The referring partner
Identifies or refers a family through an existing relationship, protects privacy, and remains available for appropriate follow-up.
Fort Walton Beach · Destin · The Emerald Coast
Connecting people to a Day of Hope on the water.
East Pass Ministries brings local churches, watersports companies, volunteers, and community supporters together to provide fully sponsored Day of Hope boating experiences that give individuals and families time to rest, reconnect, and make a positive memory.
No cost to participantsChristian hospitality without pressureSafety and dignity first
The water is the setting. Relationship is the bridge. Christ-centered service is the purpose.
Who we are
We connect people, churches, and local partners through a shared day on the water.
East Pass Ministries is a developing, non-denominational Christian outreach ministry serving Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and surrounding Emerald Coast communities.
Our purpose is to connect individuals and families with restorative experiences on the water while building bridges to faith, community support, and long-term hope.
We are not a boat-rental company, a church, or a replacement for professional care. We serve as the operational bridge between people who need encouragement and the churches, local businesses, volunteers, and community resources willing to help.
One family. One carefully planned day.
One community working together to say, “You have not been forgotten.”
What is a Day of Hope?
A Day of Hope brings people together for rest, recreation, and connection on the water.
A Day of Hope is a fully sponsored, three- to four-hour boating experience for an individual or family referred through a trusted church or community relationship. It offers room to breathe, spend meaningful time together, share a meal, receive encouragement, and make a good memory during a difficult season.
A relaxed cruise through Destin Harbor and East Pass
Dolphin or wildlife viewing
Swimming or shoreline recreation when safe
Time near Crab Island, a sandbar, or another approved location
Food, snacks, cold water, and refreshments
Unhurried conversation and genuine hospitality
Optional prayer or faith-based encouragement
Connection to appropriate support after the trip
Every itinerary remains flexible and subject to weather, water conditions, vessel rules, participant needs, and the approved operator’s final safety judgment.
Who we serve
A Day of Hope is for individuals and families who could use time to reconnect on the water.
Day of Hope is not about labels. These examples simply help trusted church and community partners recognize people who may welcome a thoughtful day together.
01
Families navigating financial or housing uncertainty
02
Grief, loss, or a major family change
03
A hospitalization or serious illness
04
Recovery or supporting a loved one in recovery
05
A loved one’s incarceration
06
Single-parent families
07
Veterans and first-responder families
08
A major transition at home
09
A season of isolation or discouragement
During the pilot phase, experiences will be limited and coordinated through trusted church or community relationships so each request can be handled responsibly.
What you can expect
We make each Day of Hope personal, welcoming, and thoughtfully planned.
The questionnaire is the first step. It is not a reservation or a guarantee, but it gives us the information needed to begin the right conversation.
Begin the questionnaire- 01
Complete the questionnaire
Tell us whether you are requesting an experience, referring someone, representing an organization, or interested in helping.
- 02
A personal follow-up
East Pass Ministries or the referring partner will review the request and contact the primary person listed.
- 03
Plan the day together
If an experience can be arranged, we coordinate the date, vessel, weather plan, food, forms, and individual needs.
- 04
Enjoy the experience
Guests are welcomed as honored guests, receive a clear safety briefing, and enjoy a day shaped around their family.
- 05
Stay connected
We follow up after the outing and, when welcomed, help continue the relationship through church or community support.
Our promise to every family
Every participant is welcomed as an honored guest.
East Pass Ministries is openly Christian, but Day of Hope is offered as hospitality—not as a condition-based religious program. The aim is to demonstrate the love of Christ through generosity, safety, compassion, service, and continued relationship.
- Prayer may be offered, but it will never be forced.
- Participants do not have to attend a particular church.
- No testimony, review, photograph, or public story is required.
- Identifying information is never shared without specific permission.
- Personal information is limited to what is needed for planning and safety.
- The vessel owner and approved operator retain final safety authority.
HGB
Henry Gavin Bruns
Founder, East Pass Ministries
Why East Pass Ministries was created
I founded East Pass Ministries to serve Christ by serving others.
My experience in Destin’s watersports industry gave me a practical way to bring people together. My faith in Jesus Christ gave that work a deeper purpose: to love my neighbors through service, generosity, and genuine relationship.
Through my own failures and the grace I have received, I learned the importance of being met with dignity, accountability, and compassion. The people and families I met through those experiences shaped my commitment to give back to this community.
I created East Pass Ministries to put that commitment into action. Day of Hope brings my experience on the water into a ministry centered on Christian hospitality, time together, and meaningful connection. Our purpose is to honor Christ in how we welcome people, steward our resources, and serve each family.
“Christ’s love is the foundation of this ministry. We put that love into action through the welcome we extend, the dignity we uphold, and the care we give. A Day of Hope is our commitment to serve our neighbors with the generosity and compassion Christ calls us to show.”
How the partnership works
Local relationships bring each Day of Hope to life.
East Pass Ministries
Coordinates family communication, scheduling, the itinerary, food, supplies, forms, hospitality, and post-trip review.
The watersports partner
Provides an approved vessel and operating window, confirms the operator and safety equipment, and retains final authority over vessel use.
Community supporters
May help with meals, transportation, supplies, hospitality, prayer, sponsorship, or other approved needs as the pilot develops.
The first step
Take the first step toward a Day of Hope.
The questionnaire is for individuals and families, people making a referral, churches or community organizations exploring a partnership, and local businesses, volunteers, or supporters interested in helping.
Begin the Day of Hope questionnaire
You do not need to have every detail figured out before you begin.
East Pass Ministries is in its founding and pilot-development phase. Submitting the questionnaire is not an emergency-service request, a reservation, or a guarantee of financial, material, or program assistance. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing an emergency, call 911.
Questions, answered
Here is what to know before a Day of Hope.
Is a Day of Hope free?
Yes. The experience is designed to be fully sponsored. Participants are not charged and are not asked to donate.
Do participants have to be Christian?
No. East Pass Ministries is openly Christian, and prayer or faith-based encouragement may be offered, but participation is voluntary and respectful.
Is this an open boat rental or public group event?
No. Day of Hope is a carefully coordinated experience for a referred individual or family. Trip size, vessel, location, date, and activities are determined through the planning and safety process.
What if someone cannot swim or has never been on a boat?
Water comfort and swimming ability help the team plan safely; they do not automatically disqualify someone. Life-jacket requirements and final activity decisions remain under the approved operator’s authority.
Is a trip guaranteed after the questionnaire is submitted?
No. The questionnaire begins the conversation. Experiences depend on the referral process, partner availability, funding, vessel capacity, weather, safety requirements, and limited pilot capacity.
Does Day of Hope replace professional help?
No. It may help connect someone with a church or appropriate community resource, but it does not replace pastoral care, counseling, medical care, recovery treatment, financial assistance, or other professional services.
Now preparing the first Day of Hope pilot
We are starting small so the ministry model can be tested responsibly before it is expanded.