From Broken Beginnings to Kingdom Impact: Chris Chon’s Story

Chris grew up in Southern California, surrounded by the surf but also by instability. His childhood was marked by constant moving, a broken home, and the challenges of an abusive father struggling with addiction. Despite being introduced to surfing at a young age, life was far from steady. By his teenage years, Chris found himself caught up in partying and searching for meaning in all the wrong places.

Everything began to change when his family relocated to Alaska. Far from the waves and familiarity of California, Chris encountered a group of young Christians who stood out in a surprising way—they were full of joy without the partying lifestyle he was used to. That moment sparked curiosity, and over time, led him to give his life to Jesus.

From there, Chris’s journey took a radical turn. He joined YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Hawaii, where his passion for mission began to grow. It was also there that he met his wife and began to sense a calling beyond himself. Eventually, that calling led him to Taiwan—a place he initially knew very little about.

While traveling along Taiwan’s coastline for the first time, Chris noticed something unusual: empty, unridden waves. What he didn’t realize at the time was that surfing culture was still developing due to historical restrictions on ocean access. What he saw wasn’t just empty surf—it was opportunity.

Chris stepped out in faith and began pioneering Christian Surfers in Taiwan. The early years were tough. With just a small team, limited resources, and plenty of uncertainty, the work often felt like a grind. There were moments of burnout and even seasons where stepping back was necessary to reset and rebuild.

But God remained faithful.

Over time, the ministry grew. Leaders were raised up, teams expanded, and momentum began to build. Today, Chris has stepped into a new role as East Asia Regional Coordinator, supporting emerging Christian Surfers movements across countries like Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

His vision is simple but powerful: to see local surfers reached with the gospel and to equip communities across Asia to become sending hubs for mission.

Chris’s story is a reminder that God can take even the most unlikely beginnings and turn them into something deeply impactful—for His kingdom and His glory.

As part of our Easter Death2Life series you can check out Chris’s own story on the CSI Podcast…check the links in the menu.