During Spring Break, while thousands of college students gathered on the beaches of South Padre Island for a week of reckless partying and binge drinking, over 400 Christian students volunteered their time to spread the gospel to their peers.
They are part of the Baptist Student Ministry groups from campuses across Texas and beyond participating in Beach Reach, a week long event where students hope to share their faith with Spring Break vacationers through servant evangelism.
Dr. Buddy Young, Director of West Texas A&M University Baptist Student Ministry, started the program in 1980 wanting to fulfill the spiritual needs of the students. However, he quickly came to the realization that appealing to the students' physical needs were just as important.
"They have a spiritual need to see things differently as well as physical needs like transportation, sunscreen and food. I discovered that people won't listen unless you're giving them things that they need," Young said.
This year, 23 groups participated in the South Padre Island Beach Reach and according to Young, finding volunteers is not an issue.
"We never have to recruit people," Young said, "as soon as they hear about what we're doing they want to help."
The Beach Reach ministry spread their message in a number of ways with no strings attached. They served free pancakes daily at Island Baptist Church and in front of a bar, gave free van rides around the island, helped students carry things around the beach, and offered an ear to anyone in need.
Thomas Johnson, a youth leader in Bethany United Methodist Church, enjoys telling about God's love and has participated in the program for three years.
"The goal is to help people and show God's love. We gave rides around the island from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. mainly so they don't drive drunk," Johnson said.
Tracy Boothby, a sophomore at Austin Community College, participated in Beach Reach for the first time this year.
"I enjoyed it and would do it again," Boothby said.
Boothby said the students don't try to force religion on the people they offer to help.
"We offered to talk or listen if they needed. We pray if they want, but don't force it on them," Boothby said.
Texas State sophomore, Carlos Rocha, spent his Spring Break with friends in South Padre Island and noticed the Beach Reach posters and vans all over the island.
"Their vans had numbers and messages painted on the windows. You could call if you were far away from your hotel room and too drunk to drive," Rocha said. "Not only did they help us get home safely, but they also served free breakfast in the early morning near the most popular bars."
"I thought it was a nice gesture seeing as how the church generally looks down on binge drinking and other stuff that goes on at South Padre Island during spring break. Instead of looking down on the visiting college students, they just tried to help minimize accidents. They even said a prayer for us before getting out of the van."
"I enjoyed it and would do it again," Boothby said.
Boothby said the students don't try to force religion on the people they offer to help.
"We offered to talk or listen if they needed. We pray if they want, but don't force it on them," Boothby said.
Texas State sophomore, Carlos Rocha, spent his Spring Break with friends in South Padre Island and noticed the Beach Reach posters and vans all over the island.
"Their vans had numbers and messages painted on the windows. You could call if you were far away from your hotel room and too drunk to drive," Rocha said. "Not only did they help us get home safely, but they also served free breakfast in the early morning near the most popular bars."
"I thought it was a nice gesture seeing as how the church generally looks down on binge drinking and other stuff that goes on at South Padre Island during spring break. Instead of looking down on the visiting college students, they just tried to help minimize accidents. They even said a prayer for us before getting out of the van."
Photos courtesy of Tracy Boothby
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