WHY ACTION SPORTS?
DEMOGRAPHIC WE'RE REACHING
When Ride Nature was founded in 2009, we quickly realized that a large majority of the kids that we were investing in were coming from single parent homes, many without fathers, they had a background or exposure to drugs, alcohol, generally were from lower income homes, and were naturally very rebellious.
This is the culture that we are reaching and group that is very much unreached by the corporate church.
The unique thing about the action sport industry is that there is no separation or division between the age groups at skateparks or in the ocean. You can have 35 year old men hanging out with 12 year old kids and sadly more times than not, the influence taking place in that environment is not positive. Our goal as an organization is to change that while providing positive role models and influences for the youth involved at the parks and in the water.
Several years ago USA TODAY announced that here in the United States there are more children between the ages of 7-18 SKATEBOARDING than there are playing little league baseball. In countries around the world like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, China, and Japan, the action sports culture and industry is rapidly exploding and quickly becoming more popular than sports even as widespread as soccer. We believe that the action sports industry and scene is one of the most influential factors on youth worldwide, and sadly most youth are falling into the worldly and negative influence that many times revolve around action sports.
OUR STRATEGY
The Gospel in and of itself is simple, but sharing it, advancing it, and making disciples is NOT easy. Being intentional, especially with youth and taking the time to invest into their lives is hard, costly, requires time, energy, comfort, finances, and ultimately our lives. This is our strategy...to give all of the above. It isn't complicated, but just costly.
"Twenty years ago, the phrase was, 'if you don't reach a young person by 18, you probably won't reach them. Now, atheists and agnostics have the same access to your kids as you do, it's just one click away. The internet has leveled the playing field and now if you don't reach a child by their 12th birthday, you won't reach them."
- Josh McDowell
SUSTAINING ATTRIBUTES
1. Gospel-Centered & Eternally Minded: Everything begins and ends with the Good News of Jesus. We live with heaven in view and urgency in our mission.
(Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 4:18, John 14:2-3)
2. Unreached-Focused & Discipleship-Driven: We go where the Gospel has not yet gone, and we multiply it through intentional, life-on-life discipleship.
(Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 15:20, 2 Timothy 2:2)
3. People-First & Relationally Intentional: Ministry flows through relationships. We invest deeply in people, knowing transformation happens through connection.
(1 Thessalonians 2:8, Proverbs 27:17, John 13:35)
4. Empowering Local Leaders: We raise up and release others—especially indigenous leaders—because locals reaching locals is lasting impact.
(Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Acts 14:23)
5. Church Partnership & Planting: We pursue Gospel-rooted community. Healthy discipleship grows healthy churches that multiply.
(Acts 2:42-47, Matthew 16:18, Titus 1:5)
6. Hope-Filled Leadership: We lead with faith, calling out the image of God in others and believing in what He can do through them.
(Hebrews 10:23-24, Romans 15:13, Ephesians 2:10)
7. Humble & Authentic Servanthood: We lead by example—not perfectly, but authentically—remaining raw, humble, and honest about the journey.
(Philippians 2:3-7, 1 Peter 5:5-6, 2 Corinthians 12:9)
8. Endurance & Faithful Consistency: We press on through difficulty and remain steady. Legacy is built through faithfulness over time.
(Galatians 6:9, James 1:12, 1 Corinthians 15:58)
9. Accountable & Known: We grow best in community. Through honest relationships, we sharpen one another toward Christlikeness.
(James 5:16, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
10. Wise Stewardship & Sustainable Models: We value what we’ve been given—time, money, people—and build for long-term Kingdom impact, not short-term hype.
(1 Peter 4:10, Luke 16:10-11, Proverbs 21:5)
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH
God
God is three distinct yet unified persons. God the Father is the 1st person of the Trinity. He is the beginning and end of all things. He is the Creator of the universe and author of all life. All history moves toward Him and finds its culmination in His sovereign plan. (Genesis 1; John 1:1; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15-23; Revelation 19:6)
Jesus
Jesus is the 2nd person of the Trinity. He came to earth because of God’s love for humanity. In living a fully human/fully divine life He is both our example and victorious King. He died for the sins of every man, woman and child. He conquered death and rose from the grave before ascending to the Father where He reigns with Him before His personal return for his global Church in power and glory. He is our Savior and Lord. He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-18; Matthew 27:54; John 14:6-7; Colossians 1:15-23; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 9:27-28)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the Trinity. He was sent to comfort and reveal Truth. He enables believers to live out the ordained purposes for their lives. He is the fully active power of God at work in the world today. (John 14:15-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16)
The Gospel
The Gospel is the good news of salvation and fulfillment for every man, woman and child. Having a deep love for the world, God the Father sent his son, Jesus, to rescue humanity from itself and provide a way out of the bondage of sin through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. The Gospel is the only solution for this world’s deficiency.(Luke 2:10-11; Luke 4:14-21; John 3:16-17; Romans 1:16-17)
Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift of redemption for His Church. It is a free gift received by faith alone. Salvation comes through a conscious recognition of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and it’s transforming relevance in the lives of those that believe. Salvation cannot be found outside of the death and resurrection of Jesus. (John 1:12; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Bible
The Bible, in its original autographs, is wholly authentic, fully trustworthy, and complete without error. There is nothing that can be added to it or taken from it. The Bible is the revealed word of God and is useful for teaching, encouraging, and correcting. ( Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Humanity
Humanity is God’s crowning work in creation. Created in God’s own image, human beings are sinful at birth. Humanity’s main purpose is to glorify God along with all creation. The only hope for humanity is found in the finished work of Jesus.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:3)
The Church
The Church is the people of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Church is God’s chosen instrument to bring His Gospel to every man, woman and child. There is one Church of which Jesus Christ is the head. The Church is made up of every person who places trust in the finished work of Jesus.
(Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4:1-13)