We love you Kath & Steve Bailey!
National gathering 2023 was a wild one to say the least. Perched up in the little old surf shack town of Dodges Ferry; named after a guy named Dodge who apparently liked to dodge the dole reporting as well, we found that CS fitted quite nicely into this small surf community. It goes to show that the power of worship, prayer & even just the small acts of kindness really do make waves across the places we dwell… Blue Lagoon conference centre, once a victim of torment, threats & not so delightful morning blackboard messages from certain neighbours, has now been praised and accepted with love from these people from just a simple act of a few CS crew leaving easter eggs & a note outside their door (they did not know the circumstance, but God…). The love and light of Christ that shines through this community is so powerful; we cannot understate the blanket of light that is being poured forth in the spiritual realm in times like these, where we are united together, to celebrate the one that binds & holds us together.
We were honoured to have Dave Standen- Cronulla local, absolute legend, frother, father, fisherman & fisher of men to preach to us over the course of the weekend.
Friday focused on the way of love. “I am the way, the truth & the life.” John 14:6
Our way- the way of judgement, pride, exclusivity & sin that we can so easily slip into, or the way of Jesus- the way of love, humility, servanthood, kindness & sacrifice. There is always another way in any situation; a better way that we can choose, and that’s the way of Jesus, the way of love. Boldness without harshness, power without insensitivity. There is a beautiful striking juxtaposition of the Lord’s high, bold claims, but spoken (and acted) with a lowly humble servant heart. With pure unconditional love.
Speaking of striking juxtaposition… how was the entry & form of MC’s Sam Tolman & Mitch Loveday HAHA! Coming in hot on a giant inflatable pink flamingo held up by the Margies boys- Mitch & Sam did not hold back. Sophie Adams, AKA rapper Soph DAWG in da houseee- was the essential glue holding the team together. We’re talking confetti, 80’s lycra, personalised stickers, song & dance… boy oh boy, wow oh wow, what a show! It’s pretty rad that within CS we can have these beautiful contrasts- it does not need to be a solemn, reserved, run of the mill, overtly religious talk or conference. We CAN go from humour gone slightly mad to worship & praise for our King (even though it took us 30 minutes to adjust back into haha) God was the creator of humour, and Jesus died for all of us so that we can express the weird, the quirky, the maybe slightly heretical in all forms… “BE THE MANGOOOO. YOU ARE THE MANGOOO. BE THE MANGOOOO. Now my body feels relaxed, relaxed, relaxed, now my body feels relaxed, relaxed, relaxed.” If you know you know.
Tassie RC Brad Kermond taking one for the team- skulling, & soaking in, the mushed pear juice formed from the foot dance of a few CS crew.
So a big question, what is it that God’s healing us in in our own hearts? And how does he want us to be prospering our own surfing community? Letting the hard parts of your heart be healed and carved out. Taking off the steel cladding, letting down the layers, the walls. We hope you came out of Nat Gatho weekend with a soft, smooth heart- a bit like Dave’s soft baby feet after he took the ankle grinder to them. Best analogy ever, thanks Dave!
Saturday focused on the waiting… honestly I think this sermon hit home for every single person in that room. We are so conditioned to be impatient, to have everything at our fingertips. So what about when it comes to the bigger things? How are you in waiting for those things of bigger meaning & purpose? Jesus waited 2 days before he healed Lazarus.
It is in the waiting that Christ is glorified, it is in the waiting that God can show us the glory & goodness in our lives. God does not cause hardship, suffering & sickness, but he does reveal his power through that. Just remember, the Lord’s delay is not the Lord’s denial.
And of course Sunday… the way to new life. “I am the resurrection & the life.” John 11:40
Listening in to the soft, still promptings and voice of God, for He is constantly orchestrating everything in our lives, in unity with others. Just as Christ has risen, we too must rise in the path that has been laid out for us. To live as those who have a living hope. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Setting our hearts on the things above. Putting to death the old self & putting on the new. Walking in love…
Sunday morning’s paddle out just happened to be one of the coldest mornings in 20 years I think I heard BD say… at a nippy 2 degrees Celsius, booties were ON & wetties were zipped. Unless of course you were a young Jay Panopoulos- rocking the Malibu bikini & mini skirt hehe. We love to enforce strong values here at CS. Even though it was ridiculously cold, the spirit and stoke of all involved- over 150 people- was so beautiful to witness & be a part of. As we formed the cross & joined hands, we prayed for our surf communities and missions back home, and then for the person beside us. Such a powerful way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, & the HOPE & the LIFE that we have in Him.
Ofcourse, one of the best parts of gathering is exploring the vast coastline for breaks & bays with a whole bunch of frothers you’ve only just met, but are already instant family. (You’re stuck with us for eternity so get used to it). We were lucky enough to score Remarkables, Clifton Beach, Parks, Eagle Hawk’s Nest & even Mays which is super rare to break so praise the Lord. These connections that we make with crew from different missions all over the country are super special, and something to hold dear. And to keep the passion & fire burning as we return back to our local beaches. I pray that this fire and love continues to burn for the rest of the year, until we meet again… BE THE MANGOOOO!!!!!
THE PADDLE OUT …
If you have any photos or videos of Nat Gatho 2023 (especially some film snappies or photos of Mitch & Sam’s grand entrance) send them through to journal@christiansurfers.org.au
Photos: Isaiah Merrick
Words: Jemma Scott