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
Gospel Centered - This is at the core of all that we do. Without the Gospel, everything is in vain.
Intentional in Relationship Building - We believe in being intentional with every relationship and individual put in front of us.
Discipleship Focused - In order for the ministry to grow and the Gospel to advance, discipleship is key.
Empowering Others - Supporting indigenous leaders and those ready to serve where they are, who know the culture, language, and customs.
Hopeful Expectation - Our hope is to expect the best out of those we feel the Lord leads to the ministry. We believe trust is given, mistrust is earned.
Leading by Example - "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." - Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1) That we can represent Jesus and set a strong example of Christ followers.
Consistency in Ministry - Letting our yes be yes and no be no. Serving and watering the seeds that are planted consistently is very important for us.
Perseverance and Endurance - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
Raw and Humble - By the world's standards, our team is a group of misfits; but we firmly believe that God equips those He calls, He doesn't just call the equipped. We are a humble team seeking to serve to the best of our ability.
Eternally Minded - Our life is short. We desire to make the most of it every day.
Stewardship Conscious - Making the most of every resource given to us and using those to the fullness of their potential.
Accountability Emphasizing - We need each other to stay focused on Jesus and to continue to learn what it means to die to ourselves.
Church Planters/Partners - Where the church does not exist, our goal is to partner with others to plant a church community. Where it does, our goal is to support, lift up, and unify.
Sustainability Driven - We are driven by a vision to develop sustainable ministry models and are working on developing ways to empower leaders this way.
Unreached Targeting - The fact that there are people who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ keeps us awake at night...until every ear hears.
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)