February 23, 2010
Thousands are now in Vancouver, British Columbia attending the 2010 Winter Olympic Games cheering for their favorite athlete as they compete for gold. Many news headlines, however, have been less than flattering reporting all that has gone wrong during the Olympics - from overflowing ice cleaning machines, cancelled event tickets and the death of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili in a training run, just hours before the Olympic cauldron was even lit.
Radical Hospitality
But as the games continue, it is the friendliness, helpfulness and generosity tens of thousands of volunteers who are winning the hearts of the international athletes and guests.
"It's about radical hospitality," says Karen Reed, Executive Director of More Than Gold (MTG), a network of Christian faith community who has recruited and trained thousands of volunteers for the games.
"Whether we are serving free coffee to people waiting in line-ups, or offering directions and free maps to guests looking for Olympic events, we want everyone to feel generously served."
The strategy appears to be working. Reed reports that the locals and visitors on the street have been extremely grateful for the more than 160,000 cups of hot drinks served in the first three days by More Than Gold, as well as the warm conversation and helpful interactions. More Than Gold has already received commendations from TransLink, the Vancouver City Police, the RCMP, Vancouver City Hall, North Vancouver City Hall, Richmond City Hall and VANOC about the difference their service is making in adding calm and friendliness to a sometimes harried environment.
As an expression of "radical hospitality," some church members have even opened their homes offering free housing to Olympic travelers. Churches are making their facilities available for prayer, as well as places to simply rest and relax.
"We are thrilled to be able to show hospitality to guests from around the world," says More Than Gold executive director Karen Reed. "It is such a great opportunity to warm the hearts of athletes, officials, and spectators who are visiting our great country."
Ministry Impact
The creationist ministry Answers in Genesis (AIG) are among dozens of organizations with volunteers serving the large international sports competition. The global arm of AiG, "Answers Worldwide," has conducted similar outreaches at previous Olympic Games, beginning in 1996 at the Atlanta Summer Olympics and then later at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. At the Athens Summer Olympics in 2004, nearly 200 individuals came to faith in Christ and 5 new churches were started as a result of the AIG Olympics Outreach.
"The Olympics provide a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Scripture's mission challenge to take the gospel to the whole world," said Dr. David Crandall, International Director of Answers Worldwide.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, a nationwide network of crisis-trained chaplains across 40 states, has hundreds of volunteer chaplains working in Vancouver and Whistler. The chaplains and teams are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations like last month's earthquake in Haiti, but shifted to a lighter focus at the Games. Billy Graham's Rapid Response Team also trained MTG volunteers to minister to individuals at the Olympics in crisis and non-crisis settings.
During the first week of the games, some 50 inner city teens and 10 mentors from the US converged on the O-zone (Olympic zone in downtown Vancouver) to experience art promoting drug-free and joy-filled life. The art exhibit visit is part of their weeklong Olympic experience.
"It's been the trip of a lifetime for these underprivileged youth," says Andy Harrington of Youth Unlimited, who is hosting the visit, along with Youth for Christ Canada.
