OLYMPIC TRAINING PREPARES MISSIONARIES TO MAKE MOST OF GAMES
THEY HAVE COME to Perth from five countries to start training for next year's Olympics - but their sights are on the crowds rather than the finishing tape.
While athletes around the world are gearing up for Sydney's 2000 Games, several missionaries are taking time to learn how to make the most of the opportunity presented by the global gathering for presenting the gospel.
A six-month course has been designed to help make sure that one of the big evangelistic campaigns being planned for the Olympics - which is expected to draw thousands of short-term participants from many different countries - is run as effectively as possible. The aim is to match enthusiastic involvement with excellent organization.
The Youth With A Mission workers from Indonesia, Singapore, Switzerland, South Africa and Australia have enrolled in the Event Management and Performing Arts School, which started last month.
"Global events like the Olympics draw people from all over the world, and they provide a tremendous opportunity to present the gospel," said training center director Shirley Brownhill. "One powerful event, done well, can have far-reaching consequences. But there needs to be a real level of professionalism to reap the maximum benefit."
During their training, the students are learning about production and networking, and how to plan and manage events. They are also studying management techniques and a biblical view of performing arts and cross-cultural communication.
YWAM has fielded large evangelistic teams at each Olympics since 1972. Full-time staff are joined by short-term volunteers in sharing their faith through drama, music and friendship-making among the crowds and visiting athletes. Organizers hope to draw up to 8,000 participants next year.
The YWAM outreach is part of a wider campaign at the Games being arranged by Quest Australia, an umbrella group representing local churches and other Christian organizations.
The skills developed during the EMPAS program will be used after the Olympics, too. "We want to be able to go to other countries in the Asia and Pacific region and stage productions that present the message of salvation," said school leader Aleni Rivers.
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