CS New Zealand National Gathering

Celebrating 40 Years of Christian Surfers New Zealand at the National Gathering

Told by Logan Mills - CS New Zealand National Director

This year, we marked an incredible milestone—40 years of Christian Surfers New Zealand! Our National Gathering brought together surfers from all over New Zealand for a reunion like no other, celebrating the past, present, and future of our movement. Here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments of that weekend.

Reflecting on Four Decades

To kick things off, we held a series of four panels, each representing a different decade of Christian Surfers' NZ journey. These panels were a powerful way for each generation to share their stories, the challenges they faced, and how God had worked in their lives. It was truly inspiring to see how the movement has evolved over the years and how the foundations set by those before us continue to shape what we do today.

Baptisms and Unexpected Encounters

One of the highlights of the gathering was the baptisms. Early in the morning, we gathered at Manu Bay for a worship session before heading down to the boat ramp for baptisms. As we worshiped, a surfer who wasn't part of the gathering but had noticed the crowd on the beach paddled over to see what was going on. After joining us and hearing a powerful message on baptism from Kirk Byer, he decided to get baptized on the spot. It was such a beautiful, unexpected moment of transformation.

What made this story even more incredible was the background of the young man who was baptized. A 16-year-old from the Raglan Surf Academy, he had no prior background in faith and had only attended one Christian Surfers event a month before. But that morning, he felt the call to publicly commit his life to Jesus. It was a true reminder that God is always at work, even in ways we can't anticipate.

We ended up baptizing six people that morning—a powerful moment for all involved. After the baptism, this young guy returned to the water to surf, his heart changed and full of new purpose. We've since connected him with a local church and given him a surfer's Bible to help him grow in his faith.

Looking to the Future

As we reflected on the past 40 years, we also cast vision for the next 10 years. We shared our goals of establishing 50 new missions worldwide in the coming decade. With faith in what God will do, we prayed for those missions, asking God to guide and bless those who will lead them.

One of the most exciting developments was the launch of a new mission in Hawke's Bay. A local worship band, who were all surfers themselves, were so inspired by the gathering that they decided to start a Christian Surfers mission in their area. We're now in the process of supporting and equipping them for this new chapter in the mission.

Community and Healing

A key theme throughout the weekend was the healing and restoration that took place. Several of the older crew members, who had been involved in the movement years ago but had stepped away for various reasons, came back and were deeply moved by what God is doing through Christian Surfers today. Many shared stories of personal healing, whether from past struggles, difficult relationships, or life challenges. It was evident that God was not only moving in the present but also healing past wounds.

A Joyous Celebration

We also made sure to have some fun! The weekend included an epic 80s-themed dance party to celebrate Christian Surfers' New Zealand roots, as well as a banquet where we heard from various speakers and shared stories of God's faithfulness. The event culminated in a cross paddle-out, the biggest we've ever done. It was an amazing sight—surfers paddling out together to form a giant cross on the water, with many people watching from the shore. The image of that cross became a powerful witness to everyone who saw it, especially when some surfers on social media asked about it, and others responded, "That’s Jesus who died for us."

The Biggest Gathering Yet

This year's National Gathering was the largest we've had in years, with over 250 attendees—a true testament to how far we've come and how many people are being drawn to the movement. It was such an encouragement to see so many new faces as well as familiar ones who’ve been part of Christian Surfers for years. The community is growing, and we’re excited to see what God has in store for the next 40 years.

We’re so grateful for everyone who came, served, and prayed during this historic event. The weekend was filled with unforgettable moments, powerful stories of faith, and new commitments to following Jesus. We’re excited to continue moving forward with faith and vision, knowing that God is leading us into a bright future!