by Dave Hampton, Christians in Sport
The Olympic Games inspire nations with stories of sport like nothing else. During London 2012 and Rio 2016, hundreds of churches across the UK ran events to share Jesus with those in their local communities, with many also making the most of online opportunities during the postponed Tokyo 2020 games.
And this summer promises to be no different, in fact we’re expecting it to be bigger than ever when it comes to engaging thousands of sportspeople with the good news of Jesus during the Paris Olympics, as well as UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
Christians in Sport exists to reach the world of sport for Christ and we have worked hard to produce a downloadable pack full of content to help churches, sports clubs and individuals make the most of a rich summer of opportunity.
The pack, released in April 100 days before the Olympic opening ceremony, is available for a small donation and includes:
- Two quizzes focused on football and the summer events
- A creative video talk with evangelist Graham Daniels using the story of Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire), 100 years since his famous race.
- A short animated spoken word sharing the gospel through the Eric Liddell story
- Two Testimony films from a former Olympian and Paralympian
- Olympic church service guide
- School assembly and lesson guide
We have also partnered with 10ofThose to produce a short book and tract, sharing the gospel through the story of Eric Liddell which can be purchased on 10ofThose.com. And we’re supporting Searchlight Theatre and their play – Eric Liddell: Chariot of Fire, as they perform on tour in churches around the UK.
Liddell’s legacy of Christian witness in sport remains powerful, 100 years on from Paris 1924. Our hope is that the thousands of sportspeople who engage with his story at an evangelistic event this summer will be compelled to consider Christ for themselves, and that Christians will be encouraged as they hold out the gospel to sportspeople this summer.
You can request the Sports Mission pack today at www.christiansinsport.org.uk/2024
You can also find out more about how to share your faith through sport by coming along to Canopy where Christians in Sport will be running an afternoon seminar!
