JOSH BAKER

PERSONAL UPDATE

I am so stoked to be officially joining the Ride Nature California headquarters as a full time staff member! I never would have imagined that taking up skateboarding as a hobby in 2018 would have led me to where I am today. These two facets of my life first became intertwined when I started attending Grand Canyon University in 2019, and I got involved with a skate ministry program in Phoenix. This was my first encounter with the partnership between action sports and ministry, and I got to experience the power of that firsthand. Looking back over the past several years, it’s so apparent to me that the Lord was working in all of this, leading and guiding me through so many amazing opportunities, and eventually here! And through it all, of course my love for skateboarding and action sports grew, but so did my faith.

As my time at GCU came to a close, I started to pray through what it would look like to dive into this opportunity to spread the gospel through skateboarding at a larger capacity. I spent that summer working to save as much money as possible, praying that the Lord would open the door and allow me to dive into this passion further. This was when I heard about Ride Nature, I applied and was accepted to the discipleship program in Florida. I was blessed to spend the fall/winter of 2021 alongside Ride, diving deeper into my faith as well as learning and seeing how the Lord uses skateboarders, surfers, and mountain bikers to be a light in a community that so desperately needs it. While living in Florida I was able to learn what local outreach at skateparks looks like. I was also blessed with the opportunity to attend multiple industry events, and even went to Peru on a mission trip. Through events like these, I encountered so many people who share the same love for action sports and got to minister to them by being a light and encouragement. I believe we all have our own special gifts and unique experiences that help us to connect with people and spread the Good News that is Jesus.

head back to Phoenix.

I spent the last few years living and working in Phoenix, where I was blessed to have an amazing support system and friends around me. I enjoyed my working as a barista and manager in the coffee industry, but in the back of my mind I could not shake the call that I felt to pursue sports ministry long term.

God doesn't call the equipped, but He equips the Called.

I remember praying and asking the Lord to use me as a vessel for the Gospel, nervous but willing to follow where He led and would open doors. The desire to be used by Him for something way bigger than myself is what continued to push me, and gave me the ability to go on other trips with Ride Nature. I stayed connected with the team while living in Phoenix and different opportunities would arise, but it just never seemed to be quite the right time, so I continued praying. I remember learning about the California Headquarters opening up. The Lord really met me where I was in life, and started preparing me and shaping my character and heart for the season I would enter. I saw multiple doors close and open up for the possibility to come out here and be a part of an amazing team of people that are all so dedicated to the mission of reaching people not only locally but to the ends of the earth. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

I feel extremely fortunate to be in the position I am in today, serving alongside Ride Nature and I am so excited to see what the Lord does over the next few years with this ministry.

I truly believe that this is the area in which the Lord is calling me to step into, boldly & humbly. I have peace that this is what I am called to and that the Lord will continue to provide and equip me with the tools needed to live it out.

With that being said, I would like to graciously ask all of you to be praying for a smooth transition as this next chapter of my life unfolds. As you may or may not know, stepping into a full time ministry position presents a unique set of challenges and requires a certain degree of sacrifice. Each staff member of the organization is encouraged to partake in raising financial support as a full time missionary. As this will be the main source of my monthly income, I am praying for the ability to cultivate a strong & consistent team of monthly financial supporters to help me reach my monthly goal of $3,100. The funds raised by this family of supporters will contribute to my day to day living expenses, such as rent, food, transportation, gas, bills, travel etc. Those of you who do feel called to give financially, especially on a consistent/monthly basis I can not thank you enough, I am beyond grateful for any amount you feel called to give! If you are unable to support me in this way, your support through prayer would mean the world to me. It is truly the network of support that will truly make this endeavor of bringing the gospel To The Ends Of The Earth a sustainable reality for me.

It is with a full & grateful heart that I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support!

JOSH BAKER
Local Outreach Leader // Ride Nature California
joshbaker@ridenature.com

prayer requests

  • The courage to fully embrace & utilize the unique gifts God has placed within me to serve his Kingdom and Ride Nature to the best of my ability.

  • That I may be blessed with a strong and consistent family of financial supporters who allow the calling of this new season to be a sustainable reality.

  • As I acclimate to living in Oceanside that I would find a strong church as well as a community to be poured into by and to serve alongside with. 

CURRENT FINANCIAL NEED: $3100 / 22 DONORS

  • 2 donors at $500 a month 

  • 4 donors at $250 a month

  • 6 donors at $100 a month

  • 10 donors at $50 a month

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS

206 North Coast Highway
Unit 302
Oceanside, CA 92054