Making good waves

Some surfers describe riding waves as a spiritual experience. A growing movement in Newport Beach seeks to make it a religious one, too.

Christian Surfers, an international organization with a chapter in Newport Beach, encourages surfers to get involved in the community to show young people that Christianity doesn’t have to mean long sermons, organ music and people twice their age.

“A lot of people don’t feel comfortable in a church setting,” said Josh Peevyhouse, one of the group’s organizers. “They like to wear sandals and shorts.”

Peevyhouse strummed praise songs, modern hymns accompanied by rock music, while about 20 young men and women sang along in the living room of a Costa Mesa house Thursday. Several attendees had been coming for years, but there was also some of first-timers.

The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the hosts were anything but rude and inconsiderate, a criticism leveled against many surfers, ironically.

Luke Takahashi, one of the longest-tenured members, said that attracting new people is integral to the group’s goal.

“We like the high turnover,” Takahashi said, looking out at all of the unfamiliar faces in the room. “People filter through our group into local congregations, and that’s our mission.”

A lot of people are drawn to Christian Surfers by Christian surf videos produced by like-minded group Walking on Water, Takahashi said. Walking on Water’s self-titled film will play Sunday at the Edwards Big Newport theater, and a big crowd is expected for the free showing.

Bryan Jennings, the film’s producer, likes that his movies are a magnet for Christian Surfers.

“We’ve kind of been sister organizations for the past 10 years,” Jennings said. “Our movies help them grow their chapters.”

Walking on Water’s film “Noah’s Arc,” attracted 150,000 viewers over its two-year, 20-country run.

Christian Surfers focuses most of its efforts on being noticed in a positive way. They meet twice a month, on Thursdays, and get together outside of their regular meetings for diverse activities such as serving free coffee and doughnuts on the beach and playing sports with “needy” local youth in West Costa Mesa.

“It’s not about preaching to people. It’s just about showing people that there are Christians out there that are ‘cool,’” Peevyhouse said, with a sheepish grin on his face.

IF YOU GO

“Walking on Water” movie

WHEN: Sunday, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Edwards Big Newport, 300 Newport Center Drive

COST: Free

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com.