That is the view of David Willson, CEO of More Than Gold, the parachurch organisation that has coordinated the church’s response to the Olympics.
‘Churches across the UK have stepped out to run events, large and small,’ David said. ‘And time after time they have experienced outstanding success – by way of the quality of what they have done and the numbers that turned up.’

‘The impact has been to raise the profile and credibility of churches in their communities, especially where they have joined hands to work together. This has given many a fresh confidence to take into the future.’

The experience of Gold Hill Baptist Church in Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, who organised a two-week festival called Run the Race (see News Round-up 25 July), appears to confirm Mr Willson’s view. Over 7,000 attended their Olympic opening ceremony celebration. During the Olympic fortnight there were daily events on Gold Hill Common including a children’s holiday club, vintage tea party for seniors, men’s and ladies’ nights and an ‘It’s a knockout’ competition for local businesses. Over 600 volunteers helped run the festival from local churches as well as churches in the United States that Gold Hill has links with.

According to Gold Hill’s lead pastor, Malcolm Duncan, attendance at all events exceeded expectations with over 100 making commitments to becoming Christians.

‘The Olympics gave a great impetus to people to engage with the community, to celebrate their community in a way I haven’t experienced previously’, he said.‘Literally thousands of people came up to me and said they had never seen anything like it and it made them proud to live in Chalfont St Peter. We were unapologetic about having Christ at the centre of the event and that had a real influence on it.’

On the evening of the Olympic men’s 100 metres final (5 August) before the race Gareth Wilde, from BMS World Mission, spoke to 400 people at a Run the Race Cafe Church meeting about BMS’s Paralympics resource Undefeated.

‘Hearing Gareth talk about the Undefeated resource and campaign and then watching Usain Bolt win the 100m final was a real juxtaposition that spoke powerfully to many about how we discriminate against disabled people,’ said Malcolm.

Mr Wilde is encouraging churches to now focus their attention on the Paralympics and feature it in their services during the Games which begin in London on 29 August.

‘As the Channel 4 advertising states, the Olympics were just a warm up for the Paralympics. I would encourage churches to get involved in this exciting event through the Undefeated resources and campaign,’ he said.

Photo courtesy of Graham Reading Photography