Story
Sailing to Renew: A Living Waters Journey
After being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, I found myself at a crossroads—one that demanded deep healing of body, mind, and soul. When my doctor told me I was done drinking for life, it wasn’t just a medical directive; it was a calling to reimagine how I wanted to live and serve going forward.
Out of this season of reflection and recovery, Sailing to Renew was born—a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people battling addiction chart a new course in life. Our mission is to provide healing, hope, and transformation through extended 2–4 week sailing journeys aboard my vessel, The Way.
These journeys remove participants from the environments that may be holding them back and immerse them in a setting of clarity, challenge, and peace—on the open water. Through the rhythms of sailing, daily routines, and life aboard, we teach hands-on skills: seamanship, outdoor living, nutrition, hydration, and care for the body. We also offer the living water of the soul—time for Bible study, reflection, and conversations rooted in grace and renewal.
This is A Living Waters Journey—one that doesn’t promise easy answers, but does promise forward motion. Through wind and wave, scripture and stillness, we seek healing. Together.
*Donations and the purchase of this merch will be used to help fund the trips for people whom I aim to serve. (Pay for their plane tickets, hotels, or whatever it takes to start the journey with me.)
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
- Matt Peoples