For over three decades, Phil Williams has led Christian Surfers UK and been it’s pioneering force! From humble beginnings—answering a small magazine ad that ignited his calling—Phil stepped into leadership with a heart to bridge surfing and faith, trusting God through radical leaps like organizing Europe’s first Christian Surfers International Conference in France (2004) and founding the enduring the still running Jesus Surf Classic, now in its 32nd year.

As Phil transitions from leading Christian Surfers UK, Phil leaves behind a ministry stronger than ever, ready for new horizons—while he continues serving surfers across Europe, para-surfing communities, and wave pools.

This is Phil’s story that comes from leading Christian Surfers UK for 32 years!

Phil Williams when he flirted with the idea of having hair on his dome.

1. Where did the journey start? How did you get involved with Christian Surfers UK?
My surfing life started when I used to hitchhike 160 km at the age of 14 or 15 with a couple of friends to the local surfing beach, slept in the sand dunes overnight, and went skateboarding in the evenings (nowadays that would not be possible).

Surfing began to be part of my life in a more committed way when I went to university back in 1980, partly because of the surfing breaks near the town of Plymouth in Devon, south-west England. I ended up becoming chairman of the surf club and ran my first big competition back in 1981—the National Student Surf Championships, with a mere 300 students. Quite a learning curve, but really important for what was going to develop.

I first got involved with Christian Surfers UK after I finished at university when I saw a small advert in a surfing magazine asking, "Are you passionate about your surfing and your faith? If so, contact Christian Surfers UK"—with a phone number to ring! Such a small advert, but such a significant one at the same time. It took me over a year before, encouraged by my wife Annie, I contacted the team and suddenly got heavily involved. I found myself attending the first-ever national gathering in the UK, and within a few months, they had asked me to begin to move the mission forward. By then, I was working in industry in a quite well-paid and high-powered job and therefore had one or two skill sets which they thought would be beneficial. Some crazy times, huge sacrifices, but at the same time, exciting to see what God was doing even in those days.

2. Looking back over your 32 years in the ministry with Christian Surfers UK, what would you say were the most memorable or impactful moments?
That is a really tough question, as there are so many memories and key moments, but I suppose a couple spring to mind.

One of which was suggesting we run the Christian Surfers International Conference in France in 2004, when we had no Christian Surfers presence at all. A crazy idea? Of course, it was, but I felt that God was calling us to do this, as I believed this was going to be a major stepping stone for the development of Christian Surfers in Europe. So many things came together, and God blessed us with some key people who were in the right place at the right time.

I was really pleased to see that Christian Surfers was really organized, and one week before the conference, I was overjoyed that there were 86 people registered. However, I was a little bit stunned that a week later, when the conference started, somehow there had been one or two extra people, and in fact, 168 people attended the event! Only God could have done that—it was crazy but exciting at the same time, and that was the first major event in mainland Europe.

I think another event which springs to mind was when I was running the Jesus Surf Classic, which incidentally is about to have its 32nd anniversary and is now one of the most popular and longest-running surfing events in the UK. One particular year, even though the forecast was for flat seas, I felt God was telling me, "Build the site, and the waves will come." Scary times—and we did indeed set up the event. On Friday night, it was as flat as a pancake; Saturday was also flat, and Sunday was also due to be flat. But miraculously, a 3-foot clean offshore swell arrived for the duration of Sunday, and we ran the whole event in one day. What amazed me was that the story had featured in a book by a non-Christian friend of mine (Grey Skies, Green Waves), who was amazed at the faith of Christian Surfers and what God did at that event.

3. What has changed the most within the ministry or the broader surfing community since you first started?
Wow, so many things have changed. I would imagine quite a number of the people reading this article were not even born 32 years ago. There was no internet; the way we prayed about Christian Surfers was through a prayer chain. I would ring somebody with a prayer request, they would then ring somebody else, etc.—all by phone calls.

No doubt about it, the number of surfers back in those days was far less than it is today, and obviously, the equipment—both boards and wetsuits—has changed significantly. Wave pools? What on earth was that? A whole new community is being opened up for ministry—never even thought we would ever see the day.

We started Christian Surfers UK with £10 in the bank and just trusted God to lead us on a daily basis as we tried to find out what God was calling us to do. Nowadays, you look back and think there were some radical steps, but they were God-inspired, and I would encourage us to continue to take those risks—not the easy options—even today.

Some things, however, never really changed, and at the heart of that was the fact that surfing, for so many people, is more than just a sport—it’s a way of life, it’s community, and it’s a passion. Without those three factors, I don’t think I would still be surfing today.

4. Over the years – who in Christian Surfers has been your biggest inspiration?

You really are putting me on the spot, but I would have to say that at the head of that list (which is quite a long list) will, of course, be Brett Davis. He and Gill welcomed me into their home in 1998 when I was on my way to New Zealand for my first international conference, and he has continued to be a very good friend—mentored me, helped me, encouraged me, and what an example he has been for our mission. Even to this day, he is still walking alongside me as I enter this period (quite scary at times) of transition.

There are so many other people on that list—not just leaders. I remember a young lad in the UK, aged 10 years old, who wanted to give Christian Surfers less than £1 a month from his pocket money. I never ever forgot that. Of course, journeying with Roy over all these years has also been a highlight, and thankfully that will continue far into the future. And in the UK, Mike Scott has been by my side since day one, still serving the ministry.

I always say, as I travel around the world, how privileged I am to have friends throughout this globe—and these are good friends, friends I can trust, friends that I can share life with, and also go through tough times with as well. Too many to mention, but what a tribe—so blessed.

5. What were some of the biggest challenges during your time, and how did you overcome them?

No doubt about it, one of the biggest challenges was when I was prompted to go full-time, living by faith with Christian Surfers UK 23 years ago. It was not easy turning my back on a very well-paid job, a lovely BMW car, and all the trimmings that went with it, to start on my own running Christian Surfers full-time. Massive financial challenges—but without my incredible family, it would not have been possible. So I want to thank Annie for having to put up with me for 37 years, and of course, my two amazing children, Abi and Joe.

I really believe that when you have massive challenges, that’s when only God can take you through those times. Prayer has always been at the heart of this mission and will always be at the heart of this mission. Looking back at what God has done in the past reminds you of what He will do in the future—He will never leave us nor forsake us.

6. Can you share a story where you saw someone’s life transformed through the ministry of Christian Surfers UK?

Numerous examples, but of course, not as many as we would love, because we all still have a deep love and desire to see so many of our friends and other key people in our surfing communities come to know and follow Christ.

I think, however, one of the stories—and it is quite relevant now with regards to the Surfers Bible—was when one of our Welsh members felt as though God was prompting us to give a Surfers Bible to everybody who took part in the Welsh Championships. We had to get permission, of course, but everybody registered was given one of the original orange Surfers Bibles (New Testament).

Fast forward six months, and a message came in from one of those surfers to say that, as a result of having been given a Bible, he found Christ—and still to this day is living a life of faith. How powerful is the Bible and the message of hope and love contained within it?

Never underestimate what God can do.

As a footnote, it was a big step of faith to spend that money on the Bibles. However, the organisers of the event gave a donation to Christian Surfers for their help—and you guessed it, it was exactly the same amount.

7. What advice would you give to someone starting out in Christian Surfers or in ministry in general?

I think at the heart of stepping out into ministry has got to be looking for support from other people to journey with you. The good news is, today that doesn’t mean they have to live in your neighbourhood—it can be somebody that you can engage with online, although there is nothing better than face-to-face catch-ups.

The ministry of Christian Surfers has changed so much—we did not need to start from scratch. There are templates with ideas and a depth of experience in this ministry. So I would certainly encourage anybody who is looking to start a Christian Surfers ministry to look around them, ask for guidance, and pray, pray, pray before taking the bold external actions.

8. What is a verse that you hung onto during your time in ministry?

A number of key verses, but I think one that was critical at the time when I was looking to step out in faith—and one that is still critical now as we again take a step of faith—is the verse in the Old Testament:
"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)

It may well be that somebody reading this also needs to be reminded of that. These 32 years have not been easy—there have been many financial challenges, big times of sacrifice, I have lost many friends along the way (sadly, some no longer with us or have lost faith), and verses like this bring me back to focusing on God.

Sometimes, Annie and I have been reaching out to find out what our next step is—we cannot see our direction, it is foggy, but God encourages us to keep walking, trusting, and praying, and the next chapter will be unveiled.

9. What are some words of wisdom to the movement of Christian Surfers at this time?

I think, as I look back over these 32 years, a few key themes have always been the way I do things. One of which is: don’t just do anything because it makes financial sense. If that’s what we do, then the ministry of Christian Surfers can become very boring, and sometimes we need God to inspire us to take risks. So be bold. If you feel God is calling you to do something, do it.

I always believe that the small things in life are so important—random acts of kindness could encourage somebody beyond words. If you are thinking about someone and are praying for somebody, do not keep it to yourself—reach out to them and tell them. So many times I have done that, and it has been a significant moment for the person I’m praying for. Other times, they just send a very nice note saying, "Thanks for praying for me."

Finally, never ever underestimate what God can do. It is not just about what we see God doing—it may well be that the seeds we are sowing come to fruition 5, 10, or 15 years later. Nothing we do for God is wasted. Be encouraged, step out in faith, be radical, and keep praying. The future is exciting.

As I step away from the ministry of Christian Surfers UK after over half of my life, of course, it’s going to be a huge emotional rollercoaster. But I know that Christian Surfers UK is in fantastic hands, and I am looking forward to continuing to work throughout Europe and in the para-surf community, as well as in the inland wave pools and other river surfing tribes.

I can’t wait to catch up with you all in person, and thank you to each one of you reading this interview who has played a part in my life—so many faces that bring a smile to me when I sit back and reflect on my first chapter of Christian Surfers ministry.

I am as passionate about Christian Surfers now as I was over 30 years ago. My faith tank is pretty full, and I long to see more people find out about this thing called faith.

Celebrating Phil Williams

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