ABOUT US
What We Do
Purpose Bound is a non-profit Christian ministry organization that offers unique travel experiences designed to accelerate the spiritual growth of its participants. Our core experiences are weekend and week-long sailing excursions that combine the elements of a retreat, a mission trip, and a travel adventure living on a sailboat and exploring the mainland…
Participants engage in discussion-based studies, and enjoy prayer, worship and personal reflection time in a beautiful ocean setting. We venture into the heart of local poverty, where participants serve and engage in hands-on mission work. Participants also experience area life and culture, and have the opportunity to see God’s creation up close through hiking, snorkeling, sailing and more. Individuals and smaller groups can select from our scheduled trips for 7-10 participants, and groups of any size can have a custom-designed trip created just for them.
Coastal Southern California and the Caribbean were specifically chosen as the perfect locales for our program for several reasons. Leaving routine, familiarity and distractions far behind, participants step into an environment highly conducive to their growth as Christians. The natural beauty of these areas provide the perfect setting for the uninterrupted time of introspection, inspiration, rejuvenation and transformation needed for deep spiritual growth. At the same time, these areas allow participants to experience a wide variety of cultural diversity, paralleling that found in poverty stricken nations around the world. These special places where land, sky and ocean meet provide many other unique experiential learning options. Both of these areas are conveniently accessed from the U.S., and in terms of international travel, the Caribbean islands we visit are considered very safe.
Overall, each Purpose Bound trip is designed to be a life-changing experience resulting in significant personal growth and development as a Christian. By impacting participants, we hope they will be better prepared to impact others. At its core, our goals are to help each participant discover or re-discover their life purpose, mobilize them to action within the Christian service community, and create lasting connections with fellow believers. Ultimately, it is our prayer that each participant undergo deep transformation and lasting change. Our mission will be accomplished if each participant returns home completely committed to leading a life of purpose, and prepared to immediately put to use their unique gifts and talents for God’s kingdom work.
Who We Are
Purpose Bound is led by a small group of strong believers who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and who feel called to help others fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This group possesses a synergistic mix of education, experience and Christian ministry involvement that includes titles like director of global orphan care, high school ministry leader, Christian elementary school teacher and Christian music producer. Formally, we operate as Purpose Bound, Inc., an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a slate of three directors: Sam Ciatu, Alan Zeigler, and Ashley Ciatu. Sam Ciatu serves as the organization’s President and Executive Director…
Sam Ciatu is a multi-faceted and seasoned business professional experienced in a variety of disciplines stemming from his marketing, law and tax law degrees. Along with his corporate law practice background, he brings to the organization experience in marketing, management, finance, public relations, event management, investor relations, tax matters, web design, IT, and entrepreneurial start-ups. In addition to his law practice, his more recent activities have included serving as the Executive Director of a semi-private non-profit engaged in global orphan care, and serving as Chief Operating Officer of a multi-faceted charitable organization.
Sam spent 29 years of his professional life in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was saved and began attending Scottsdale Bible Church. There, he became heavily involved in the high school ministry, served as a children’s camp counselor and served in the singles ministry. In 2006, he built a Christian recording studio and indie record label, and was involved in local Christian concert promotion. He relocated to Southern California in early 2011 to be near his recently graduated daughter in L.A. and to explore new career directions where his skills and experience could be used for more meaningful purposes.
Given up for adoption by his single mother at birth, Sam has always had a special place in his heart for fellow orphans and other impoverished children, particularly those not blessed with a wonderful adoptive family and opportunities like he was. Sam also fell in love with the people of the Caribbean in over a dozen visits there over the years, and has always felt led to serve there in some way. Thus was born the vision of Purpose Bound.
Sam currently splits his time between Scottsdale, Arizona, and Laguna Beach, California. He is a member of Saddleback Church in Orange County, where he has been involved in several ministries. He enjoys spending time with his daughter and her husband as well as other family and friends in both California and Arizona, and regularly partakes of fitness and outdoor activities.
Statement of Faith
Simply stated, we adhere to mainstream evangelical Christian beliefs based on the Holy Bible – no more and no less. If you are familiar with the statements of faith of churches like Saddleback and Harvest, or the teachings of Billy Graham, Greg Laurie, and Rick Warren, then you know what we believe. That said, here is our humble attempt to outline our basic beliefs…
About God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
About Man
Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like him in character. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is born with an inherent attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.” This attitude separates man from God.
About Eternity
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are places of eternal existence.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift of grace from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works – only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.
About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under his control daily.
About The Bible
The Bible is God’s word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
About Baptism
Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Baptism does not save you, but shows the world that you have already been saved. And while baptism is not required for salvation, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.
About Communion
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us and to symbolize the new covenant. The elements of bread and wine or juice are symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation. Rather, it is a testament of a believer’s faith in the atoning work of the cross.
Join Our Team
Purpose Bound is always interested in talking with solid Christian leaders who would like to become a part of the team. Two primary roles are filled for each and every sailing experience: the Trip Leader, an internship position, and the Vessel Skipper, a paid position. Both of these positions are described below. Administrative positions may also be posted on this site from time to time.
Trip Leader Internship
The internship position we offer to serve as Trip Leader is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You will live and work on a sailing vessel in a beautiful locale, serving as trip leader and trainer as well as facilitator of all missions work, shore excursions and water sports. You will also serve as the Vessel Skipper’s sailing “mate”, sharing cooking and other simple tasks benefitting program participants. While this position is non-paying, we cover the costs of your travel to and from the departure port, as well as room and board before, after and during the voyage. The chosen candidate(s) for this position will have exceptional leadership skills and significant experience speaking in front of groups of fellow believers. This position is ideal for a recent seminary/bible school graduate; a youth, college or young adult pastor; or an experienced lay leader. Familiarity with “purpose driven life” and “S.H.A.P.E.” principles is required. The internship is designed to last for multiple voyages, so a flexible schedule is required.
Vessel Skipper
Our Vessel Skipper is a paid position with compensation based on a per-voyage basis. The cost of your travel to and from our departure port is also provided, as is room & board for the duration of the journey. This position is for an experienced professional sailor only, and one who understands that the safety and security of those on board is their first priority. The minimum requirements for this position are either a United States Coast Guard Captain’s License or an International Yachmasters Certification, along with a significant and demonstrable track record of skippering charters or full-time sailing vessels. In addition, our Vessel Skipper must have an active CPR certification from the U.S. Red Cross, as well as a first aid certificate. The Vessel Skipper must be capable of basic vessel maintenance, including engines and electronics. You will work hand-in-hand with the Trip Leader in readying the vessel for the journey, purchasing food and other supplies, assisting with program participant transfers, performing cooking, cleaning the vessel, and willingly handling all other tasks on- or off-vessel necessary to provide program participants the utmost voyage experience. Tourism and hospitality industry experience would be a plus. When not piloting the vessel, the Vessel Skipper is also expected to participate or assist in program training, mission service and other voyage activities. The Vessel Skipper must be a U.S. citizen.
Core Values of All Team Members
At Purpose Bound, we recognize that certain core values need to be present to stay true to our vision and mission. While there are many words that describe who we are and what we do, the following core values are shared by every member of the team:
Service Everything we do at Purpose Bound has a purpose and a reason. We are here to serve. We serve each other and we serve those we come in contact with. We want to be known as people of love and one of the ways we can clearly show love is by serving everyone we meet with the same kind of love God has shown all of us.
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10
Authenticity We believe that Christians should manifest authenticity with God, within themselves, and with others. An authentic life is characterized by personal integrity, honesty, wholeness, and genuine friendships. We seek to mold, shape and develop this idea of authenticity in and through Purpose Bound.
“Our lives in this world, and especially our relations with you, have been ruled by God-given frankness and sincerity.” 2 Corinthians 1:12
Excellence We believe that excellence honors God and inspires people from all walks of life. We aggressively seek excellence in all we do. From day one we will expect nothing but the very best God has given you. Whether it is leading participants or tending to the ordinary, we value bringing God our “A” game in all that we do.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” Colossians 3:23,24
Teamwork At Purpose Bound we believe in the power of teams. This is why everything we do as a staff and crew is done in a team–focused environment. We believe there is stronger potential for learning and ultimately a higher impact in teams.
“In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5
Support Our Ministry
“We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.” 3 John 1:8 (GW)
We are currently seeking an individual or team of ministry partners to assist with the following needs…
(1) Monthly tithe to support ministry leaders and cover certain other on-going administrative costs.
(2) Several one-time gift amounts to cover specific start-up costs.
(3) Mini-loans to cover the cost of boat charter deposits pending the receipt of participant trip fees.
(4) Donating the use of a home, condo, office or sailboat docked in or near the Virgin Islands or St. Martin or in the Orange County or L.A. area.
If you share our heart for the concept of this ministry and feel led to consider some form of financial support, simply contact us and we will provide you further details about our needs.
For the convenience of those with whom we’ve already spoken, you can make an online donation here. (We appreciate checks for larger donations so as to avoid credit card fees.)
*Legal Notice: This is simply a notification of ministry needs to a limited audience of fellow Christians who are inclined to seek out and support ministries like this, and is not a general or specific solicitation for donations from the general public.