Catching Waves for Christ: ‘Surf Church’ Makes a Splash on Norfolk Coast
A new and innovative church plant, Wavestation, is making waves on the Norfolk coast by combining surfing and faith. This Methodist church initiative, part of the New Places for New People movement, aims to reach people through creative and missional projects. Trish Ellse, a surfer and Christian Surfers advocate, is championing the idea, which seeks to create an informal and welcoming environment where people can explore their faith.
Wavestation’s vision is to create a church that feels more like a beach hangout, where people can come in their flip-flops and with sea and sand on their feet. The church will combine traditional worship with beach-based activities, including surfing, communion, and fellowship. Ellse hopes that the ministry will attract a younger crowd, and a Friday night youth group is already underway. The church is also promoting a surfers’ Bible, which features stories of surfers who have been transformed by their faith.
Wavestation officially launches on July 5th with a surfing taster session and a “Surf Church Soul Session” at Mundesley Methodist Church. The event is open to all, and tickets are just £5 for the surfing session. Ellse’s passion for combining faith and surfing is inspiring a new community to come together and explore their spirituality in a unique and refreshing way. As she says, “It’s so good to be in God’s creation”.
