Christian Surfers are using the sand and surf of Cronulla to help the healing process between Sydney's Lebanese and Anglo communities.
Over 20 Muslim Lebanese youth from the Bankstown area joined a dozen Christian surfers at Cronulla's Wanda beach last Sunday for a day of surfing and bonding.
President and Mission Coordinator of the Cronulla branch of Christian Surfers, Daniel Zietsch says the day helped fulfil the group's mission of being a Christian presence and witness to the entire surfing community.
"We want to show this community that we care and be peacemakers in this situation," says the St Luke's, Miranda parishioner.
"If no one put their hand up and asked these Lebanese guys to come to Cronulla they wouldn't have felt welcome here."
The idea for the day came out of discussions between members of Christian Surfers and leaders of Sydney's Muslim community after a forum on Channel 9's "60 Minutes' last month.
Four of Christian Surfers' members, including Mr Zietsch and Christian youth motivational speaker, Brett Murray, were invited to contribute to the television forum.
"We made some contacts afterwards and discussed how we could help the situation in Cronulla," Mr Zietsch says.
Around 20 Muslim Lebanese youth from the Punchbowl and Bankstown areas accepted the Christian Surfers' invitation to learn how to surf at Cronulla's Wanda beach.
"They were apprehensive about being there," acknowledges Mr Murray.
"It was the first time any of them had been to Cronulla since the [December] riots."
"It ended up being the most sensational afternoon. A lot of the Lebanese guys were naturally talented and the Christian Surfers were very warm and welcoming," Mr Murray says.
Mr Zietsch says the main purpose of the day was to let members of Sydney's Lebanese community know that the beach is for everyone and they are welcome at the beach anytime.
"All Christians are called to be peacemakers. As Jesus says in the Sermon on Mount, "blessed are the peacemakers'. Christian Surfers are about building up God's kingdom," Mr Zietsch says.
The Lebanese youth were very appreciative of the friendship displayed by the Christian Surfers.
"They were saying things like "we were really hesitant to come down but you guys are great. Thanks for taking us out'," Mr Zietsch says.
"They asked questions about what we do and we got to talk about Christian Surfers and what we do as Christians. We definitely want to do this again," he says.
Mr Murray, who grew up in Bankstown, has been associated with Christian surfers for 17 years and was pleased to see a new generation of Bankstown youth being welcomed into the world of Christian Surfers.
"For many of the Bankstown boys it was the first time they had ever touched a surfboard," he says.
"It was a great opportunity to live the gospel and a practical way of doing what Jesus did by showing unconditional love to these guys."
