Deeply Committed to Christ

Q: What do you call it when sports chaplains from Norway, Austria, Canada, Russia, Australia, and the United States are all together in one room?

A: It's either a corny joke or it must be the Olympics!

;-)



The men and women I am serving with as chaplains are deeply committed to Christ. They have strong faith in Jesus, are grounded in the Bible, and have lives that have been transformed by the gospel. They have a desire to minister to athletes, volunteers, coaches... everyone. It is quite encouraging to realize how God is at work through sports ministry all over the world. It is quite a privilege from the Lord to be here in Whistler serving as a chaplain during the Games.

Continue to pray for the athletes. One athlete received news that his grandfather - who has been gravely ill - passed away yesterday. Many athletes are battling injuries. Some are battling the flu. All are trying to stay focused on the task at hand - their competitions - with lots of distractions all around. The Christian athletes are seeking to be a witness for Christ through everything they do and say.

Pray for God to draw people to Himself.

Continue to pray for all those who are participating in the activities surrounding the Games: bus drivers, volunteers, security, food staff, cleaning staff, officials, spectators, venue staff, and media, just to name a few. Pray for God to impact lives and to reveal Himself as the one who died to redeem us all, and who offers salvation to all who will put their trust in Him.

A few final thoughts and prayer requests from today:

I was excited to hear from one of the chaplains what the Lord is doing in Norway through sports ministry and outreach. I want to hear more and to learn from him.

Pray that the Lord will guide our steps in the Village each day, that we chaplains will be exactly where the Lord wants us to be at all times, ready to minister in His name.

Every day brings new conversations, new challenges, new opportunities. Pray that in our hearts we believers will set apart Jesus as Lord, and that we will be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give a reason for the hope that we have, and that we will do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).