 The dates for the next Polzeath Family Mission are 28th July to 9th August 2013.
Polzeath Family Mission (PFM) is based around a group of enthusiastic and dynamic Christians from all over Britain who want to share the truth about Jesus Christ to the holiday makers and surfers on the beach. We also aim to encourage and teach the Bible to the young people who come along.
The mission is designed for children, teenagers and all the family offering a variety of activities throughout the day to appeal to everyone. All activities are free and run by lively volunteers in accordance with the Children’s Act. Polzeath Family Mission is one of many missions associated with Scripture Union and has been running since the 1950s.
As well as exciting family events throughout the week, there are regular afternoon roadshows, a coffee house open during the morning and family church services on Sundays, all providing a regular meeting place for adults and children of all ages.
Visit http://www.polzeathfamilymission.org.uk for more information and to find out about joining the team.
Did you know that the recent trend of ‘flash mob ministry’ has started in Cornwall? Various ministries are taking this idea to the 2012 Olympics for outreach and, from experience, we can tell you that it’s a FANTASTIC idea because we’ve seen it in action right here! (Video & photos are at the bottom of this article.)
On 2 July 2012, we welcomed a group of 20 Americans (15 students plus their leaders) to Souls Harbour Church in Camelford, Cornwall. We lined up a week full of activities that included practical service to the church and community and evangelistic outreach events. At our Saturday ‘beach reach’ at Polzeath Beach on 7 July and again on Sunday 8 July at a baptism service at Trebarwith Beach, our large group of teens used the ‘flash mob’ method to draw in an instant crowd of spectators from the surrounding area. It was brilliant!
With a powerful, battery-powered PA inconspicuously waiting in a trolly, the kids would spread out to explore and play around Polzeath Beach, then at a predetermined time and location, music suddenly filled the air and within seconds the beach came to life with choreographed dance! Everyone nearby would stop to watch and listen. As soon as the music stopped, the microphone was in the hand of one of the students sharing their testimony (their personal story of coming to know Jesus) before the crowd had a chance to disperse. Then as soon as that finished, the music started up and the team performed a brief but powerful evangelistic drama, then another testimony, then another group ‘flash mob’ style dance. It was the perfect style of ministry for a location like that. We did this three different places and times on the beach that day, and each time people stopped to ask what was happening and why. In fact, news reports and photographs show Prince William and Prince Harry hanging out and surfing on that very beach at the very time we were there! Who knows?! Perhaps they heard or saw some of the ministry that took place!
The next day we utilized the same method to draw attention to our baptisms at Trebarwith Beach when six teens were baptised. Throughout the summer as weather permits, we are continuing to take ‘beach reach’ events to local beaches to share the love of Jesus Christ and the hope of salvation through Him.
It’s exciting to see how cultural trends can be incorporated into Christian outreach to create ministry that is fresh, relevant and effective. We hope that the story of our experiences will inspire your church or ministry to reach out to your community in new and creative ways! Contact us or visit us online at www.soulsharbour.com. If you like the song used for the flash mob dance, click here for this and more music by Trevor & Connie (founders of UK for Jesus and worship leaders at Souls Harbour Church).
 The outreach team hosted by Souls Harbour Church performing their ‘flash mob’ dance to draw a crowd at Polzeath Beach.  Six local teenagers being baptised at Trebarwith Beach by David Flanders, Pastor of Souls Harbour Church in Camelford  Trevor Smith, worship leader at Souls Harbour Church, sharing his testimony during a Beach Reach event at Crackington Haven
 Tubestation’s Surf Lounge, Polzeath overlooking Polzeath beach.
Geared up to be as multifunctional as the space will allow, the Surf Lounge has a café which serves the best home-made and locally sourced produce, which is organic where possible. Where food or drink has to be imported, such as coffee or chocolate, it is always Fair Trade. Everything they sell has a story, and every penny of profit they make is ploughed, or sometimes just furrowed, back into the charity. This helps them to stay open through the lean winter months for the benefit of the community, when every bit of business sense would say shut up shop and take off to Bali until Easter.
The Surf Lounge uses ‘Hand On Coffee‘ blends, including their own Polzeath Roast, ‘TUBE TIME‘, as well as Clipper teas, Divine chocolate from the fair trade chocolate producers of the Ivory Coast, and Burt’s Crisps from the lovely Burt’s people who even tell you who hand-fried your crisps. The kitchen also offers continental deluxe hot chocolate, home-made soups of the day, smoothies and shakes, home-made cakes, scones and cookies. And if you’re after a thirst quencher, grab a Pure Blue water or Juicy Nature fresh pressed juice from the fridge.
But the really cool thing is that, unlike most eateries, you don’t have to eat or drink anything, in fact you can even bring your own if you really want. You can just chill out and enjoy yourself. Read the papers. Surf the net on your laptop, or use one of the Tubestation’s. Skate the ramp. Fly a Lego X-wing on the Nintendo Wii. Watch a surf movie and get psyched up for your next session. Play Monopoly. Have a shower. Fall asleep on a massive Fat Sac beanbag. Do what you like, seriously, no pressure. You won’t be expected to buy anything and you won’t be hassled for your seats. Just…be. That’s the beauty of the seed, bro.
The Surf Lounge is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm through the winter. Everybody welcome. For more information contact: enquiries@tubestation.org, 01208 869200 or http://tubestation.org/polzeath/surf-lounge/.
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