Like most mornings I hop on my bicycle to get some exercise and enjoy the beauty of our town. Some days there is a route I take that leads me directly to the ocean. Today was one of those days, and when I entered the beach I noticed a group of young surfers. As I approached walking my bicycle down the pavement to the sandy beach, three of the surfers who were huddled together looked at me, just like a kid will look at an adult or parent who catches them doing something they should not be doing. I stood looking at two other surfers who had put down their boards and picked up a fishing pole. One had obviously caught something quite large at the end of his line which by the looks of it and the strength of his line and pole may have been a shark.
Then for a brief moment I looked to my left and saw the other group walking away still very close together and then a large puff of smoke surrounded them. At that moment, I knew exactly what it was. I myself used to smoke pot when I was their age. In fact, I was quite the party girl, but we’ll save that for another blog.
As I watched the other two surfers who were reeling in what may have been a small shark, I noticed that the one with the pole was working very hard. He didn’t appear to be very strong, and had very thin arms and legs, but he was doing the best he could. Minutes later the large catch won the battle and took the boys hook with him.
Just before I hopped back on my bike for my journey home, I had the thought to talk to these locals, but felt because they didn’t know who I was, like some of the local surfers in Ponce, I quickly changed my mind.
During my ride home I thought nothing more of it until I began cleaning our bathrooms, and as I was scrubbing the tub and shower I began thinking about these young surfers, and how desperately we need God’s people with a vision to reach the surf community in our town.
There are throngs of surfers who travel from all over to surf the waves at Ponce Jetty. How do I know? 1) I have lived here for 15 years and 2) I’ve been a professional surf photographer for nearly a decade (my work has been published in “Locals Only Surf Magazine-May/June issue 2010 print issue and I’m a local pro at Surfline.com).
Why am I compelled to reach this surf tribe? Our family moved to Ponce Inlet, FL in 2003 and founded the first Christian church in the history of Ponce Inlet: Ponce Church.
Both my husband and I are pastors and work side by side. Our two boys 30 and 21. Our oldest, Rich Tidwell is pastor and founder of our sister church, Ormond Church along with his beautiful wife Brandi and their two children.
Both PC and OC are active in our communities teaching the words of Jesus and doing what He says by caring for those in need – the poor, homeless and the orphan.
Years ago the pastor of another church met with us for lunch and liked our story and the fact that we started the first church here in Ponce Inlet. His church has a number of surfers that attend and because he too enjoys to surf I feel that he also shared our vision to reach the surf community.
Turns out they went in their direction and we continued on the path the Lord has called us to.
God has called our family to Ponce Inlet and Ormond Beach to continue His work, sharing and demonstrating God’s Love by providing meals for the homeless every Saturday in Daytona Beach and housing age-out foster girls at Legacy House – legacyhousingproject.com
I understand what it takes to reach out to others with the gospel Jesus Christ and God’s love, and it’s my hope and prayer that God will speak to his people, specifically those that love to surf, and grab the vision to preach Christ and share God’s amazing love with local surfers in our town. I believe that together we can reach this “tribe” with the gospel of the man who walked on water and gave his own life to save mankind.
If God is speaking to your heart to get involved and team up with Ponce Church to reach this generation of surfers, go to poncechurch.com and send us an email, or visit our Facebook page and send us a message. For more surf photography go to “The Surf Life of Ponce Inlet” . Thank you.
“When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Mathew 9:36-38.