Imagine a country where the vast majority of people walk around in hopelessness; where people do not know the love and forgiveness of Jesus and the suicide rate is amongst the world’s highest--about one hundred suicides per day. The place that you have imagined is Japan.

If your desire is to reach the Japanese for Christ, there is no better time to be a Christian surfer in Japan. Approximately 99.5% of the Japanese have never heard the truth about Jesus and there are more surfers in Japan then there are believers in Jesus! A recent Gallup Poll showed that traditionally dominant religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism are declining among teenagers, and that the Japanese youth are more open to the gospel then they have been in a very long time.

This year in Japan Walking On Water Mission Trips will be ministering on the island of Okinawa. Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture, consisting of a few dozen small islands. The people of these islands are very warm, friendly, and hospitable. Okinawa is a subtropical island said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Japan and normally enjoys temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the year. With warm, blue, crystal clear water, and incredible live reefs, Okinawa can be a surfers dream. Much of its best waves are generated from typhoons from May to December, delivering some great surf to all corners of the island.

Other Interesting Okinawa Facts: The island is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit. Okinawa has its own religious beliefs, generally characterized by ancestor worship and the respecting of relationships between the living, the dead, the gods, and spirits of the natural world. Karate originated on Okinawa.

• Walking On Water and Christian Surfers Australia will be working closely with our good friends from Christian Surfers Japan assisting them in reaching the surfers of their nation.
• We will be putting on free surf clinics for the Japanese people who want to learn how to surf. By doing this we will be able to develop those crucial relationships that effective ministry so often depends upon.
• We will also be giving out free Noah’s Arc DVD’s in beach parking lots to surfers.
• You will have the opportunity to be involved in showing Bethany Hamilton’s documentary; Heart of a Soul Surfer, which is subtitled in Japanese.
• We will have the opportunity to serve at a local surf contest by helping at the Hospitality Tent, as well as assisting the set up and tear down of the event.
• You will be eating, surfing and hanging out with the new Japanese friends that you meet. This type of ministry is really relational, natural, and fun.
Other Activities:

Visit the aquarium to understand why the Okinawans are called " uminchu," people of the sea.

Visit The War Museum to help understand why the Okinawans despise war.

Who:

We are looking for surfers who want to share their faith with those who are in desperate need to hear it. This trip is open to just about all! If you are a Japanese American and you would like to go minister to your people, then this is a great opportunity for you because we really could use your help. You must be at least 18 years old, or accompanied by an adult.

Trip Cost: $1,500.00 (airfare not included)
Subject to change.