The History of BeachReach
In 1980 Buddy Young, who was a seminary student and part-time Baptist Student Ministry director in Dallas, took a small group of students to South Padre Island, Texas, during Spring Break. The group camped in tents on the island and shared the gospel with Spring Breakers as God provided the opportunities. Several years later they began to notice that transportation was a problem, especially during the week of Spring Break. The group realized that they could minister to Spring Breakers by providing free rides. As they picked up Spring Breakers, they shared the gospel with them, and so began the van ministry. Soon free breakfast was added to the list of ways the group ministered while in South Padre. In 1995 the South Padre BeachReach model expanded to Panama City Beach, Florida. The importance of focusing on sharing the gospel with college students on Spring Break through the “Acts of Kindness” has served as the hallmark of BeachReach.
Recent Articles written about Beachreach PCB
"Beach Reach participation brings student full circle"-(Arkansas Baptist News)-2025
"Maryland students return to Panama City for another fruitful week of ministry"-(BCMD News)-2025
"SCBaptist Students Sent to Share the Gospel at BeachReach"-(SC Baptist News)-2025
"Sand, Surf, and the Savior"-(TN B&R News)-2025
"College Ministers Reflect on BeachReach’s Unique Evangelism"-(TN B&R News)-2025
Other Articles written about Beachreach PCB over the years
"A Different Kind of Spring Break Trip"-Baptist & Reflector (TN B&R News)-2024
"Pancake Ministry: A Perfect Storm of Kingdom Partners"-Baptist & Reflector (TN B&R Paper)-2024
"Arkansas BCM students serve, share Gospel over spring break"-(Arkansas Baptist News)-2024
"BeachReach: free rides, pancakes, Gospel encounters" (2019-Baptist Press)
"Spring breakers find Jesus ‘by surprise’ during BeachReach" (2014-Baptist Press)
"Spring Break: Where Life-Saving Ministry Meets Life-Changing Pancakes" (2013-Baptist Press)
Here are the Totals for the 4 weeks of 2025 as well as week by week:
BeachReach PCB TOTALS FOR OVER 3 WEEKS
BeachReachers 1,847
Rides Given 25,264
Prayed for 17,665
Gospel Conversations 13,905
Salvations 745 (& many more spiritual decisions)
BeachReach PCB WEEK 1
BeachReachers 306
Rides Given 2,533
Prayed for 2,250
Gospel Conversations 444
Salvations 19
BeachReach PCB WEEK 2
BeachReachers 589
Rides Given 7,961
Prayed for 6,120
Gospel Conversations 6,136
Salvations 212
BeachReach PCB WEEK 3
BeachReachers 703
Rides Given 10,373
Prayed for 4,536
Gospel Conversations 3,231
Salvations 110
BeachReach PCB WEEK 4
BeachReachers 306
Rides Given 4,397
Prayed for 4,759
Gospel Conversations 4,094
Salvations 412
Recent Articles written about Beachreach PCB 2025
"Beach Reach participation brings student full circle"-(Arkansas Baptist News)-2025
"Maryland students return to Panama City for another fruitful week of ministry"-(BCMD News)-2025
"Not your average spring break: Sharing Jesus one ride at a time"-(The Baptist Record-MS)-2025
"SCBaptist Students Sent to Share the Gospel at BeachReach"-(SC Baptist News)-2025
"Sand, Surf, and the Savior"-(TN B&R News)-2025
"College Ministers Reflect on BeachReach’s Unique Evangelism"-(TN B&R News)-2025
PANCAKES FOR ALL
In 2014, a documentary was shot on the BeachReach experience in Panama City Beach, FL. The elements of this video provides you a clear perspective on the impact of BeachReach over the years.