In
February, more than 30,000 people from across the world are
expected to infiltrate Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic
Games. Although hosting the Olympics can be both a blessing
and a curse for a city with added busyness and increased
traffic, several Christian organizations from Canada are
choosing to be a blessing to locals and those attending the
games.
More Than
Gold – an organization that has been working closely in
direct communication with the Vancouver Olympics Committee –
is serving as the umbrella of Christian organizations
committed to faith-based outreach before, during, and after
the Olympic Games. With 15 denominations represented and
joining forces with 40 partners that include the Billy
Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, The Salvation
Army, and Youth for Christ among many others, the vision of
More Than Gold is to connect and coordinate the community in
working together on outreach initiatives and ultimately, to
extend a warm welcome to those visiting Vancouver for the
games.
Since the
games are predominantly an outdoor event with people
attending one or two venues, the organizers of the movement
hope to capitalize on the fact that many come for the larger
experience of excitement and patriotism.
"I hope
(the Olympics) is a catalyst for a movement of radical
hospitality which is the inclusive welcome of Jesus to all
that always involved the stranger," said Karen Reed,
executive director of More Than Gold.
The entire
More Than Gold movement is themed around radical hospitality
and several organizations will be collaborating and devoting
their time to volunteering initiatives. Through serving
coffee, creative and performance art stages, and engaging
people in spiritual conversations, Reed hopes More Than Gold
begins a "legacy that would continue of generous and lavish
hospitality that would mark the church," and a "growing
commitment to collaborate together in the diversity of the
body of Christ […] and link arms in a serious way to serve
the common good."
One
organization under the More Than Gold umbrella is the Billy
Graham Rapid Response Team in Canada which is attending the
Olympic Games for the first time. Though the team usually
works alongside Samaritan’s Purse providing spiritual and
emotional support to victims of natural and manmade
disasters such as floods, hurricanes, shootings and country
violence, they will be mobilizing 64 chaplains from the
Vancouver area to the Maritimes to be deployed as they are
needed throughout the city.
"What can
be a great event can also be stressful," said Melanie
Neufeld, manager for the Rapid Response Team in Canada who
resides in Vancouver. This is why the team of individuals
who have had in-depth training will be available in the case
of a crisis or bomb to provide support. If such situations
arise, they will help to defuse them so that
first-responders can focus on the job at hand.
Neufeld
also acknowledged that the increased traffic in Vancouver
during the games may be frustrating for locals, so they’ll
be available to encourage and converse with people who may
be stuck in line-ups or dealing with stressful personal
situations, to "be joy in the midst of chaos," she stated.
Having the
Olympics in Canada, said Neufeld, provides one with the
opportunity to share hope, love and the presence of God in a
non-crisis setting.
"Canada
does not have as many crises as the States, (so) we make the
best of good situations as well as bad," she explained. "It
is an opportunity to serve and be a blessing."
For more
information on More Than Gold and their partner
organizations, please visit
www.morethangold.ca
City Light News