A Journey of Faith, Connection, and Community Service

In the beginning...

  • 2003The Langauge of Board-Sports

    A small group of Western surfers visited the Mentawai Islands to surf, connect with locals, and explore ministry opportunities. Despite known humanitarian concerns, the existence of a local surf community was unknown. Incredibly upon arrival, they met the father of some local surfers. Despite their language & cultural differences, they understood each others love for surfing and ran a surf contest together at their favourite wave.

  • 2011The Forming of the Mission Statement (Mobilising Boarders to Serve Communities & Partner in Disciple-making)

    It didn’t make sense initially to mobilise surfers for three seperate opportunities to teach surfing to local established ministry workers for the purpose of the Great Commission. However a YWAM Perth Surfers DTS team changed that opinion and showed just how effective it could be five yers later.

  • 2016The Forming of the Vision Statement (Teams, Locally Supported & Accountable, Self Sustainable & Multiplying)

    The YWAM Perth Surfers DTS left surfboards behind, and the ministry grew quickly from one to three locations. The pastor’s networks, language, and cultural understanding, along with his local support and accountability structures, all contributed to the rapid growth of the work. Aspects of ministry that would take foreigners years to learn & set up when serving cross-culturally.


  • 2020The Phone Call

    A YWAMer traveling through South Asia rang another YWAMer asking for contacts in the village he was visiting with friends. It was soon discovered that he was in the same village as the pastor who had been taught to surf by the YWAM Perth Surfers DTS in 2016. 
This connection formed the basis of relationships across four nations that were maintained via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 2022Post Covid

    Saw the start of following up on the three mobilisation invitations present since 2011. 
These initiatives continue to this day.
As we reflect back on “Our Story” it is important to acknowledge not just YWAM’s part in shaping “the Boarders Circle” but also “Christian Surfers” contribution and “STN”. Both to whom we are grateful.