Joe Matera first heard about Bryan Jennings and Walking On Water around 1998 when he was on staff with Christian Surfers. Over the years their CS chapter had used some of the Walking On Water films at various outreach events where, as Joe recalls, “It was apparent that these films were an effective tool in ministering to those in our community. There was always a good crowd that would come out and it was encouraging to see the way these surf documentaries uniquely impacted the lives of those in attendance. I couldn’t wait to meet ‘this Bryan guy’ who produced all of these powerful documentaries.”

In the year 2000, Joe finally got his chance to meet and even host “this Bryan guy” in his home, during a visit to Sea Isle City, NJ for a surf competition, inaugurating a life-long friendship between the two. The following summer Joe flew out to La Jolla to help with the Walking On Water Surf Camps and was so inspired by his experience that he decided to start a surfing division of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Ocean City NJ. “At the time,” Joe explains, “FCA did not have surfing as a main ministry sport and now, 8 yrs later, the camps are being run Nationwide and are primarily centered around surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding!”

After many years of discussing the possibility of a partnership, W.O.W and FCA have finally decided to team up and co-host this summer’s Walking On Water Surf Camps. Joe shares, “Through Bryan and the Walking On Water Ministry, I have recognized that there is a wonderful opportunity to reach many with the Gospel message through the platform of surfing. Through the camps it appears as if we are just sharing God’s love with the kids but what we didn’t realize is that the kids were also taking home the Gospel message and ministering to their families! It is beautiful to see the Lord at work through the sport of surfing.”

In closing, Bryan Jennings shares, “Through the past 10 years Joe has been an inspiration to me in many ways. Just recently he has been battling Metastatic Melanoma, which has spread into his body but his faith has never once waivered! I am daily encouraged by his ability to live each day to it’s fullest for the Lord’s glory! We ask that you would please keep him and his family in your prayers as he continues in his battle against cancer.”