Chandler Brownlee stood atop a cluster of rocks protruding from a secluded stretch of Costa Rican beach, Bible in hand, gazing at one of the world’s most coveted surfing waves.

He was on the hunt — not for the perfect wave (that’s always a given), but for surfers who were ready to accept Jesus Christ as their savior.

Born and raised in Florida, Mr. Brownlee, 52, is a real estate agent, an avid wildlife conservationist and the father of three daughters.

But he is also two other things that can seem contradictory: a former Baptist minister and a hardcore tatted-up surfer. Those identities combine to make him a senior member of the Christian Surfers organization, an international group of missionaries who love to surf.

As dusk fell, he watched the tide calm and surfers retreat to the shore. Walking away from the beach, he came across three sunburned Canadians hanging out in their beat-up R.V., sharing a joint.