Terry Legg has been a Life Saver for over 40 years. He holds the Bronze Medallion and is qualified in Advanced Resuscitation, First Aid, and Defibrillator He also holds the Silver Medallion for Inflatable Rescue Boat Driver (IRB), Life Support and Patrol Captain. To say that he “understands” life saving would be an understatement. Yet Terry’s commitment to risk his own life in order to save others goes far beyond physical rescue. He is concerned about the aspect of the swimmer that lasts beyond the final swim—his or her soul.

Terry and his wife Maureen co-ordinate an AIA-based chaplaincy service to the Australian Surf Life Saving Association. Following the tragic drowning of “one of their own” at the National Championships several years ago, Terry was asked by SLSA to assist in securing a chaplain for any club in Australia that requests one. He now co-ordinates the work of 17 clubs with chaplains around Australia. In his home state of Queensland, all 57 clubs have access to a Chaplain--and the number of clubs with chaplains is growing. Terry looks forward to the day when other nations see the need for chaplains in this community service where tragedy in water is an “all-too-frequent” occurrence.

Besides co-ordinating the Chaplaincy nationally, Terry is Chaplain of the Southport Surf Life Saving Club and the South Coast Branch Chaplain. Maureen relates well to club members and is extremely supportive in the National ministry. Together they have traveled widely with Maureen as co-driver and “sanity keeper”. Terry defines the role, “We are primarily a pastoral care service to Life Savers, but occasionally are called upon for memorial services and “scattering of ashes” of a favorite beach.” Being with people in times of grief has resulted in a number of lives being saved.

A number of young people have come to faith in Christ through Terry and Maureen’s genuine love and service. This is a joy to them. Terry modestly mentions, “It is also gratifying to rescue those swept out to sea. In early 2004, I had the pleasure of swimming out and 'bringing one in' in some unusual heavy conditions. The term life saving is appropriate to our work on the beach both spiritually and aquatically.” Jesus has become personal to other life savers in some of the most unusual and varied locations…an IRB (rubber duckie) 200 metres from shore…standing on the beach near the red and yellow patrol flag watching the bathers…sitting under the beach tower. Terry says there are many things about salvation that you don’t need to explain to a Life Saver--they engage in similar activity daily.

For over 15 years now, Terry and Maureen have been instrumental in facilitating a “sunrise service” at every one of the Surf Life Saving National Championships. They also have a prominent ministry tent at the national and many state Life Saving Championships.

Terry and Maureen are well-known, well-loved, and well-respected by the entire life saving community. They frequently provide services on the floating church at Surfer’s Paradise (see picture). They were asked at the 2004 Championships if they would provide a similar service at the World Championships in Italy in September, 2004.  Terry’s dream of chaplains in “surf” worldwide is becoming a reality.