World Sport Ministries Olympic Plans - Can You and Your Church Take Part?
Judging by the London 2012 official blog preparations for next year are right on track! and the end result promises to be a spectacle of sporting prowess and competition to remember! But its not only London that is preparing! Emma spoke to World Sport Ministries' Director, Grant Sheppard to find out what Olympic fun he has in store for all ages..
And the question is how can you NOT get involved?
(PICTURES: GRANT SHEPPARD, MORE THAN GOLD, THE STADIUM, LONDON 2012 LOGO, WSM LOGO, OLYMPICS GRAPHIC)
How are things going with WSM?
Pretty good thanks. WSM Bath has now completed 40 outreach event
s to date for the year reaching children, teenagers and adults through sport in the community. Centrally, WSM is partnering with many as part of More Than Gold to help begin many more sports outreach teams throughout the country in time for the Olympics and paralympics.
What have been the highlights of the past year?
In Bath, seeing the city team grow in numbers, leaders, churches represented and influence through events. Our children's sports and activity camp 'Get Sported' has been brilliant with a strong team ministering and having fun with 100 children a day during summer and Easter.
We have seen many young people begin their adventure with Jesus and we have given away heaps of sports new Testaments.
What are your plans linked with the Olympics?
Many. More Than Gold is the official Christian response to the 2012 Games; WSM is helping by producing resources and offering training for churches to work 
together in communities and begin Community Sports Teams where they can then stage an event or two that can impact people through the fever of the Games.
We are believing God that as many as 100 new sports mission teams can be established nation wide. We are also leading a nation wide school mission called School Games where churches take a small team into a school and deliver a great programme for a day; again there should be hundreds of these occurring next year reaching thousands of young people.
Would you like to appeal for churches to get involved?
Absolutely. Now is the time to register interest and every church can make a difference. Each church could have a 'Champion' that could link with us so that we can share ideas and prayerfully support one another.
At all past major sports events, churches in the host nation who didn't get involved have real regret because the fever will sweep the nation like it or not. 8
3% of the UK population are expected to watch the opening ceremony; that could mean 83% of Bath and surrounding areas could be engaged with in homes or through festivals that night.
The Olympics do bring a huge opportunity to reach out next year, but more importantly it can be the catalyst to start ongoing effective ministry so that in 2013, 2014 and beyond, amazing engagement and outreach is still occurring through sport and leisure because it doesn't go away.
What do you need as a project/charity right now to help make things happen?
We need much prayer, financial support and more churches to be represented on our City team so that we can serve them and plan together.
Are you looking for ideas? People? Leaders?
Yes, the more people involved, the more prayer and inspiration from God there will be. So much could be done next year and beyond if we could unite and grow in this together.
What sports might you have in the WSM activities?
A variety of events can be created but we expect to see School Missions, Community tournaments in various sports for various ages, street festivals, event screenings, Games pastors, athlete family hosting and more.
Who would it be aimed at; children, teens?
Adults, children and teens - sport influences all!
What would you like to say to people about getting involved with this project?
We are unlikely to get anything like the Olympic Games in our lifetime - so when it's gone, it's gone.
Even if you don't know what you could do, we need you to represent your church and add value to the process. Bath and beyond can be seriously impacted with amazing events through the fever of the games, but we need people to join in and run the race.
Anything else you'd like to add?
We have a Bath Community Sports Team which exists to partner with churches and reach communities, please contact us to see how you can get involved to either pray, participate or provide - or all three!