Melony Clark, the new National Women’s Co-ordinator for Christian Surfers New Zealand (CSNZ) was commissioned at the Conference and women’s ministry within Christian Surfers kicked off on a national scale. The National Women’s Co-ordinator is part of the Christian Surfers’ bigger picture as women’s surfing rapidly increases. Matt Foster the National Director of CSNZ says that it is a great opportunity at this time to bring Melony on board to build capacity and enhance the mission goal of being a Christian presence and witness in the surfing community. Melony will be encouraging and providing for the involvement of women within Christian Surfers and assisting in spreading the Gospel to the surfing community as women’s surfing increases exponentially.

Christian Surfers is seeking financial assistance to support Melony in her role as the National Women’s Co-ordinator as she travels to meet with surfing communities, and provides input to CSNZ groups around the country. Please contact CSNZ at melclark@christiansurfers.org.nz if you can assist with finances for this new role in the mission.

Also at the conference over the long weekend were leaders of Christian Surfers missions around the Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa, and the Christian Surfers International Director, Brett Davis from Australia, who shared what is happening in other parts of the mission around the world.

Christian Surfers was successfully established in Fiji this year after a short-term mission from CSNZ to surfing communities in Fiji. Newly emerged leaders of the mission in Fiji were supported to attend the conference in New Zealand, enabling capacity building within their mission and an opportunity for New Zealanders to learn about the mission in Fiji and connect with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Another trip is planned by CSNZ to assist Christian Surfers Fiji in April 2009 with the hope of providing surfboards and other resources and support.