Olympics draw outreach teams
The’ Ultimate Gold outreach’ was a huge team effort in the extensive grounds of St. John’s Church Stratford where ‘Almost everyone on the teams led people to Christ.’ The outreach partnership brought together St John’s Church, Through Faith Mission, OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) and a range of some twenty other East London churches providing something on offer for the constant number of people who used a public footway which runs through the church grounds. Throughout the afternoon and evening the Gospel message was preached by painting on sketch boards, singing, acts of creative object lessons, escapology, acrobats, dancers puppet shows, offering prayer in a prayer tent, taking ‘The God Test’, in which people were asked their views on either the existence of God or His nature, and a faith survey. There were many openings to have conversations about the Gospel, as both local people and visitors took the opportunity to sit and relax in the sunshine with free tea, coffee and cold drinks provided.’
Praise: God for the 160 people who chose to follow Christ and the 60 who made re-commitments. Pray also for the team members who are busy preparing to assist St John’s Church during the Paralympics. (Php.2:10,11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/olympics.draw.international.outreach.team/30544.htm
Olympics draw outreach teams
The’ Ultimate Gold outreach’ was a huge team effort in the extensive grounds of St. John’s Church Stratford where ‘Almost everyone on the teams led people to Christ.’ The outreach partnership brought together St John’s Church, Through Faith Mission, OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) and a range of some twenty other East London churches providing something on offer for the constant number of people who used a public footway which runs through the church grounds. Throughout the afternoon and evening the Gospel message was preached by painting on sketch boards, singing, acts of creative object lessons, escapology, acrobats, dancers puppet shows, offering prayer in a prayer tent, taking ‘The God Test’, in which people were asked their views on either the existence of God or His nature, and a faith survey. There were many openings to have conversations about the Gospel, as both local people and visitors took the opportunity to sit and relax in the sunshine with free tea, coffee and cold drinks provided.’
Praise: God for the 160 people who chose to follow Christ and the 60 who made re-commitments. Pray also for the team members who are busy preparing to assist St John’s Church during the Paralympics. (Php.2:10,11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/olympics.draw.international.outreach.team/30544.htm
Paralympics: Athletes with learning disabilities to compete
It’s been 12 years since athletes with learning disabilities competed in The Paralympic games. This year British athletes with learning disabilities will compete in athletics, swimming and table tennis, and they may compete in more events in Rio 2016. National sports manager from Mencap said, ‘A learning disability is an unseen disability and can be more difficult to understand in a sporting environment. A learning disability affects the way someone's brain works. So in sport it might affect their ability to think strategically or in running it might be the way they pace themselves during a race.’ Paralympic swimmer Dan Pepper struggles to remember how many lengths he has done or which stroke he is doing, but said he has coping strategies to overcome the problem. He said, ‘I'm quite different to most other swimmers’ they like to be really rested but I like to swim quite hard before I race.’ For insights into understanding adults with special needs go to http://www.prospects.org.uk/
Pray: for people to have a greater understanding of how to value and support people with learning disabilities so that they live their lives to the full. (Ecc.7:8)
First Paralympic opening night Community Festival at Stoke Mandeville
Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic movement, is to host the world's first Paralympic opening night community festival. According to a news release, the event will feature adults and children of different abilities having fun together. The free event, from 6pm to 10 pm on Aug. 29 marks the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Between three to five thousand people will experience huge inflatable games, opportunities to try Paralympic sports, a multi-sensory zone, art and craft activities, puppets and giant bubbles. The news release said the opening ceremony will be shown on a big screen, accompanied by a free barbeque. The organizers are the Aylesbury Churches Network, comprising 14 churches of different denominations. The group is also underwriting the costs and providing at least 200 volunteers on the night. The Aylesbury churches are working with More Than Gold, the agency helping churches use the Games to serve its communities and visitors.
Pray: that the festival will bring a wonderful spirit of unity with those of different abilities sharing together. (Php.2:1-2)
