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Christian Surfers seeks to make the practice and culture of surfing consistent with the values of Jesus Christ. “This is about loving our neighbor and serving others”.
Members of Christian Surfers after a surf session in Spain. / Christian Surfers
"We believe that God is the creator of the world and, therefore, of the waves", says Tamiris Rahim, a surfer and a Christian.
It may seem that surfing and Christianity are two opposing things, but there is an evangelical international movement, the Christian Surfers, which seeks to make the practice and culture of surfing consistent with the values of Jesus Christ.
Their originality has led them to appear in a report in the Spanish newspaper El País, where the Spanish director of Christian Surfers has explained what they do, and why.
Marc Pradales (right), director in Spain. / Christian Surfers"This is about loving our neighbor and serving others, in our case, within the surf community", explains Marc Pradales, director of the group in Spain. He is a surf teacher and studies theology in an evangelical seminary near Barcelona.
“OTHER SURFERS ASK US A LOT OF QUESTIONS”
"Many times, on the beach, people do not even know that we are Christians", says Pradales.
"When they find out, they are surprised and ask us lots of questions, the interest in getting to know us is usually greater than ours to make us known", he told El Pais.
When asked about the lack of faith among youth, Pradales responds: "We live in postmodernity, we live in a post-Christian Spain where Christianity is seen as something of the past. But it is not".
Members of Christian Surfers Spain in their last national meeting. / Dani Gioia"We continue to believe that Jesus existed, stepped on our planet, and rose again. And we share the values he taught", he adds.
Do Christian surfers get better waves?. "No", jokes Rahim, "we actually take the worst, because we leave the best waves to our neighbor".
AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
The movement started in Australia in 1983, founded by Brett Davis, a surfer who loved Jesus and working with wood, who was the first to connect the biblical teachings with the waves.
In 1999, Christian Surfers became international, and today it has ramifications in 35 countries. Its aims are to bring Jesus and his Gospel to the surfers of the world, to serve as a bridge between the church and the beach and to create missions of surfers all over the planet.
SURF AND CHRISTIANITY
"Surfing is a self-centered lifestyle, while the lifestyle of Jesus is focused on others. But there is nothing inherently wrong with surfing", Christian Surfers say on their website.
For them, being a genuine Christian surfer means not making surfing an "idol" ('because God does not admit competition') but giving all of one's life and surf to Jesus.
Jesus and surf can go together, the group says. / Christian Surfers
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Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Evi Rodemann: Youth and mission
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
I am not on sale
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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