Zachary Ifland ’07 is living a life of faith, service, and adventure through his work with Surfing the Nations (STN). Initially introduced to the organization as an undergraduate student at Azusa Pacific University, Ifland has served on numerous mission trips across the world, with a base in Baja California. He is blessed to serve alongside his wife and fellow APU alumna, Charis, as they follow God’s calling. Through faith and community, Ifland is fulfilled through doing kingdom work while adventuring across the beauty of God’s creation.
Ifland reflected on discovering the organization he would later work for, thinking back to a day on Cougar Walk. “I was introduced to Surfing the Nations through APU’s Global Mission Week,” said Ifland. “I wanted to go on a surf trip with friends, and found this amazing opportunity to do ministry and humanitarian work while surfing.” Feeling called to this mission field, Ifland set off on a new adventure. “I traveled the whole summer after graduating, going to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Japan, and truly fell in love with mission work,” said Ifland.
After starting his APU journey as a transfer student from Arizona State, Ifland was
looking for a new kind of community. “I was looking for a Christian school, coming
from the opposite environment,” said Ifland.
Loving the open conversations around faith and theology, Ifland began to build his
community on campus. With intimate class sizes and deep introspection, APU was a great
switch for Ifland from a large state school. “Community is key in our lives as Christians,”
said Ifland. “It was amazing to go to a university where you could not only get a
great education, but really be stretched and grow in your faith alongside your fellow
students.” Being able to foster not only his educational journey but his development
as a follower of Christ helped Ifland to commit to this life of mission work. “I’ve
always believed your character is your foundation, and your education rests on that,”
said Ifland. “APU does an amazing job at working to serve both. It was a phenomenal
investment for all that I have gotten to do following my time at APU.”
After graduating with a degree in communication management, Ifland started working full-time with STN. “I flew back to Hawaii the summer after
I graduated, and realized that I could stay and continue doing this work,” said Ifland.
“I’ve been involved for 17 years now, on a full-time mission with my wife. We’ve helped
to build their training programs, leadership teams, and continue to lead teams all
around the world on missions.” Continuing to adventure throughout his life, Ifland
has consistently pursued growth. “So much has changed from when I started, as this
single college graduate, to now being a husband and father,” said Ifland.
With a life centered on mission work, Ifland puts his faith into practice every day. “Doing missions and running nonprofits has challenged and grown my faith in so many ways,” said Ifland. “Something amazing happens when you place yourself in a setting you aren’t familiar with. You’re challenged to ask why: Why am I fasting this way? Why do I pray this way? Why do I believe what I do?” Whether he’s leading interns and college students on short-term missions, helping plant home bases, or working behind the scenes of STN, Ifland constantly strives to be a light for other people. For over 17 years, Ifland and his wife have worked to follow the path God gave them. “You can see the ways that God moves when you look backward. For me, it was seeing all the ways my life could have gone, and now seeing the way that God has placed me on His path,” said Ifland.
Adventuring across the world, Ifland has seen the beauty of God’s creation firsthand. He’s met people from many cultures, backgrounds, and walks of faith. Through it all, the joy of God stands out to him. “God is fun. He’s the creator of all things good, and so these adventures and fun moments are all His,” said Ifland. “Traveling the world, you truly see all the things He’s created—culture, food, and traditions across the globe. But the core of it for me has been fun. God has created these purely joyful moments.” As he continues to surf, minister, and rest in the joy of God, Ifland hopes that more people will feel called to the mission of Surfing the Nations and invest in adventure and Kingdom work.