded by Christians. I’ve been blessed to grow up in a Christian household with two loving parents who are both devout and passionate about God. But despite the saying the apple never falls far from the tree, I guess I managed to prove it wrong. You see despite being having the path to God before me, clearly paved and in place, I chose a road far more frequently traveled. I chose to walk a path I thought would lead me best. 

Life has a unique way of cutting fairytales short. Like getting tape jammed in VCR, my once smooth sailing film no longer wanted to play. My once self dictated path to fulfillment, had met its end. The cause of this disruption. Christian surfers. Despite both being two major parts of my life, surfing, and Christ, I had never made the link between the two. In hindsight, I am forever thankful to God for working through Christian surfer, to guide me back to God.

Christian surfers national gathering this year was another huge step in my journey with Christ. Taking place on Phillip Island in Victoria, myself alongside 150 or so other long-haired yahoos, gathered to worship our creator and relish in the unreal waves he produced for us. Whilst I could ramble about the hollow slabs and hand numbing beach breaks for some time, I think what is more important is the work that God did in my life. 

National gathering not only stirred my heart but also opened my eyes to the community of surfers from all walks of life, who shared the common passion to worship and know God. This, alongside the immense amount of love and kindness I felt was shown by every Christian surfer, made me realize how God works through each and every one of us.

Easter Sunday came around and this was probably shaping up to be one of the biggest days of my life. I was already feeling emotional waking up that morning, seeing how the past few days had rattled me spiritually. So of course, when I decided that that day was the day for me to get baptized and wear the Jesus jersey, there were, of course, some waterworks. Thankfully I was able to pin the blame on the salt water.

So where to go from here, Now that CS gathering is behind me and I’ve found a renewed love for Christ? I think its a battle each and every day. A spiritual battle that we can only win with the creator f the universe on our side. One in which I feel ready to face, with the confidence that those who have faith in Christ, have their names written in the kingdom of heaven.

North NSW Crew at NG19