March 20, 2025
During spring break, a team of 22 students from East Texas Baptist University’s Baptist Student Ministry participated in Beach Reach, a ministry outreach in South Padre Island. Through service, prayer, and evangelism, the students provided free transportation, meals, and spiritual guidance to spring breakers visiting the island.
“Throughout the week, I felt the joy of walking in the work we were called to do,” Malaya Lewis, a freshman Criminal Justice major, said. “I also experienced sadness when people rejected Jesus, but that did not stop me from sharing God’s love. A highlight was seeing two girls we led to Christ get baptized. Another moment was when I shared my testimony with a young man named Diego, who felt broken but wanted to get closer to God. In the end, he recommitted his life to Jesus.”
From Sunday through Thursday, ETBU’s Beach Reach team operated a free shuttle service from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Callers could request a safe and free ride anywhere on the island. Additionally, during the day, Beach Reach vans decorated with Beach Reach Shuttle stickers could be flagged down for transportation.
Each night, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Beach Reach teams also served a midnight pancake breakfast outside a local bar, marked by bright yellow banners and tents. This location also served as a hotspot for shuttle pickups. From Monday through Thursday, a morning pancake outreach took place in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For many students, Beach Reach was a powerful experience that strengthened their faith and deepened their commitment to ministry.
“Everything we did at Beach Reach started with prayer,” Peyton Hodge, a junior Child Development major said. “We prayed before giving free rides, when we received calls, and while our teammates were driving. One of the most incredible moments was witnessing a student named Isaiah surrender his life to Christ after hearing the testimonies of our team. There is power in prayer, and intentionality is a huge aspect of being an ambassador for Christ.”
Beach Reach was a transformational week for ETBU students, both in their faith and in their ability to share the Gospel. As the mission trip concluded, the team asked for continued prayers for those they encountered.
“Throughout the trip, the Lord has continually reminded me of Psalm 23—that even when walking through dark and uncertain moments, I need not fear, for He is my Shepherd,” Luis Correa, a sophomore Criminal Justice major said. “Initially, I felt anxious about sharing the gospel, unsure of how to approach people, but I have since realized that this mission is not about me – it is about glorifying Jesus Christ.”
Beach Reach began in 1980 with 20 students who had a vision to reach their peers and serve the city of South Padre during spring break. The special missions emphasis has progressively developed into the extensive ministry it is today.