Olympics 2012

The Olympic Torch has arrived...it’s time to shine!

 In case you have been living on the moon let me draw your attention to the news that the Olympic Games are coming to London and the Olympic torch began it's awesome 70 day journey today.



 Preparation is well underway with the final touches going into the aquatic centre, basketball arena, velodrome and stunning Olympic stadium. The world’s foremost sports competition, with more than 200 nations participating, will not only impact London but the whole of the U.K.

 This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people across the U.K to not only enjoy but embrace the games and celebrate a competition that has roots going back to 776BC, transcending cultural and political backgrounds. The games have produced some unforgettable moments and characters: Jesse Owens, Bob Beamon, Carl Lewis, Steve Redgrave, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt to name a few. On a local level we can be tremendously proud of the achievements of Dame Mary Peters, Wayne McCullough and Wendy Houvenaghel amongst others. So who will be the shining stars of 2012?

 In addition to the Games, the Olympic torch will travel across the U.K incorporating a 4 day visit to Northern Ireland. There will be hundreds of festivals, street parties, concerts and twenty cities will have BBC live screens (Belfast City Hall). Friends tell me from experience that when the Olympics arrive it saturates television, newspapers, radio broadcasts and conversations everywhere and i am beginning to feel that already!

 Eph 5:15 says ‘make the most of every opportunity’ and the Olympics 2012 is a golden opportunity for Christians across the U.K to use initiative and reach out into their communities... That may sound good but what will we do? What resources are available? What experience do we need? Thankfully help is at hand through a fantastic organisation called More than Gold. Founded in 1996 to facilitate churches for the Atlanta Olympics, they have built up a wealth of experience working in the:

•  Commonwealth Games 
• Pan American Games 
• All-Africa Games 
•  Indian Ocean Games 
•  Olympic Games and
• Paralympics 

 So what has your church got planned as the touch visits your area? Does it pass the front of your Church? What have you got outreach events planned over the games?? For Northern Ireland it is my role as regional rep to facilitate you over the Olympics 2012. Give me a call at the office of drop me an e-mail and i will be happy to meet up with you or post out helpful information.

 Essentially More than Gold are here to be a one-stop-shop that helps churches seize the moment. Their mission To enable the UK churches to engage with the 2012 Games Their vision Thousands of churches to taste the excitement of reaching their community in fresh and ongoing ways in Jesus’ name More than Gold is here to help you:
 • catch the vision for the impact that can be made and the role that each of you can play
 • resource you with material and skills
 • help you plan events
 • make connections between the many agencies and thousands of churches participating
• coordinated the production of resources and action needed
 • plan for the arrival of the Olympic torch in your area.

 All too often churches are seen negatively; as out of touch and only interested in themselves. The 2012 Games provides a unique opportunity for UK churches to be seen for what they really are... a supernatural expression of God’s love in our community. By playing your part in the programmes of outreach and prayer, every church can help tell a different story and waken fresh interest in who it is that makes us different and how others can know Jesus for themselves.

 One very exciting initiative is called ‘A Time To Shine’: This is essentially a call to pray for our communities and the nations Under the theme A Time To Shine, we are inviting every church, group and organisation to explore creative ways to pray for all that will take place in the weeks leading up to, during and after the Games.

 The theme is drawn from Isaiah 60:1-5, which tells of God's light shining through us for the good of others. One very special opportunity for Northern Ireland to shine is as the Olympic Flame travels across our wee country. We would like churches to be a part of a 70 day cascade of prayer as the Olympic Torch Relay travels across the U.K. The concept is simple... everywhere the torch travels we get people praying.

 If you or your church would like to find out more about More than Gold or explore ways in which we can help, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Crown Jesus Office. For more information on More than Gold, visit www.morethangold.org.uk

 Onwards! Mitch
 www.crownjesus.org