Go Uncharted!
Aloha guys,
Roy Harley here, the International Director of Christian Surfers.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating the idea of ‘Going Uncharted’.
I have been questioning as surfers, have we forgotten the allure of the uncharted? Have you and I barrelled headlong into the commercial mainstream of what surf culture has become?
Or as followers of Christ, will you and I, together, ‘Live the Search’, venturing beyond the known and stepping out boldly into the chaos of the unknown with child-like faith?
As a 14-year-old surf-frothed grom, I recall watching the jaw-dropping unravelling of Bali’s Uluwatu and subsequent G-Land from an adventure Jerry Lopez and Rory Russell embarked on in the 1970s. They discovered two of the world’s greatest left-hand reef breaks establishing a right of passage for thousands of adventuring surfers to follow.
Thirty years after that remarkable discovery, I found myself on the now well-trodden trail, savouring the surreal joy of walking down the familiar cliff face, flanked by numerous Warungs (traditional Indonesian food stalls) that line the path. I paddled out through the famous cave at Uluwatu, ready to take on one of the world’s most iconic lefts in the stunning azure waters.
My experience was indelible but by no means comparable to Rory and Jerry.
They were the pioneers.
They went uncharted.
2000 years ago, Jesus called the disciples to GO UNCHARTED. First to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. No doubt the vast majority of the readers of this email are indeed a testament to the success of all those faithful in their obedience.
This call to Go Uncharted, to journey to the ends of the earth. The place where the ocean kisses the land. This is in our DNA as surfers. And as Christ followers.
Each of us is called to be on our journey, ready to be used, so that Every Surfer and Every Surfing Community would have the opportunity to know and follow Jesus.
You might be curious about what this looks like. I hear countless life-changing stories when I check in with your CS team. Over the next few weeks, some of them will share their uncharted adventures with you, and I can’t wait to be inspired alongside you! :)
As a closing thought, one of my greatest joys this year was giving one of our new Surfers Bibles—fresh off the press and linked to a digital backend—to a surfer in my town. He had his young daughter on his hip, and when he looked back at me, he said, “Thank you. This is the first Bible I’ve ever owned.” YEW!!!!!!! So stoked!
Thank you for being part of this incredible movement!
See you in the Lineup,
Roy Harley
