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| God’s Word for surfers BRAZIL — With its white sand, open aspect and strong waves, Tombo Beach in the popular tourist destination of Guarujá attracts large numbers of surfers. It was a fitting location, then, for the launch in September of a Scripture product aimed specifically at the surfing community. Working with the Christian Surfers Mission
(CSM), the Bible Society of Brazil (BSB) developed
the Biblia Do Surfista (‘Surfer’s Bible’). Described
by Paulo Teixeira, the Society’s Translation
and Publishing Secretary, as “a Bible made by
surfers, for surfers,” this publication contains the
New Testament, explanatory notes, and testimonies
from former and current well-known surfers. Using
the New Translation in Today’s Language in Portuguese
and featuring a contemporary graphic design,
it is both visually appealing and easy to read.
“Many people have access to the Bible, but only
a few of them read it,” says Sérgio Busatto, National
Director of CSM. “That’s like having a board
and never surfing on it. This is a special Bible,
developed for surfers from the most varied backgrounds.
Our expectation is that everyone finds here
the Creator of the waves they love to surf.”
The popular surfers whose testimonies appear in
the Surfer’s Bible include Jojó de Olivença, twotime
Brazilian champion, who explains that his
relationship with Christ was vital to keep him focused
during competitions and to help him cope
God’s Word for surfers
with the pressures of fame. “I felt a deep dissatisfaction,”
he says, “since I knew that surfing could only
fill part of my life.” (Mr Olivença’s full testimony is
in WR 395/24).
While undertaking market research for the Surfer’s
Bible, the BSB found that the Church does not
always have a positive view of surfers. It hopes this
product will help to reverse that opinion.
“The Surfer’s Bible presents the Gospel in a way
that appeals to surfers,” says Mr Teixeira, “but it
also does more than that. It can help transform the
Church’s view of surfers. We can learn from them.
They love Creation. They understand the importance
of play and recreation. They have a tremendous
awareness of ecological issues.”
As its market research found limited enthusiasm,
the BSB anticipated only modest sales of the Surfer’s
Bible. CSM agreed to purchase 3,000 copies. A
further 7,000 were printed in order to obtain a low
unit cost, but the BSB thought it would take two
years to sell these. In fact, the entire print run sold
out immediately.
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