ABOUT THE TRIP

“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father.” - JI Packer

Imagine growing up without a father. No one to throw a football or baseball with. No one to teach you how to dribble a basketball or shoot hoops. A home where a mother does everything she can just to make ends meet. For over 60% of the youth in South Africa, this is the reality.

Over 15 years ago, South African local, Chris van de Merwe founded Inspired to Become to invest into the lives of the next generation, helping youth become the men and women God created them to be. The skatepark may not have beds and kids might not sleep there, but for many, the park is their home. It’s not just a place where they go—but it is a place there they live. It is where they come alive.

South Africa’s unemployment rate is nearly 1 in 3. The percentage of kids growing up without a father is more than double that. There’s no quick fix. The youth may not have a father at home—but at the skatepark they have someone who is not only like a father but they are being pointed toward and taught about their perfect Heavenly Father who will never leave them. It is this Father who is rewriting their story.

We are honored to bring you Episode 17, "South Africa".

Full film coming April 27th - South Africa's National Day of Freedom.


EPISODE LOCATION:
Cape Town, South Africa

 

EPISODE TRAILER

PRAYER REQUESTS
& LONG TERM VISION

It is our desire to see a permanent HQ of Ride Nature established in South Africa that would serve the majority of the continent in the equipping and empowering of leaders. We are praying alongside Chris for wisdom and discernment on where, when, and with who.

We would love to invite you to partner alongside us in this prayer to see leaders trained, equipped, and mobilized across Africa to use action sports as a tool for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship.

To learn more or to partner with us through one of our trips visit: ridenature.org/trips.

 
 

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

1 john 3:1a

 
 
 
 

CREDIT/THANKS

PRODUCED BY:
The Ride Nature Organization
DIRECTED BY:
Mark Koch
FILMED BY:
Chris Smith
EDITED BY:
Chris Smith
PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
Brent Van Auken

A HUGE SHOUT OUT AND SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE THAT MADE THIS TRIP POSSIBLE. TO OUR FAMILIES WHO ENCOURAGED US TO GO, TO THOSE WHO GAVE FINANCIALLY, AND TO EVERYONE WHO WAS PRAYING, WE COULDN’T DO THIS WORK WITHOUT YOU!

CHRIS, THANK YOU FOR HOSTING US AND KEEPING US ON OUR TOES WITH ONE OF THE GNARLIEST RUN AND GUN TRIPS WE’VE BEEN A PART OF! WE ARE BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR LEADERS LIKE YOU THAT WE GET TO WORK AND SERVE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO SEE EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN THE ACTION SPORTS COMMUNITY REACHED WITH THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!

TO THE ENDS

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