Alabama Baptists join Olympic ministry efforts

Alabama Baptists are among Southern Baptist volunteers who are strengthening the cause of Christ at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece.

While the athletes have gold on their minds Baptists are springing off that idea to the truth that there is “More than Gold” to life, a theme adopted by Southern Baptists for Olympic games.

“More than Gold” volunteers share their faith boldly on the streets and on public transportation. Southern Baptists have been everywhere people are gathered to share the gospel in a natural and relevant way. And because of that culture of openness, people listen, said WMU officials.

WMU’s ministry International Initiatives is sponsoring three specific volunteer opportunities in Athens through Aug. 31. Volunteers will participate in hospitality ministries, ballooning and in general evangelism.

The volunteers will work alongside the Greek evangelical church, supporting its members as they witness in their own communities and as they develop new ministries for their people.

Also making an impact in Greece is “True Love Waits,” an initiative launched by LifeWay Christian Resources. In Athens the millions of commitment cards already signed by young people from around the world will be displayed on Aug. 22.

More than 500 International Mission Board volunteers are welcoming athletes and spectators at welcome centers they’ve set up, engaging in street and café evangelism, training national Baptists and conducting sports clinics.

Also ministering in Greece are 31 volunteers from the Atlanta-based International Sports Federation (ISF). The athlete-missionaries are capitalizing on interest in the Olympic games to reach local residents, said Sarah Beth, director of the ISF’s missions mobilization unit. She explained they are conducting clinics in volleyball, basketball and baseball for the people of Greece.

She said their ministry to lead Greeks to a personal relationship with Jesus will be challenging, noting that 98 percent of Greeks count themselves in the Greek Orthodox, which she said is “not about a personal relationship with Christ, but about culture.”     (Wire services)