10 Question with Logan Mills

Logan and his lovely wife, Carmen

Getting to know the national director of New Zealand, Logan Mills aka Shaka Brah.

1.) Full Name, Location & CS Chapter?

Logan Alexander Mills

2.) How did you come to know and follow Christ?

I was 8 years old at Hot Water Beach camp ground and the CSNZ crew were running a national Jesus Classic comp and at night they ran an outreach in this tent at the campground. They told me all about how Jesus died for me so I can have life and life to the full. So I went up and committed my life to Jesus.

3.) Tell us a bit about where you’re from and your local surf spot.

My wife Carmen, daughter Sélah, & I live in Papamoa Beach which is on the North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand) Its on the East Coast which is a sunny golden sand beach. This has a thriving surfing community. We have an island of our coast called Matakana which offers one of NZ best beach breaks when there’s swell!

4.) Your favourite verse and why you love it.

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for others in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, & in purity.

Logan Mills and his Nephew.

I was given this verse when i was pretty young and have held onto it for life so far. It has encouraged me to live to a higher standard and live out my faith regardless of my age. To be the leader God calls us all to be no matter your age, influence, or status.

5.) One piece of advice you can give to your fellow Christian Surfers?

Find a way to serve the surfing community around you in a way that you love. Serving others is probably one of the most powerful things you can do, its giving up precious time you can’t get back to give to someone else. Such an easy but effective way to practically show Jesus, love, build relationships, & if every single surfer who loves Jesus did this once every week then I think we would be well in truly on our way to seeing every surfer & every surfing community given the opportunity to know & follow Jesus!

6.) Funniest moment serving at an event.

We were serving at the Piha Pro and had just finished putting up all the scrimmage around the whole event buildings which took 2 days to do but we got it perfect. Then the event manager came out to sign it off before giving us our next task. Then they changed their minds with where the scoreboard was going and that would block some of the sponsor’s images. So we had to take it all down and move it along 5 meters. Once we put it all back up we realised the scoreboard would now block another sponsors image. So we took it all down again and put it back to how it originally was. All we could do was laugh, no use getting upset, & we actually all found it hilarious.

7.) What verse has God got frothing on your heart at the moment?

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

With the ever-changing world we live in it can get easy to get bogged down with all the issues, negativity, and fear! But Jesus says to be transformed by renewing our minds. To not believe the lies in our heads, to look to Jesus as our king and perfect image of how we should live and in looking to Jesus, we don’t need to worry about what’s happening around us as Jesus is our rock & solid foundation. It gives me so much security knowing I’m His!

8.) The craziest situation you ever found yourself in while surfing?

On an 8-10ft day at J Bay paddling out with Brett Davis before any light had appeared we decided to paddle out behind bone yards because we couldn’t see when sets were coming because it was pitch black. Following BD we got smashed for 20min in the biggest white water I’ve ever been in. Finally making a breakthrough BD was in front and i could only just see him, i hear him yell out paddle Logan. BD only just made it over this set wave and i was at the very bottom not knowing because it was pitch black. Next minute I got the full force of the wave on the head. I was pinned onto the sand still flat on my board without taking a breath because i couldn’t see the wave coming. This was the longest hold-down of my life in pitch black. Finally, i came up and snuck a breath to get the next wave on the head. It scariest hold down I’ve ever had.

9.) Worst outreach attempt?

I felt prompted to go talk to guy about Jesus, went through what i wanted to say in my head, soon as i got the courage to say something it all came out wrong. I said let me start again, so i tried again and couldn’t get the words out which made me even more nervous. He just looked at me weirdly and asked if i was ok? I said yeah I was, but never mind, and walked off! felt like such a munta.

Some of the CS NZ crew.

10.) Tell us about your best barrel?

Did dawn with a crew up to the Coromandel of New Zealand to a spot called Tairua. Known for its solid barrels. Didn’t even look at the surf but suited up and ran down the beach. Had to make my way through a crowd of 20 guys all just watching and there were only 2 guys out because it was so solid. We couldn’t tell how big it was till I got out tho, took off on the first wave and the stars aligned and it pitch the biggest lip perfectly over me right as my 2 buddies were paddling out. couldn’t believe what just happened, my hair was still dry, & just made the biggest most easiest barrel of my life! Never forget that session!