In the past few months I have sought the Lord concerning my future through fasting, prayer and seeking wise counsel, In January, I asked myself some serious questions about my goals, surfing and ministry. I came to a point of surrendering my surfing ambitions to God. After this time of surrender, an opportunity opened to begin training with surf coach Kevyn Dean, one of the best trainers in California. He is also a Christ follower committed to using his influence to lead other surfers to Jesus. Those of you who know me know that I am passionate about two things: Jesus Christ and surfing, in that order. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe it is my responsibility to do what I do with excellence. Surfing to me is simply an avenue to reach people for Jesus Christ. To do so, I need to be like the 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Liddell who said, “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” For me, “God made me to surf. And when I surf, I feel His pleasure.” I am pursuing a professional career in surfing, and I want to surf by God’s grace and for His glory. The surfing community is a closed community to outsiders. There are many surfers on tour who will not hear the gospel or get to see it close up and relationally unless someone goes to them. In my experience with surfers, it is a me centric industry. Me doing well in contests, me getting all the girls and the money and whatever else comes with this path. My heart is to see people like that come to have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and to realize it is not about me, it is about Him. I have used surfing as a platform for the gospel over the past several years. I have spoken to youth groups in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. While in Hawaii this year after surfing Pipeline, I was able to pray with my new friend who lives in Hawaii and happens to be on the Hawaiian surf team. In the mornings, before we would go surf together, he would see me reading my Bible and ask me to read out loud so he could hear too. Jesus taught, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus was hands on, relational, and loved the tax collectors and sinners. God calls us all to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations, and that is exactly what I am doing, a surfboard is simply my pulpit that provides access into the lives of fellow surfers. In June, I start competing on the World Qualifying Series for the pro tour. My pastor, Joey Buran, was a pro surfer. He and I have mapped out five events for me to compete in from June - September. These events are in Peru, Chile, France, Virginia, and Spain. We have budgeted $15,000 to cover airfare, lodging, food, board baggage fees, contest fees, etc. Amongst all of these competing opportunities I am getting to go to Indonesia with a ministry called Surfing the Nations to do local outreach through surfing in July. David Bishop has agreed to serve as my travel mentor and manager. I am asking that you partner with me in prayer and funding for this journey.

WQS

I got back from mexico on sunday and had an excellent time! Praying for that Nation. I am now praying and seeking the Lord for an opportunity this summer. My pastor who was a pro surfer has been showing me some contest on the World Qualifying Series that he suggest I do this summer. I am working on raising funds for all of the events, so that I can be a missionary light on this pro surf tour. If this worked out then I would be going to south america as well as europe to compete, in addition to my indonesia trip with surfing the nations. Please pray that if this is the route needed, for me as my next step that God would make it clear and guide my steps. I am very excited for whatever God is doing in the world, and am excited to be involved and join him where he is. Any way please pray for guidance, as well as patience as I am finishing this semester of school before I can begin the tour. ND