Personal Story

Personal Story: Kyle Lane

Q:  How did you first learn about Walking on Water?  
As a middle schooler, surfing was my life, so my parents got me The Outsiders and Noah’s Arc movies. I’d watch them every night before going to bed just dreaming of surfing the next day. 

Q:  What was the journey between being a WOW Fan and ending up on staff?
After watching the WOW movies as a grom about a million times, I worked one summer as a Counselor at the Walking On Water Surf Camps. I felt unqualified for that role, but saw God work in powerful ways. Then I felt really unqualified the next Summer when Bryan asked me (a fresh college grad who studied Business) to come take over the camps ministry for WOW. But again I saw God continue to work in powerful ways in the camp environment. Since coming on staff to run the camps ministry, I’ve fallen in love with the filmmaking side of the ministry as well. It has been amazing to work with and have made friends with a lot of the guys who made the movies that inspired me as a kid. 

Q:  Most memorable moment with WOW?
My most memorable moment with WOW was definitely riding a bull during the filming of Surfers & Cowboys. That was one of the most intense moments of my life. We definitely had a lot of fun making that movie. 

Q:  Tell us about your new role and how we can support or pray for you in that position?  
I’ve stepped into the role of Director of Operations for Walking On Water. Who would have thought my business degree would have come in handy after all? We’ve got clear direction on the ministry activities that we see God pushing us towards. But its been really healthy for us to first slow down, clarify our vision, and be very intentional to lay the groundwork for us to launch into this next season of ministry. It’s our same mission, with refreshed vision. 

The best way for you to support me would be to gather your family and spend a couple minutes each week praying for Walking On Water: For the staff, for the films to be used by God, for the 2019 Summer Camps, and for the continued fundraising efforts. Finally, one very simple thing you can do is to connect Walking On Water with someone you think would love the heart and vision of the ministry. 

Q:  A favorite verse or guiding principle for your life and ministry?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Personal Story: Daniel Mansson

Daniel Mansson is a photographer and visionary, with a heart to mentor the next generation toward the creative. Daniel moved to the United States from his home in Sweden in 1994 and a few years later he met Bryan Jennings at an action sports trade show for surfing and skating. Daniel was inspired by the idea of using film to gather people and share the gospel. Soon Daniel had the opportunity to share Walking On Water films back in Sweden.

Since that time Daniel has had great success as a photographer and has also continued to seek opportunities to share the gospel creatively. Daniel, his wife and daughter were all able to go on the recent mission trip to Moldova. While there, they met a man who had a local skate shop and a coffee shop. As they talked, the doors quickly opened to show the Beyond Sight Movie at the skate park. The team got creative and used Google Translate to add Romanian Subtitles, and translated the entire movie! 200-300 people came and lives were clearly touched as following the movie they had time to talk to people and offer prayer. Later they had an art show and more opportunities to get to know the people. Considering how spontaneous this outreach was, Daniel believes the success shows great opportunities for future events involving movies, photography, and art. Daniel says what he thinks is so special about using movies for an outreach event is that you are there to "do" something. He adds, "We are not here to take but to give." Daniel plans to keep giving and dreaming, and he hopes to encourage Christian creatives do use their gifts to do amazing things. Find out more about Daniel at danielmansson.com

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

Personal Story: Chris Bristow

Chris Bristow, his wife Aubri, and their five kids live in San Clemente, California. Chris is the Lead Pastor of The Ark Church, which was planted in the fall of 2015 with "no money, no people and just a 'God-sized' dream." (Wow!)

Chris came in contact with Walking on Water back in 2000 when he was invited to a movie night at a local church. They happened to be showing the movie Noah’s Arc, which was Chris says was extremely impactful toward him as a young adult. This is where he saw that you can follow Jesus without being religious. Chris says, "The movie was so impressionable that when we were dreaming about our church several years later, the culture, the vision, etc.. I couldn’t help but think of Noahs Arc and the miracles that took place in that movie. We saw a church where people would come to know Jesus for the first time, receive God’s calling on their lives, and invite their friends. So when we were having to come to a place of naming our church, The Ark Church seemed like the perfect name."

When we live out our calling with great faith it is amazing what God will do. The Ark Church is now growing faithfully as people come to faith in Jesus, discover their purpose, and begin serving him faithfully.

For info about The Ark Church, visit TheArkOC.com or to purchase a copy of the Noah’s Arc movie email [email protected]

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

Personal Story: Ryleigh Williams

Ryleigh Williams is a 10-year-old girl, who has always dreamed of learning to surf. Ryleigh has epilepsy, and last summer was scheduled for brain surgery to control her seizures. The week before surgery, her parents wanted to give her a great experience, so they searched for a surf camp. When her mom found the Walking On Water camp, she reached out, explaining the situation. They welcomed Ryleigh to attend camp.

Ryleigh says "I was never allowed to go to a camp before because the were afraid of my disability. Walking On Water helped make my dream come true. I met people that will be life long friends at surf camp like Bryan and his daughter Ella. They are always in contact with my family asking how I am and they pray for my recovery. I will also never forget my friend Orion. He took the time to learn my story and in return he told me his story. He says my story touched him but his story touched me and helped calm my nerves before surgery."

Ryleigh had surgery, though it left her right side with temporary paralysis. She says, "I am pushing myself to walk again so that I can attend Walking On Water surf camp again next summer!"
Ryleigh's words to others who might be considering a WOW camp:”Walking On Water is a great surf camp. Even if you're afraid of the water or get knocked down by a wave the staff and fellow campers will give you the encouragement you need to get back into the water." And Ryleigh's greatest lesson from camp? She says: "Through Walking On Water I have learned to always have a kind heart because you never know whose life it will change."

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

Photos by Curren Taber • currentaber.com

Personal Story: Bryan Jennings on Coaching + Parenting

Recently Bryan Jennings was interviewed for an article about coaching and parenting. He shared some great thoughts on really important topics: dealing with fear, coaching techniques and parents' responses to WOW surf camps, and how coaching is applicable to parenting. Read the full interview below:

What is a short summary of your involvement in coaching?

Over twenty years ago God prompted me to start the Walking On Water Surf Camp in San Diego, California. Through the surf school I have had the opportunity to coach beginner and some advanced competitive surfers and more importantly lead them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. I absolutely love sharing the sport I love and the truth of God’s powerful love with the young surfers.

What has been the impact you have seen on both yourself and participants in coaching?

I especially enjoy helping a student who has a fear of the ocean because I can remember having the same fears. Fear is actually very similar to faith. It believes in something that has not yet happened. Unfortunately fear believes in something bad happening before it happens. Faith is believing that God who is good and loving will work out something we can’t see yet that is good and perfect and amazing! The fear of the ocean has kept many people from ever learning to surf similar to other fears keeping people from what God has called them to.

One young eight year old girl named Molly had almost drowned a year prior to attending our surf camp so she was paralyzed by fear. Instead of pressuring her to surf I encouraged her and built up her confidence by only taking her into 6 inches of water and asking her to stand on the board. I told her that I will only take her out farther if she asks me to. I had to be patient. But eventually she asked me to take her out farther and farther and eventually she rode a wave and had the biggest smile I have ever seen! She had conquered her fears and realized that yes she had a tragic near drowning situation in the past, but that did not mean that God could not protect her and lead her back towards her fear so that HE could conquer them and give her the courage to surf and literally ride the storm instead of being suffocated by it!

Can you give us a practical story that illustrates this, particularly with some parent feedback on their child response to coaching?

The most rewarding part of my job is when parents thank me and our Walking On Water surf camp staff for loving their child and teaching them surfing at our surf camp! Last summer we had an amazing situation happen when Derek Rabelo a blind surfer helped at our surf camp as a surf instructor. Derek has surfed the most dangerous waves in the world and has taught all of us what it really means to live by faith and not by sight! Well this past summer we had a young surf camper who was adopted and had some slight mental challenges. This camper became very frustrated during the beach games time and was in an argument with some of the other campers. Derek the blind surfer gently asked this student to go on a walk with him and they began a leader to camper friendship. The wisdom Derek gave him and the love he showed the camper that week made such a huge difference in the camper’s life that his parents came on the last day and could not stop thanking Derek and our staff. They kept saying, “We can’t believe how God brought a blind surfer from Brazil to a surf camp in San Diego to make such a wonderful impact on our son who was adopted from Europe. God’s ways and waves are truly amazing!

What principles of coaching are applicable to parents also, especially as they transition from ‘telling’ younger children to ‘coaching’ older ones?

I think the most powerful coaching comes when the coach is vulnerable and honest about their own past and present mistakes and even go as far as to share with the athlete or our children how God is coaching us through his love and truth. We all need practical examples. For example lately I have struggled with feelings of fear as I am making much needed changes in my life. Derek the blind surfer coached me reminding me that when that first thought or feeling of fear arrives, I need to recognize it, take that thought captive by telling it to leave and praying for God to give me faith and trust in him instead of listening to the voice of fear. I recently told my daughter this and asked her to do the same when she has feelings of anger and agitation. So she is seeing her dad/coach applying his own material and even asking for forgiveness when he/I fail. The recognition of not handling a situation correctly can be a more powerful learning moment than when we do it right. I also ask my 6 year old daughter to coach and teach her dolls what I teach her. So she is learning, teaching, then applying these weapons of Biblical love.

As you observe kids developing resilience through the surf coaching, what advice can you give parents to develop resilience in their kids outside of surfing?

I think the best tool for parents is to teach their kids when they are not in the middle of the storm or the tantrum. It has worked so well for me to wait until the next day or a different time when my daughter has done nothing wrong and then gently remind her of how she gets frustrated when certain things happen. I then coach her through what to do next time this happens and maybe even help her to avoid it happening next time. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or failures. The word Consistency comes to mind. Confidence comes from consistency! When we are not consistent in certain areas of our lives then we don’t have victory. Without practice teams fail. Another way of saying this would be that without failing a lot we can’t win. Practice is actually being humble enough to fail a few times before getting something right. But without humility we can’t fail well. Failing well turns us into champions. Someone who fails well needs resilience to learn from their failures and make changes and persevere. This is developing resilience. Resilience is the state of mind that rejects attitudes like, “I have arrived!” or “I got this” or “It was their fault not mine” or “this will never happen”.

Bryan Jennings, Derek Rabelo and Magno Passos, photo by Faith Fay

Bryan Jennings, photo by Tim Craig

Magno Passos, Derek Rabelo and Bryan Jennings, photo by DeMasi Photography

Personal Story: Chris & Megan Probasco

Chris and Megan Probasco work with Summer in the USA to bring high school students from the Basque region of Spain to America each summer as part of an English Immersion program. This is all done with the intention of showing these students God's love lived out through host families, as well as camps and community events. We are so excited to have a number of these exchange students coming to Walking on Water Surf Camps this summer! Children in the Basque region are raised in a culture that is not friendly towards Christianity. These kids would never hear the gospel message, even if they wanted to. Through relationships with families who live out their faith in an authentic way, these exchange students learn about God's love, and discover that Christianity is about a relationship, not a religion.

Though this will be the first time the Summer in the USA program sends kids to WOW camps, the Probascos have a long history with Walking on Water ministry. While the Probascos lived in the Basque region for four years, they were glad to have the WOW films to use as an outreach tool. Noah's Arc premiered in San Sebastian, and The Outsiders movie was one of the few surf films to be translated into the Basque language.

When Summer in the USA decided to start sending kids to the San Diego area, Chris said "They have to go to WOW surf camps! With the Basque’s proximity to the ocean and their European surfing culture, the Walking on Water surf camps would be the perfect camp experience for our students going to San Diego."

Summer in the USA is looking for a few more host families in the greater San Diego area. Find out more about Summer in the USA here:  www.summerintheusa.com/host. If you are interested in hosting a student for one month this summer (June 30 - July 30) be sure to contact Chris at [email protected]

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

Personal Story : Sergio Lima

Sergio Lima was raised on the island of Fernando De Noronha, in Brazil. Sergio's life was not easy growing up; he was poor and he did not have a father involved in his life. But surfing became his great passion, and by 14 he was surfing professionally. When Christian Surfers, Brazil, came to his island to do surf schools for the community, Sergio took interest. At first he wanted to get involved with the group for the free surf boards they offered, but clearly God had another plan; soon Sergio was going to evening Bible studies, and hearing about the love of God. Sergio gave his life to the Lord when he was 17.

One thing Sergio remembers well from the Christian Surfers meetings was how they would show the Walking on Water movies. He was inspired to see really good surfers who loved Jesus. Soon Sergio realized, "Hey, I can do that! I can be a great surfer and share the gospel!" This inspiration never went away. Sergio met and married Carly, an American girl, and the two of them eventually moved to the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. There they started Island Style Surf School, and Sergio became involved in ministry at the Mission North Shore church. This last winter, Sergio became a Pastor. 2 kids, a lot of surf lessons and youth groups later, Sergio's heart is very full.

This spring, Sergio and Carly, along with their friends Aaron and Corrine Gold, will be traveling back to Sergio's home island in Brazil. Sergio looks forward to seeing the people he grew up with, and sharing the gospel every where he can. They will be showing the Surfers and Cowboys movie, which is great because not only are there a lot of surfers there, but many cowboys on the island as well!

Sergio mentions John 1:12 as a theme verse for the trip and for his life: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Because he remembers what it was like growing up without a father, Sergio wants to tell everyone that there is a Father whose love can change your life. No matter where you come from or who you are, God loves you. This is the message he hopes to share with the people back in Fernando De Noronha, and everyone else he meets. Find Sergio’s Surf School information at islandstylesurfschool.com

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

Personal Story: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Noah Hamilton invited Bryan Jennings to a pre-screening of the new movie, "I Can Only Imagine", and Bryan was truly impressed by the production quality, the story, and the heart behind the movie. The movie shares the so-far untold story behind the best selling Christian song of all time titled: "I can only imagine." It is a touching story about a boy from Texas named Bart Millard, and his strained relationship with his Father...the journey this difficult relationship sent him on, and how it lead to a spiritual journey for both he and his father.

Themes of forgiveness and hope are beautifully woven through the movie. Before Bart could find his voice and write this amazing song, God had him go towards his pain instead of away from it, and led him to peace after a lifetime of conflict. Bart had to face the painful relationship he had with his father in order to know the freedom which allowed him to write THE SONG that impacted the world. What seemed like a loss -- the pain and hopelessness that Bart knew, became a gain...a healed relationship where hope was restored! These are important themes we can all relate to and be inspired by.

Dennis Quaid who starred in Soul Surfer, and also in this movie says about the story: "It's about how one could have a complete change of heart, and how much you can move the earth with that....That doesn't happen very often."

Bryan is hosting a special screening on March 15 in San Juan Capistrano so email [email protected] if interested in attending. The movie comes out March 16 nationwide, so we encourage you to go see it! Be sure to watch the trailer and find more information at icanonlyimagine.com

BUY TICKETS at icanonlyimagine.eventbrite.com

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

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Personal Story: Poi Smith

We all need an encourager in our life, someone who believes in us - maybe even more than us than we believe in ourselves. Poi has been one of those people to Bryan Jennings ever since they met at a showing of the Follow The Leader movie back in the early days of Walking on Water.

Poi was a new Christian then, and a surfer, which meant he felt an immediate connection with Bryan and the Walking on Water ministry. The two men quickly became a mutual encouragement to one another. Poi says that Bryan's heart to obey and please God has always made a deep impression on him. Bryan says Poi's gift of encouragement has blessed him. Poi always seems to reach out with a word of encouragement at just the right time.

When Poi and his family felt called to the mission field, they used the WOW films to share God's love in many surfing communities. Working for a time as the director of Christian Surfers Tahiti, Poi sought opportunities to share God's love with everyone he met. He found the WOW films to be an effective way to connect people's passion for surfing with their need of a Savior.

After 8 years in Tahiti, Poi's family felt called back to California last summer. A few short months after returning, Poi was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. By the time they found it, doctors said he shouldn't even be alive. They told him he had one month to live at the most. Poi believed God told him that he was already healed. Poi determined then that this journey would be about using this trial to encourage others and grow in faith. Whether his healing was on this earth or in heaven, he chose to trust God.

It has been more than 4 months since Poi's diagnoses, and though he has been through many highs and lows, today he is strong physically and spiritually. He continues to use every day and every breath to encourage others and glorify God. As the Walking on Water family, we want to support Poi and his family. Would you join with us in praying for them? We also hope you might visit his site and considering giving a financial gift to help his family through this challenging time.

To financially support Poi and his family during this time please mail a check made out to Lita Smith and mail to:
Poi & Lita Smith
C/O Hope Chapel
P.O. Box 548
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

To email an encouragement to Poi please email [email protected]

Written by Monica Swanson • monicaswanson.com

The Volunteer Dream Team

The most powerful, dangerous warriors are not the ones who are doing it for the money but those who have volunteered to be on the front lines! We are looking for some new volunteers to partner with us in 2018! People have usually been very surprised to find out that the Walking On Water ministry has operated for 23 years with only a few full-time staff members. What they don’t realize is that God has consistently brought volunteers in from many countries to partner and serve with us. The newsletter you are holding was stuffed by our friend and volunteer Melissa Pederson who has been faithfully mailing out our newsletter for years! Monica Swanson has been writing and managing our newsletter articles for years and Chelcea Cummings has been our volunteer graphic designer. The Orange County banquet this past year was so successful because of a volunteer dream team of ladies who know how to throw a party! Huge thank you to Diana Smith, Teresa Taccolini, Lynette Monroe, Marissa Marquez, and Coco Makos. We are looking for long term volunteers who are willing to use their skills and strengths to help us share the Gospel with this generation. The ministry opportunities include event coordinating, photography, graphic design, filming, editing, admin, serving, fundraising, surf instruction, and others. To fill out a short volunteer application, please email [email protected]