Michael Volland's book 'God On The Beach' describes how a reluctant young surfer joined a beach mission that changed his life - it's the real story of what God is doing on British beaches in the 21st century.

Mike Rimmer

Mike Rimmer met Michael when he appeared on his radio show Rimmerama.

When you think about Beach Missions, it's impossible to get away from thinking that it's a few middle aged people singing hymns on a beach dressed in unfashionable suits while everybody else ignores them and has fun. Newquay is the surf capital of the UK and life on the beach has its own unique brand of culture. Sun, sex, surfing, drugs and alcohol are all part of the scene. In 'God On The Beach' Michael Volland gives us a grassroots view of the scene as he joins a modern beach mission, Dawn Patrol, trying to make an impact. It's an honest account, full of surprises and humour and Michael's surprise to find God doing stuff.

Rimmer: What is it about surfing that got you into it in the first place?

Volland: I was into the skate scene in a big way in my late teens but had a really nasty break and lost my enthusiasm. The film 'Point Break' had just come out and the images of Patrick Swazey paddling out into giant surf at the end of the film totally inspired me. At uni in Newcastle I moved into a house with the captain of the surf team. He lent me a board and a wetsuit and I started heading out to the coast (half an hour away) to surf two or three times a week.

Rimmer: What do you think characterises the beach/surfer community that you're trying to reach?

Volland: A love of life, love of fun, the importance of friendships, it's that kind of thing. I think most of the people we found ourselves speaking to just wanted to get the most out of life that they could and have a laugh with their friends. I don't think God is really on the radar for many of these people but they are aware of a 'spiritual' dimension to life.

Rimmer: For some segments of the church, reaching the surfer culture is a daunting task and can be intimidating, why do you think that is?

Volland: Any subculture can look intimidating from outside. Tribes define themselves with their dress and their music and surfers are quite a well-defined, often tight-knit tribe so trying to break into that and share something about Jesus can look impossible. Although it's true that beneath the appearances people are just people, we have to realise that God calls us all to work in different areas. It's about being real. There are guys and girls out there who love Jesus and surfing. These are (perhaps) the people best placed to share Jesus with other surfers because they are just being themselves.

Rimmer: The book talks about the way God has changed you, originally you were very reluctant to be at the beach mission and now look at you! What were the main issues you were dealing with?

Volland: I guess I was dealing with doubt and fear. Doubt that God could or would do anything significant if I took a risk and spoke to people about him. Fear that I'd have to somehow put on an 'act' to tell people about Jesus, fear that I'd be ridiculed or insulted, fear that I believed in this irrelevant thing that no one else was interested in.
The book tells the story of how God dealt with all of these. God stepped up and did some miraculous things, no one got offended and plenty of people were well up for talking about Jesus! I was proved wrong on every count.

Rimmer: Prayer seems to have played a big part in the impact Dawn Patrol has made, can you give some examples of God answering your prayers on the beach.

Volland: Not without giving away the content of the book!
The only one I'll mention is the night when the team prayed there would be no drugs available (almost impossible to imagine in Newquay). Sure enough, for one night, there were no drugs whatsoever on the beach. We were being asked all night and chatting to people who were trying to score but just couldn't. Awesome!

Rimmer: What are you hoping will happen when people read the book, what are you wanting them to take away?

Volland: I want Christians to be inspired and encouraged. I want non-Christians to be challenged to re-think their pre-conceptions about God.
Lots of Christians are dealing with doubt and fear about their faith - particularly about sharing their faith.

The book shows that God can come up with the goods here and now if we step out and trust him. It also shows quite clearly that if we can just be ourselves then sharing our faith flows naturally and can touch other people in a profound way. Our generation haven't rejected Jesus - they can't because they don't know anything about him - so they are up for hearing about him and talking things through with Christians who are respectful and honest.

I would love it if the book helped even a few Christians to realise that they have a great story to tell, that people want to hear and that God will back up with real-time evidence!

Rimmer: What about your life now? You're at vicar school aren't you? Isn't that a bit of a longshot for a surfer dude?

Volland: Someone's got to be a vicar so I figured it might as well be a surfer! Seriously though, it's more that you've got to go where you feel God is calling you. God made it really clear that he was calling me to train for ordination in the Church of England. I don't know what he's got planned but I know I'm in the right place and that's got to be enough. I reckon there are awesome times ahead for the good old Church of England. There's a stack of us training here at theological college who are expecting God to do radical things in this nation! The future looks exciting!