Written By: Priscilla Burr | Content Manager
Photo By: Leason Dancaescu | Gulf Coast Regional Coordinator
In February, Christian Surfers United States (CSUS) held its first Surf Mission Trip to Barbados. The island is home to a world-class right point break, known as Soup Bowl, which attracts legendary surfers like Kelly Slater.
“Soup Bowl is a world-class wave. It’s an awesome break,” says Wes Hewson, the English Caribbean regional coordinator for Christian Surfers International (CSI). “Barbados has a fairly good surf population, and there are a lot of good surfing breaks.”
Early in 2024, Wes listed Barbados as a potential mission trip opportunity for CSUS to explore. Leason Dancaescu, the Gulf Coast regional coordinator for CSUS, expressed an interest in leading a team there. The two worked together and led a team to Barbados in early February.
“Our first Surf and Serve to Barbados was an absolutely epic time serving the local community and encouraging the chapter there,” says Leason. “The trip was an opportunity to create connections in Barbados for future CS mission trips. We made amazing connections with local church members and surf community stakeholders.”
Partnering with CS Barbados
The mission team partnered with the Barbados CS chapter. The chapter meets at Drill Hall Beach on the southwest coast of the island.
“Right now, there are four to five core leaders alongside Barry (the CS chapter leader). They meet once a month at Drill Hall Beach. They usually have anywhere from 20 to 40 people attending,” says Wes. “And through the efforts of the Barbados crew down there, they are making huge inroads. The last couple of chapter meetings, they have had an influx of groms.”
The team spent one day serving at the Barbados Surfing Association (BSA) Contest at a local break called Brandon’s. They helped set up the contest site. Then, they joined some of the organizers and judges in praying over the contest, the contestants, surf conditions and the surf community of Barbados as a whole. The team also supported the contest directors and judges by running priority judging, spotting and breakdown.
“We were blessed. While the team was there, we were able to help the Barbados Surfing Association with a surf contest,” says Wes. “That was just a wonderful opportunity to meet with a lot of the locals. We were well received. The team was helping run the contest, and it’s just a huge way to make an impact on the local community.”
During the rest of the week, the team ministered to surfers at local breaks. They encouraged surfers and handed out Surfers Bibles and Gospel of John booklets.
“The challenge with Barbados and many of the Caribbean Islands is that they are very isolated,” says Wes. “It’s not like the U.S, where you can drive from one city to another. They feel kind of alone. When we go down there and support them, they don’t feel like they are out there by themselves.”
Andrew’s Story
While the team encouraged the local CS chapter, they too felt God move in their lives. One of those moments was on a Sunday morning during church on the beach.
“As we were signing and worshipping with the beach church, I was completely brought to tears as I was reminded that the same God whom I worship is the same God moving in this place,” says Andrew Jakus. “Not flash, no glamour, just Jesus. That is all that it takes.”
Andrew shares how they ended up spending the rest of the day with the people at the church, and God used them to encourage one another in their walks in life. Andrew is the owner of Eos Surf Shop in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and is in the process of praying about launching a chapter in his town.
“Barbados and the opportunity to connect with Barry. who, like me, makes his living in the surf industry and wants to glorify God through it, felt like the right fit for a mission trip,” adds Andrew.
An Impactful Moment
The most rewarding part of the trip for Andrew followed his most challenging part. “Being a surfer from the Great Lakes, and not a very good one at that, I felt a strong amount of intimidation and inadequacy right off the bat. My daily driver back home is always a longboard or a glider, but for this trip, I wanted something smaller. This was my first mistake,” says Andrew.
Over the first couple of days of the trip, Andrew felt timid and discouraged, and missed his wife and young children back home. On the third day, he needed a break away from others and alone time with God.
“I went by myself to a small clean break called Freights, and within an hour, I felt God share with me that my motives were in the wrong place. He had me on this trip to connect with Him and share Him. And instead, I was making it about myself and robbing my own joy,” says Andrew. “Once I was able to acknowledge this and course correct, it was game on.”
Within an hour of hearing from God, Andrew said God aligned multiple conversations in the water and on shore for him to share what God was doing in his life. He was invited back for lunch to another surfer’s home, where they were able to continue their conversation. From that point on, the trip took on a different meaning for Andrew. He could sense God aligning his every move.
“The way that God moves when you step out of your day-to-day and give Him a blank slate is such an encouragement,” says Andrew. “Doing life with your brothers and sisters in Christ, especially from other areas and walks, really brings new meaning to ‘Iron sharpening Iron.’ The connections and friendships we were able to build in a short week in Barbados could only be described through the work of God. I believe He has great plans for that small land mass, and I hope to play a part in it!”
Reaching Local Surfers
For those interested in joining a Surf Mission Trip, Wes adds, “Bring your heart to minister and reach out to the lost surfer. That’s our main purpose with CS is to reach the lost surfers and guide them to Jesus,” says Wes. “Have your heart open to reach out to the local surfer group, get to know them.”
Learn more about one of our Surf Mission Trips here. Stay tuned for an announcement of our 2026 trips in the next month.
