Cornwall's 'underground' mission

It sounds like a far-fetched military exercise, to extend London's underground rail system towards the north coast of Cornwall. In fact, tubestation is a Christian outreach project aimed at the hundreds of surfers who flock to Cornwall throughout the year.

Based in a chapel on the edge of Polzeath beach, organisers see the initiative as a potential bridge between surfing and the gospel. 'We want to provide a safe place to ask questions ... and drink coffee,' says Methodist minister Gareth Hill. With funding now in place to support an outreach worker for three years, tubestation hopes to catch the wave when Scripture Union begins its summer mission later this year.

And why 'tubestation'? 'Tube' is a surfing term for the huge rolling wave tunnels that skilled surfers can tuck inside. tubestation offers a platform from which to see the wave approaching - and God too.

MORE INFORMATION

See www.tubestation.org.

For other examples of 'Fresh Expressions', a DVD has been launched, featuring BBC presenter Diane-Louise Jordan. See www.freshexpressions.org.uk