Decision making can be one of the hardest things we come across in life, if I do this will I look stupid, or will I hurt someone, or will I get hurt, is there a better opportunity, will I miss out on something better, will this cost me more than I want to give, so we often shy away from making decisions and committing to those decisions through fear of the unknown. We all know how crippling fear can be in its extremes but we often don’t see it creep up, a little compromise, a little bad influence from the world,  a little backing away from what God calls us to do and after a while we wonder why it becomes so hard, why we are afraid.

Ephesians 4: 1-6 brings great comfort to me when I find myself in a place of fear. Paul says I beseech you, or in the CEV version of the bible, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. This can seen like a heavy mantle or weight for us to carry. The people God has chosen to be his own. Paul then talks about some character traits that help us live this out and these are so important, also for us to try and let the Holy Spirit guide us. V6 gives me the great encouragement “there is one God who is the father to all people not only is God above all but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us.

I encourage you to ponder these words from Ephesians, as you go about life and serving the Lord. Is the spirit of God that is in you greater than the fear you may feel about serving him?
God Bless
Steve Bailey

The 2014 National Gathering, is coming up fast. This year our main speaker is Guy Ormerod from the Gold Coast. He started a professional surfing career at the age of 15 and was sponsored by Billabong. Guy was the first sponsored surfer for Billabong. He went on to achieve the following: Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia surfing championships and is currently a member of Burleigh Boardriders. We are looking forward to hearing what God speaks to us through Guy.

Don’t miss this opportunity as the CSA family gathers from all around Australia. Come for fellowship, surf, good times & get encouraged to continue to stand up for Jesus in your surfing communities. Head to the National Gathering page for all the latest information, also be sure to check out the History of National Gathering while you are registering. Click Here to register & get all the details..

When there is no surf, you will often find CS crew ripping up the local skate bowls or pegging it around the streets on their skatie. Recently, CSA ask Brian to give the CS crew an encouraging message - something to remind them while we are out and about on their skate boards.

I came to America to skate and pursue a career, but in the midst of the chaos of my life, I was introduced to Jesus and so learned how my skateboard, and even my career, exists to point to Him. "Skateboarding is the new baseball", I so often hear here in America, and no better time than for this to be true. We all have gifts, and we all have talents, and be it a skateboard, surfboard, snowboard or whatever else, God gave us this gift and talent for us to use to relate to His lost sheep.

Daily, and all the more often I am contacted by more and more actions sports ministries who are out and about around the world, living out their purpose for Christ. Isn't that what Jesus did? He met them where they where, related to what was happening in their lives, and shone the light of redemption. Be encouraged today, God gave us every breath, and every second, with an intention in mind, to enjoy Him, and to walk out the call - follow Him.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Looking forward to hear of the great things The Lord does through you, in His Ministry.

Brain Sumner

Tell us a bit about yourself, where did you grow up?

I just turned 31 (feeling old but I thought by now I could grow hair on my cheeks) grew up at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Married for 6 years to my awesome wife, Lize and currently live with too many legends from CS, Aaron Bradley, Epik Pete, Melody Thompson and Lani.

When did you start surfing?

I got my first board when I was 10 but confess I rode my esky lid for a few years before I went hard out in surfing when I was about 13.

What does surfing mean for you personally?

Surfing is freedom, an escape, a place where I push myself out of my comfort zone and where I feel closest to my creator.

Read Abe's whole Q&A.... Click Here

Throughout the year, Christian Surfers Australia runs a Certificate (level2) in Sports Chaplaincy. This is a 3 day course which will prepare you well for effective sports chaplaincy. Abe Andrews will be running the course in partnership with Christian Surfers.

If you are interested in equipping yourself so you can serve your local surfing community better, this is an excellent course to do. To check dates, look at the subjects and check out what Surf Chapliancy all about.. Click Here

If you would like to see what is going on within Chaplaincy on the ASP World Tour, Click Here

Throughout early April in the lead up to the 2014 National Gathering, Christian Surfers Australia will be presenting a National Tour of the artists that made this wonderful album a reality.  Artists The Merrys, Selahphonic, Mike MacCarthy, Billy Otto and many more will be hitting a venue near you - To check out all the details - Click Here

Check out one song from the album - 'We Dont Know' - The Merrys

Saturday, May 4, 2013: If you want a unique challenge in surfing and would like to do something for impoverished children, this is a great chance to make a world of difference!

Use your surfing to help others. Join in with North Wollongong Christian Surfers as they raise ongoing sponsorship for the twelfth year in the education of five children (from Rwanda, Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya) through Compassion Australia .

Any extra support will go to supporting community development work in poor surf communities in Indonesia through the Elevate Bali ministry.

To stay connected with the Wollongong events, as well as the other Paddle Against Poverty (PAP)  events this year, Click Here

The 11th International Conference will be held in 2014 in Costa Rica.
Dates: July 27 - August 1, 2014
Guest Speaker: Britt Merrick
Location: Hotel Monterey del Mar

For all the details, Click Here 

The film ‘Purpose’ was produced by Ride Nature in a collaborative effort with Walking on Water, Nations Foundation, Skate Bible and This is my Story. To bring the truth of Jesus to the World through Actions Sports Outreach – to find out more, Click Here

• Check out the opportunities in CSA - Click Here
• Interested in going to Thailand on a Short Term Mission Opportunity - Click Here
• Missed past editions of INSIDE - dont worry, you can go back & check them out - Click Here
• Grains of Salt - CSA surfers weekly devotion - check out all the details - Click Here 

​CSA has a number of different ways you can partner with them, check them out...  

We would like everyone to think of one person who isn't connected with the CSA family & if you could be the one to invite them to be a part of CSA, that would be awesome - Forward to a friend

Finally, we would just like to thank you for your ongoing support, whether you are in a mission, prayer partner, financial partner, young, not so young, or involved in any other way, we say.....