I N T E R V I E W S
Growing up in France with a missionary family & learning to mingle with strangers from a from a young age, Hosanna has become a natural people person & frother of life and THE LORD. If you haven’t met her yet, I’m kind of surprised. Go have a yarn. She will speak in a french & provide you with enough belly laughs and joy to last a week. Here is a small snippet of her story yewww….
Introducing….(drumroll please) our International Director Roy Harley! Get amongst it kiddies, we are diving deep into the life of Roy- covering aqua dacks, bb guns, serving in places a loooong way away from the surf and dancing with the line. This man’s story will blow your mind. A keen spirit for adventure and taking risks has brought Roy into the relationship that He has with the Lord today. We get to discuss with him what it means to live as a 'satellite' orbiting the Lord’s ‘gravity’, living in the love of His grace and mercy.
19 years of National Directing looks a little like... "STEEEEVE STEVE BAILEY HOO HAA!!!" Swell Times podcast has gone live at CS National Gathering in Tassie and we've got the Angry Bird himself stepping up to the mic! He unpacks it all... the grit of the old days where he stepped into leadership, to National Director as we now know it. We are so grateful for the leader you are Steve! Where you're in action showing that Jesus is the answer and your leadership under Him. Praying for you and the fam always!
Christian Surfers have partnered with Tearfund to raise awareness and make waves in communities that need our help. We are joined by Sam Fagan who shares with us the many opportunities to jump onboard. From signing petitions to supporting causes or even being more aware of where your rubbish goes. Listen and learn where YOU can help! God has commanded us to love one another and be stewards of the earth. Please welcome Sam yewwww….
Oh boy are we excited about this special guest! Trying to not get too star-struck in this poddy with the humble Reef Heazlewood. We get to unpack with him the world of professional surfing (aqua bogs incl.) and what it means to put God first and give Him the glory. Reef’s dream with professional surfing has always been to use it as a platform to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to help others… such as being an ambassador for International Needs Australia with his campaign ReefMakesWaves. Get amongst it!
Based on the Sunshine Coast, we welcome filmmaker, photographer, director, musician, producer, father & hubby- Jordy Merry. Growing up within CS since a young grommie, Jords has had a super adventurous & creatively inspired life. From living in Darwin on mission, travelling Aus & Indo shooting music videos and passion projects with a purpose, to falling in love in the forest & writing & producing music- Jords has kind of done it all. Here's a small snippet of his story. Yew!
Dave Lovell (The Silver Fox) reflects on his many years contributing to the CS community. God has moved powerfully through Dave’s life. He shares wisdom that he has been gained throughout the years and questions us: What is the space you’ve allowed God to do what He needs to do? How can we intentionally create uncut spaces for God to move.
A heart of absolute gold right here, Soph Adams hailing from NW Tassie, is currently based on the surf coast of Vic studying nursing & psychology. Last year she was the leader & mentor for the students at the Christain Surfers Leadership Australia Training Program (CSALT). 10 months of surf, study & seeking the Lord. Soph shares with us her time & experience on sight with 18 frothers, and what God’s been doing in her life…
National Manager, father of three, husband to Naomi, a child of God & a devoted servant to the Kingdom… Jono Bailey has been a part of Christian Surfers for over 20 years. His passion for adventure, surfing & faith has taken him all over the world, but the hot sandy shores of Australia’s Coolum Beach, & the whisper of God called him back home… This is a snippet of Jono’s story.
“The Paddle Against Poverty has been running for 22 years, this will be its 23rd. It’s a charity event supported by Christian Surfers Australia (CSA), and was actually founded by my dad, along with a few others. So, it really has done the full circle. What started as a small group of keen Christian surfers, eager to help children in poverty, has turned into a community event, with around 100 paddlers taking to the water each year to raise money for a myriad of powerful causes, such as Compassion Australia and Mercy Huts to name a couple…”
Meet Georgia - a true force to be reckoned with in the Kingdom. Currently residing in Manly, Sydney with her two best mates- she is really living life to the full. When Georgia’s not busy caring for others or organising CS camps, you can find her soaking in the glory of God's creation. From shooting fish to exploring reefs, horse-riding, surfing, camping- you name it. Georgia does it all and she does it with style. However, her journey has not been an easy one. If it wasn’t for the unwavering faith & love of those around her, and the realisation of God's unconditional love for her; she wouldn't be where she is today…
I sat on the beach for about 10 minutes after that just thinking; the adrenaline slowly wearing off. Just thinking, wow, was that voice God, or an angel? Thinking wow, I should have died right then but I’m still alive. Did I just get spared from death, does my life have more purpose than what I was currently living for…?
“ I think there's some incredible opportunities emerging. I'll put Indonesia on the table because I'm filling a gap at the moment as the regional coordinator for Japan and Indonesia. There is no Christian Surfers in Indonesia, Ado and the crew had done that role for over 20 years & decided to shift sideways with a focus with other church planting movements. So, it's positioned vacant but I've developed a network of surf Ministries that are operating in Indonesia, and Ado and his crew are still one of that, they still want to partner with Christian Surfers but not be Christian Surfers. We had a face-to-face meeting on a new charter boat which is another new ministry starting in Indo…”
"We felt marginalised by the surfing community because we were Christians and marginalised from the church community because we were surfers."
What started with a handful of teenagers in Cronulla, Sydney, has now turned into a big, beautiful global family; with missions in over 30 nations & over 1,000 volunteer leaders spreading the love of God through all levels of surfing. We welcome Christian Surfers Founder Brett Davis to the chat room! Yewwww.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, founder of Abide Clothing, Dan Ulyate shares with us his love for the Lord & expressing that through different creative channels & places of service.
”Create and let it all be worship to God. Spending time abiding in God will cause a natural overflow of him and his goodness. This will overflow into what you create. When I play music I cannot help but sing of him and his goodness. If you're in business just wait and see what he starts doing through you. We have been created to create…”
Business owner, father of 4, husband to Shelley, absolute charger & downright legend… James Forrest currently resides in Sydney & is shining the love & light of the Lord by living as authentically & as Christ-like as he can…
JESS GIBSON //
Originally from Durban, South Africa, Jess is now based on the Sunshine Coast with her husband Jesse. Her time in Fiji on a mission trip in 2015 enabled her to witness hundreds of miracles whilst in partnership with the Holy Spirit; administering healings by the grace of God. Miracles that you read about in the Bible, when Jesus travelled from town to town sharing the good news and healing the sick…
Matthew 15:30 // And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.