Riding a big wave of outreach

Oregon ministry targets subculture

By CAROLYN PROVENZOLA
CNNW intern reporter

   LINCOLN CITY – Here in Oregon, one group is literally riding a wave of ministry targeting the youth subculture.
   While the younger generation thrives in a world of pop culture and extreme sports, many churches are almost at a loss as to how to reach this entire subgroup of the population as a whole. Often, believers in this subculture are the ones best equipped to reach those beyond the arm of the traditional church.
    Embracing this challenge, Christian Surfers of Oregon is utilizing the sport of surfing as a tool for reaching those in the surf culture.
Christian Surfers International began in Australia in 1976 when “a group of Australian teenage surfers . . . had a vision for reaching out to other surfers,” according to their website (www.christiansurfers.net). This vision then branched internationally, reaching the United States in the 1980s, as well as New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Tahiti, Portugal, France, Japan, Peru, and beyond.
    With a vision to link “the entire United States coastline with local Christian Surfers ministries,” (www.christiansurfers.com) Christian Surfers United States began producing smaller local chapters. Then in May 2002, the Oregon chapter — Christian Surfers of Oregon (CSO) — was founded by Mike Barrett.
    Though not traditionally popular in Oregon, surfing has grown tremendously in the state over the past couple of years. With the growing popularity of snowboarding in the winter, many snowboarders naturally gravitate toward surfing during the summer months. However, the typically cold, rainy weather does not deter surfers from enjoying the waves offered at the Oregon coast year-round. With this increase in the popularity of surfing, Christian Surfers of Oregon recognizes, according to www.oregonsurfers.com, “the need for a presence of Jesus Christ in the Oregon surfing communities.”
    Though only five or six people attended the first few meetings that first summer in 2002, the organization has grown to include at least 40 actively involved members who meet in a few Oregon cities, including Portland, Salem, and Lincoln City. CSO organizes a variety of events, including “weekend surf trips, Bible studies, ‘Surfchurch,’ local contests, international mission trips, and other surf related outreaches.” Therefore, in addition to the regular members, many from the secular surfing community are drawn to the events hosted by CSO.
    CSO hosts a monthly surf-out, which attracts 60 or more people. Also, CSO puts on contests, including the only short board contest in Oregon, and an open invitation is offered for these events. According to Jason Menke, the chapter director, these surf-outs and contests serve as outreach opportunities by which Christian surfers can build relationships with non-Christians, and the community can be served by enjoying the event.
    At these contests, every competitor is given a copy of the Surfer’s Bible. Translated in the Contemporary English Version, this Bible contains surfers’ testimonies and surf comic strips, and the cover is decorated with surfing pictures. The easily understood translation and creative additions make it easy for CSO, as well as the whole of Christian Surfers International, to utilize the Scripture as a part of ministry in a non-threatening manner.
    Though CSO is reaching a culture beyond the arm of the traditional church, it does not seek to work apart from the Church as a whole. According to Menke, all CSO leaders are released by their churches to be a part of the CSO ministry, thus making this ministry an extension of the Church. Also, CSO is partnering with several Oregon churches in Lincoln City, Portland, and Salem, including Foursqure and Vineyard churches, and more. All of these churches help in different ways, including actively praying for the ministry, and some are the home churches of surfers connected with CSO. These are churches viewed by CSO as “surfer friendly churches,” according to Menke, who says many in the surfing community would not be comfortable in a more traditional church setting.
     CSO makes it possible for those with a love of surfing and a love of God to unite these passions in a practical way. Rather than trying to draw people out of the surfing community into the church, CSO meets people on the beach and shares God’s love right there.
   “We exist to reach a people group that most churches have a very difficult time reaching,” says Menke. “We’re surfers reaching surfers.”
    For information, go to www.oregonsurfers.com, or phone 503-317-0638.